Note: Unless otherwise specified in an activity’s description, there is no need to contact the leader to sign up for the activity – just show up on time at the designated meeting spot.

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If you have pictures from your activities, please contact our webmaster, Greg at webmaster@azotc.com to get them posted on the website!

Cooler Weather is Here! It's time to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful fall weather that Arizona provides. Expect cool mornings and warm afternoons so dress accordingly; layers are great for big temperature swings. Don't forget to hydrate, even with the much welcomed cooler weather.

February

Friday, February 3, 2012 - Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner
RATING: Food and Fun
EVENT ORGANIZER: Grace Chen
SIGN-UP CO-ORDINATOR: Regina Miskewitz, regina_miskewitz@yahoo.com, 602-448-0684
TIME: 6:30 pm
This best attended AzOTC event in 2011 is back by popular demand!! Let's usher in the Year of the Dragon, with an authentic and sumptuous banquet at the Golden Buddha Restaurant at the Chinese Cultural Center. This is one feast you do not want to miss, just ask past attendees. Space limited to the first 40 reservations. Cost is $32 per person, including tax and tips (this DOES NOT include alcoholic beverages). Sign up begins at the December monthly meeting or by contacting Regina ONLY; DO NOT SIGN-UP WITH GRACE. Please pay by January 15 (checks payable to AzOTC).  

Saturday, February 4 - Superstition Ridgeline Hike and Scramble (Rescheduled from January 14)
RATING: A+ LENGTH: 12 mi ELEV GAIN: 4000+ ft
LEADER: Don Mowry 480 209-7963 dgmowry@gmail.com
Call hike leader for meeting location and time, and determination whether this hike is for you. The total hiker limit is 15. All hikers must be capable of an 8 hour strenuous hike over challenging terrain with good agility on the rock and ability to maintain a strong pace. We're climbing Siphon Draw and down Carney Springs. The views from the ridge are exceptional and will give you a new perspective on the majestic Superstition Ridgeline. Leather gloves and long, zip-off pants are strongly recommended. Bring rain gear, energy food and 3 to 4 liters of water and electrolytes. If the forecast calls for rain, and it looks ominous, the hike may be canceled because of dangerous slick rock conditions. Cost to non-members is $5.  

Saturday, February 4 - West Clear Creek Hike
Rating B- LENGTH: 9.5 mi Elev Gain: 800 ft Pace: Moderate
Leader: Bud Tasch 480 802-2836
Meet at 7:15 am (depart 7:30) at the Park N Ride, SW corner of Bell Rd & I-17. This is a beautiful off-season hike through a riparian area with red rock features involving 4 wet creek crossings each way. Water shoes, hiking sticks and a small hand towel are required. Hike will be cancelled in case of rain. No children please. Cost to non-members is $5.  

Monday, February 6 – Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft PACE: Fast
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 8:15 am (depart at 8:30) at the Loehman’s parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to nonmembers is $5.  

Tuesday, February 7 – Happy Hour Before the AzOTC Meeting at Papi Chulos in the Clarion Hotel
RATING: Fun Time: 5 pm
Organizers: Jeanie & Van 623 465-7440
Join other AzOTC members and guests before the meeting. $5 Happy Hour specials such as 3 street tacos or nachos or 3 mimi chimis. Frozen margaritas for $4 and Beer $3.50. You don’t even have to drive to the meeting after the Happy Hour just walk down the hall.  

Tuesday, February 7 – General Membership Meeting
6:45 pm, at the Scottsdale Clarion Hotel (5101 North Scottsdale Road - east side of Scottsdale Road just north of Chaparral.) Meeting starts at 6:45.
Have you ever encountered a bear while on a hike in the wilderness? What did you do? What should you have done? Join Tom Hron, a former flying floatplane and helicopter pilot in Alaska and Canada who learned about bear safety the hard way. Hear stories about Bush pilots and big game guides who had their airplanes, campsites and rafts destroyed by bears, motivating him to invent and patent a warning system. Learn why making noise and wearing bells does not scare bears away. This is one presentation you really don't want to miss.  

Wednesday, February 8 - Peralta Trail & Cave Trail Loop Hike (Superstitions)
RATING B LENGTH: 5+ mi ELEV GAIN: 1365 ft PACE: Moderate
LEADER: Jim D jimdale111@yahoo.com
Meet at 9:00 am (depart at 9:15) at the Burger King, just south of US 60 at the NE corner of Power Rd. and Superstition Springs Blvd. The Peralta Trail hike is one of the most popular trails in the Superstitions. There are panoramic views at Freemont Saddle, including Weaver's Needle. From Freemont Saddle, we will return on the Cave Trail, which is a more difficult, poorly defined trail on mostly rock surface, but it has great views of Peralta Canyon to the west and Barks Canyon to the east. The hike will take approx. 4 hours. Bring a minimum of 2 liters of water, electrolytes, lunch or snack, and $ for carpool. Wear hiking boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. Hike will be cancelled in case of rain. Cost to non-members is $5  

Saturday, February 11 – The Cave on Cave Creek Hike
RATING: C- LENGTH: 2+ miles ELEV. GAIN: minimal
LEADERS: Jeanie & Van 623-465-7440 with Land Trust Guide
Call leaders to sign up by Wednesday February 8 (Limit 20).
Ever wonder why it’s called Cave Creek? There is a cave that contains petroglyphs and carved signatures of Cavalry officers from a battle that occurred on Christmas Day 1873 between the Cavalry and Apache Indians. The cave is on private property and you can only go there with a Land Trust guide. The hike is not long but it is boulder hoping up Cave Creek and may include water crossings. $5 fee for non-members.  

Sunday, February 12 - Whitford Canyon Hike
RATING: C - LENGTH: 5 mi ELEV GAIN: 600 ft PACE: Leisurely
LEADER: Bonnie Tasch 480 802-2836 arizbunzer@msn.com
Meet at 8:45 am (depart at 9:00) at the Holiday Inn, east side parking area, just south of US 60 on Country Club Drive in Mesa. Whitford Canyon is a very scenic Rhyolite Canyon north of Picketpost Mountain and is part of the Arizona Trail. We will hike to an old settler's cabin ruins and grave, climb up to the top of a knoll to take a peek looking south and return. High clearance vehicles recommended for access. Possible lunch in Apache Junction following hike. Hike will be canceled in case of rain. $5 fee for non-members.  

Monday, February 13 – Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft PACE: Fast
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 8:15 am (depart at 8:30) at the Loehman’s parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to nonmembers is $5.  

Wednesday, February 15 – Battleship Mountain Loop Hike (Superstitions)
RATING: A-/B+ LENGTH: 11 mi ELEV GAIN: 2500 ft PACE: Moderate
LEADER: Dan Rothman 480 991-1647(h), 480 773-5197(c)
Meet at 8:00 am (depart 8:15) at the Holiday Inn at US 60 and Country Club Drive. We’ll carpool to the Canyon Lake Marina, and from there head out on the Boulder Canyon Trail to LaBarge Creek. The trek up LaBarge Canyon is beautiful, with Battleship Mountain looming to our right. We’ll eventually cross a ridge to Boulder Creek and take the Boulder Canyon Trail, with its numerous stream crossings, back to the trailhead, circling Battleship in the process. Our pace will be moderate, but there will be considerable rock scrambling. Great views across the Superstitions and down onto Canyon Lake make it worthwhile. We’ll end the day with a snack or light meal at the Canyon Lake Marina restaurant. Please wear sturdy hiking boots, rain gear if appropriate, and bring plenty of water and snacks. Cost to non-members is $5. No dogs or children please.  

Thursday Febraury 16 - Scenic PV/Scottsdale Bike Ride
RATING: B- Length: 20-22 miles Pace: 12-14 MPH
LEADERS: Bev 480-415-7147 and Linda lindaanne30@gmail.com
Meet at Chapparel Park on the NE corner of Jackrabbit and Hayden Rds at 9AM, start riding at 9:15AM. We're going to ride a hodgepodge of scenic roads in Paradise Valley, traversing golf courses and an interesting menagerie. We'll also pass Scottsdale's famous metal stallions. For the more adventuresome, we'll have the optional chance of climbing a hill with great views of the McDowells and 4 Peaks. Helmets required and bring drinking water. Cost to nonmembers is $5.  

Thursday, February 16 - Social Hour
HOSTESS: Regina regina_miskexitz@yahoo.com
From 5 to 7 PM at Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 6333 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, at the SE corner of Scottsdale Road and Lincoln Road. 5 cocktails and 5 wines, each for $6.00; Widmer Brothers' Hefeweizer, 2 for $6.00. Appetizers (also $6.00 each): calamari, carpaccio, ravioli, ahi tuna, Cajun shrimp, burger. Generous portions! Join us! We'll have fun!  

Saturday, February 18 – China Dam and Tunnels Hike
RATING: C+ LENGTH: 6 mi ELEV GAIN: 700 ft PACE: Slow
LEADERS: Jeanie & Van 623 465-7440
Meet at 8:45 am (depart at 9) behind the McDonald’s at Carefree Highway and I-17. We will travel 20 miles (half on dirt road). Drivers need high clearance vehicles. We will hike to a dam on Humbug Creek, built by Chinese laborers in the late 1800’s. They also constructed a 3 mile long ditch (with 3 tunnels) to carry water to mining operations in a canyon which is now under the waters of Lake Pleasant. Bring flashlights to explore the tunnels. We will have snacks/lunch at the narrows of Humbug Creek, a perennial stream. Children welcome. No dogs. $5 fee for non-members.  

Monday, February 20 – Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft PACE: Fast
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 8:15 am (depart at 8:30) at the Loehman’s parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to nonmembers is $5.  

Thursday, February 23 – Piestewa Peak Freedom Trail Hike (Circumference Trail #302)
RATING: C/D LENGTH: 3.7 mi (hikers can choose to extend the hike by going to the summit) ELEV GAIN: 660 ft PACE: Moderate
LEADER: Dottie Doolittle 602 451-0145 (Cell) dot007@cox.net
Meet at 8 am (depart 8:10) at the very end of the road into Piestewa Park, near the Apache Picnic Area. We will hike the trail counter-clockwise. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to non-members is $5.  

Friday, February 24 - Shaw Butte Hike
RATING: C+ to B- LENGTH: 5-6 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1500 FT PACE: Moderate
LEADER: Ralph Engler 602 996-7312(H) or 480 855-7062(C)
Meet at 7:45 am (depart at 8:00) in the 7th St. Visitor Center parking lot; about 1 mile South of Thunderbird. We will hike to Trail 306 from the Visitor Center, then follow it to our summit on Shaw Butte; returning by following a connector to Trail 100. This hike has great views of the western end of the Preserve, and passes the ruins of an old restaurant on Shaw Butte. The pace will be adjusted for the group and the temp. Bring plenty of water and sun-screen. No dogs or children. Cost to nonmembers is $5.  

Saturday, February 25 - Windgate/Bell Pass Loop Hike
Rating: B Length: 10.1 mi Elev gain: 1529 ft Pace: Moderate
Leader: Bev 480 415-7147
Meet at 8:15 am (depart 8:30) at the Gateway Center to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on Thompson Peak Parkway (call leader if you need directions). Let's take advantage of another local hike before summer hits. Our hike, in a clockwise direction, will encompass the Gateway, Windgate, and Bell Pass trails before reconnecting to the Gateway Trail to complete our loop. Along the way we'll have great views of Tom Thumb and Thompson Peak. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring 2-3 quarts of water and snacks/lunch for the trail. Cost to nonmembers is $5  

Saturday, February 25 - Little Granite Mountain Hike (Rio Verde)
RATING: C/D LENGTH: 5 mi ELEV GAIN: Minimal PACE: Slow
LEADER: Dave Richardson 480 451-8808
Meet at 9:30 am (depart 9:45) at the General Store, southwest corner of Pinnacle Peak and Pima. Little Granite Mountain is located on the northwest corner of 136 Street and Dove Valley Road, 3 miles north of Dynamite. The pace of this hike will be SLOW! We will hike through a maze of trails to the saddle where we will take a break for lunch. Following lunch we will circle around the southern end of the mountain and return to the vehicles. Wear sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide brim hat, and appropriate jacket. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. The hike will take approximately 4 hours and will be canceled in the event of snow or rain. Cost to non members is $5.00  

Monday, February 27 – Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft PACE: Fast
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 8:15 am (depart at 8:30) at the Loehman’s parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to nonmembers is $5.

Looking Ahead

March 6 - General Membership Meeting
Bud Tasch’s Multi-Media Presentation of the October AzOTC Colorado Trip
Join AzOTC Board Member, Bud Tasch, as he presents the stunning photography of fellow member Craig Houle taken during last October's AzOTC trip to Colorado. This multi-media presentation beckons with crisp fall colors, plunging waterfalls and lofty mountain summits cloaked in a fresh mantle of snow. Over 6 days, the club hiked and traveled from the Switzerland of America in Ouray, to Black Canyon National Park, to Aspen to coincide with the annual John Denver Festival.

July 7-15 - Colorado Alpine Adventure
LEADERS: Bud and Bonnie Tasch, 480-802-2836
This trip includes 5 nights in and around Ridgway/Ouray at the Tasch home and 3 nights at Avalanche Ranch in Historic Redstone, CO near the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Hikes from A to C, hot springs, wineries and spectacular alpine scenery await in the Switzerland of America. Estimated price ranges from $250-$320/person, double occupancy. Alternate lodging is available in Ridgway at an extra charge. On-line registration begins promptly at 8:00 am on February 1st by performing the following:

Send Email to arizbunzer@msn.com and include your phone number(s).

• A confirming Email reply will be sent to you with the Trip Plan.
• Our receipt of your $150 deposit/person within 7 days confirms your acceptance of the Trip Plan, including the cancellation policy.
• A pre-trip party will be scheduled in early April to arrange car pools from Phoenix, review lodging assignments, trip activities and collect trip balance.