First Duty Weekend

This is what we teach every weekend.

 

The map below shows the basic trails that we give information for.  The trail to Mount Humphreys Peak (4.8 miles, OW), is the one that goes from the left where there is a small loop that connects with the Arizona Trail.  (that’s the one that goes north to south on the left side)  The loop is the Aspen Nature Loop, about 2.5 miles of easy trail. It’s the one that we recommend for families or anyone that wants a leisurely hike.  It takes about an hour and has beautiful views of the mountains all around going through meadows and glades.   The Mt. H trail has many switchbacks and continues to the east up the mountain, then heads north from the “Saddle”,( that dark area on the map), up and over 3 false peaks and finally to the summit.  The average hike is 6 to 8 hours RT.   Below that is a moderate hike on the Kachina Trail. It goes south and east around the contour of the mountain, about 5 miles OW.  It does go up and down, but it is a prettier trail and has great views to the south.

  

The picture on the right is the view from the parking lot next to the tent, overlooking part of the Aspen Loop Trail.

This young man was prepared with all the 10 essentials  to climb to the summit and he started early, (long before we got there) and he was one of the few that made it to the top.

Below is one of the families that attempted the Mt. H trail.  They went as far as they wanted and then turned back when they got to the snow, I think.  The next picture is of Bill giving information to a small group headed to the summit.  Not sure how far they got.  Most people will turn back when they get to the snow and ice, many make it to the “Saddle”, about 3 hours from the trailhead and about 11,800’.  We remind them that coming down is much harder.  There are slippery roots, loose rocks and cinder,  As the temperature rises, there is snowy slush, which freezes overnight.  They will definitely get wet feet.  It helps to have waterproof gaiters and either micro-spikes or crampons.  Many people come down with scratches and blood from minor injuries. 

  

This the PSAR (Preventive Search And Rescue) crew on duty one of the days.  Each day there will be different volunteers.  On the tables, we have information on PSAR and LNT (Leave No Trace).  There are also stickers for the kids, giveaways and extra water.  That’s me, Bill and Pamela.  We set up the tent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, about 9:00 and take it all down about 3:00 in the afternoon.

So that’s what I do every weekend at 9,300’.  It’s interesting and serves a good purpose.  The Coconino Sheriff’s Department feels that it has certainly reduced calls for Search and Rescue since the program started.

I hope that you all stay safe and are vigilant in all that you do while you enjoy this wonderful country.

Thanks for visiting

  Mom leaves me at home.

Susan and Angel

Wupatki NM, Snow, Walnut Canyon NM

On my days off I took a couple of road trips to see the sites around the area.  That’s the San Francisco Peaks to the west of which Mount Humphreys is the tallest, 12,633 ft.

                          

The first trip was to the east, off US Hwy 89, of Sunset Crater and Wupatki National  Monument.

On the west end of the loop is Sunset Crater and the resulting Cinder Cone Field.

  

Further along the 35+ miles of the loop is the Wupatki Pueblo.

 

Near the end of the loop or near the beginning if you’re entering from the east end of the loop are additional ruins.  If you click on any picture, you can enlarge it to read the text.

                                           

 

    

      

Later that week, this is what I woke up to, SNOW, about 2”.  Of course, by the end of the day, it was totally gone.

              

Angel went out to do her thing and couldn’t get back inside too soon.

  

Last Monday we took another trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument.

                             

 

    

It’s a bit difficult to judge how far down the canyon is by the pictures.  I think that is is somewhere around 273 steps down into the canyon.  Needless to say that is one trail that I will not be hiking, but it’s beautiful to look at.

   

That’s it for the side trips, for now.  Tomorrow will be the beginning of a long Holiday Weekend, Friday through Monday.  Each day we will be setting up the PSAR (Preventive Search And Rescue) Information  Tent at the Mount Humphrey’s Trailhead.  I’ll let you know how it all went.

In the meantime, I hope that you all have a wonderful Holiday.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

Workplace Tour and Visit From the Kids

I have been here in Flagstaff for nearly 3 weeks and have been working, mostly in this place.  It is the Rec (Recreation)  Bay.  We have our meetings here and there is a small cubical where I can use the computer for the research that I am doing to create a program about LNT, Leave No Trace. 

This is the view from just outside of the Rec Bay.  Off in the distance is Flagstaff Mall.  It’s not very far.

This another view from same place, just looking towards the Ranger Station.  That long flat thing in the middle is a drying rack for fire hoses.  The building that I am in is shared with the Fire Suppression Unit

This is a better view of the Ranger Station.

Just to give you an idea of how far I am from work, that white spot in the middle, between the trees is “My Spot II”.  The picture is taken from the entrance door to the building that the Rec Bay is in.

This is where I have been working, but that will change.  This coming Saturday I will be heading up to Arizona Snow Bowl for PSAR (Preventative Search And Rescue).  PSAR mans a tent at the trailhead there to give visitors access to their information and about the area as well as LNT, which I will be giving.  In addition to this, there will be times that I may be going out into the field to share this information with groups that request it.

Last Sunday, Mother’s Day, Mellissa came up with Robert and Katie.  After breakfast, we headed up to Snow Bowl, with a short detour past Lowell Observatory.  I will have to check that out later.

Since we ended up by the observatory by missing our turn to Snow Bowl, so we just checked out where it was and took a couple of pictures.

Below is the Northern Arizona University Campus, where Robert wants to go for college.

Just another view towards Mount Elden where the Ranger Station is.

This is the road to Snow Bowl with beautiful stands of Aspen.  They are beginning to leaf out.  Last week when I was there only bare branches.

Welcome To Arizona Snow Bowl

  

and Mount Humphries.

 

Mellissa and the kids took a short hike to get a better view of the mountain.  It was really windy, so didn’t stay long.

We’re on our way back.  There are a lot of areas where dispersed camping is allowed.  I guess that’s what those vehicles are doing.

Another view of the Ranger Station from Highway 89.  Camp Elden is just to the left at the foot of Mount Elden.

Well that’s about all for last weekend, except for their trip back to Phoenix, a normal 2 hour trip, took over 7 hours because they got stuck for over 5 hours, due to a multi-vehicle accident on I17 with no alternate routes.  They didn’t get home until 11:45 pm.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Thanks for visiting

  I sure love to go for rides.

Susan and Angel

First Week At Work

 

First of all this is the view from my door. There are several sites in Camp Elden waiting to be filled by other volunteers.  So far there are three of us. one couple is here for only 3 weeks.  Jack came in the day after I did.  He will be working in the wood shop.

I met with Paul, the volunteer coordinator on Tuesday. He told me what his plans were for me.  I will basically be working with PSAR (Preventive Search And Rescue) on Friday Saturday and Sunday.  PSAR maintains a pop up tent at the Mount Humphreys trailhead throughout the summer.  With PSAR I will be talking to hikers and Suggesting that  they might want to bring enough water, wear proper shoes and register so that if anything happens, we’ll know where to look for them.

He explained that this is something new,  I will also be promoting LNT (Leave No Trace), going over the seven principles of LNT.  He would also want me to develop some programs for outreach aimed at school age children either in schools or day camps.  That part will prove interesting. 

Paul brought out five large containers that had all kinds of material to use.  I went through and sorted all of that to find out what was available.

In addition to all that I also had to take a Defensive Driving Course, which took up most of Tuesday and then Wednesday I had to take the LNT Awareness Course.  I needed to pass both with minimum of 80% to get certified.  I did!!!  I did my 24 hours and was off for the weekend.

  

Above is the Snow Bowl ski lift to the top of Mount Humphreys over 7,000 feet.

Saturday I went to an event that was put on by the Coconino Forest and Fire Services where I made a couple of contacts for my research.  Afterwards I decided to check out where I would be at the trailhead.  The ski lift is open year round. 

Below is some scenery on the road to Snow Bowl.

  

  

One of these days I may check out the Pioneer Museum.  Below is the train that is there.

From there I went back home,

Below is the picture of my four kids and me.  I didn’t have it to put in the last post.

Mellissa, Ted, Heidi

Me and Sandra

I guess that that gets you up to date.  Tomorrow I will do more research and print out some activity cards.

I hope that you all are having a great week.

Thanks for visiting

  Just taking a nap.

Susan and Angel