Santa Ritas: Spring into 2013 @ Kent Springs

Length: 6.3 miles Out & Back
Elev gain: 1700'
Starting Elev - 5060'
Kent Springs Elev - 6720'
Rated: C - Intermediate
No dogs please

DEPART at 10:00 from Lowes on Valencia
If you wish to meet us at the TH, park at the amphitheater parking lot.

There are ONLY 14 parking spots at the Trail head.
The TH is directly across from the parking area.

Madera Canyon is a fee area - $5.00 per car.
These fees for recreational use will hopefully allow the Forest Service to continue to subsidize grazing leases and timber sales at their present generous levels.

Madera Canyon Trail Map (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Madera%20Canyon%20Trail%20Map.pdf)

Let's start the year out right with a leisurely hike up to Kent Springs in the Santa Rita Mountains.

Highlights of this hike include a lovely oak/juniper forest, giant quartzite boulders, huge old Arizona Sycamores, and, of course, some great views all the way to Kit Peak.

"Kent Springs is named for a colorful Forest Service Ranger named William H. Kent, nicknamed "Whiskey Highball" Kent.
Kent set the boundaries of several Southern Arizona Forest Reserves in the 1900s.
He was forever in trouble with his superiors for wearing a red bandanna instead of his official ranger hat. He often held staff meetings ad a spring in Madera Canyon that now bears his name." Source: A History of Madera Canyon Published by the Friends of Madera Canyon (http://www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org/).

We will take time for rest stops, lunch and taking in the views so expect to be out for around 3-4 hours minimum.

No rest rooms or water at the trail head.
Please come prepared with plenty of water, food, sunscreen, etc.

If you are new to the group or a beginner hiker please read these:
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/) General Info
Tips for Beginning Hikers - Sierra Club (http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/index.htm)

Here is a Madera Canyon Trail Map (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Madera%20Canyon%20Trail%20Map.pdf) with trails highlighted.

A road map to Madera Canyon is here (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d00803cef2bcd3ba8&msa=0).

For questions or more info call me at: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike