Page 29 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

Sun. 16, “Bridge Mountain” – Join us Rocky Gap Road past Willow Springs; 3. LIGHTNING: If the interval
for this 7-mile round trip adventure that you’ll 2,600 ft of climb. 7 mi. Stren. between the lightning flash and thun-

never forget. In George’s opinion, it’s the Sun. 23, “Moenkopi/Calico Loop” der is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter
best scrambling hike in Red Rock. Stren. – Join Carleton and Carol on a hike that immediately. This is called the “Flash-
Mon. 17, “Ash Canyon/Gateway takes you from the wash in front of the Bang System.” Each five-second count

Canyon” – Combine the two major canyons Calico Hills to the ridge on the Moenkopi between flash and bang represents one

behind Calico Basin and you have a full trail. We’ll see some petroglyphs along the mile of distance.
day of excitement, including lots of boulder- way. 3.6 mi. Mod.
ing. Plan on a full day’s hike with Chris. Thurs. 27, “South Fork of Pine Creek” 4. THE RULE OF THREES:
8-9 mi. Stren. – Head into the south fork of Pine Creek How long can you last in a life and
Thurs. 20, “Flowers and Pollen” Canyon with Chris and scramble through death situation? Just three minutes
(Ongoing at the Visitor Center 9 a.m. the succeeding canyons to the cascading without oxygen, three hours without
– noon) – Spring is the season for sneez- falls of terrace. Lots of boulder scrambling.

ing! Discover some of the causes and how 5-6 mi. Stren. sufficient warmth, three painful days
they help flowers to successfully reproduce. Fri. 28, “Reptile Walk-about” – Join without water . . . but three weeks
No sign-up required. Ranger Jim on a fascinating excursion into without food.
Sat. 22, “Fossil Ridge” – Join Pat for the world of reptiles. We’ll brave the herpeto-
a loop hike that passes through the fire area logical primeval world of nature and observe 5. LOOK TO THE SKY: What’s
and goes up to the fossils. 2-3 mi. Mod. the real life of snakes, lizards and tortoises. going to happen with the weather in the
Sat. 22, “Pine Creek” – Hike with Bob 2.5 mi. Mod. next 24 hours? Clouds can tell you a
among the unusually low elevation pon- Sun. 30, “Wheeler Springs to Blue lot. Cirrus Clouds – These light and
derosa pines and explore the area’s diverse Diamond Overlook” – Join Carleton and feathery clouds at high altitude tell
wildflowers and wildlife. 3 mi. Mod. Carol for a hike crossing the Wheeler you it’s going to be fi ne going. Stratus
Sat. 22, “North Peak” (2) – Scramble Springs area going past an old landfill and Clouds – If you see low and murky
with Chris up to the highest point on up an old road to a bluff overlooking Blue gray clouds and the wind is from the
the escarpment; includes a section of Diamond where we’ll take a snack break. south or northwest, it can mean heavy
rain. If the wind is from another di-
rection, you’ll probably get drizzle.
Cumulus Clouds – On sunny days, you
exact course. Set out for a point to one

On the road again? side or the other, and then walk left or often see these fluffy, tall clouds that
Consider these . . . right when you get to that point. You’ll balloon into the sky. It rarely rains in
by Chuck Kleber the area. Cumulonimbus Clouds - Bad
news! These heavy, dark masses of
clouds can mean rain, lightning, thun-
1. YOUR BEST SINGLE SHEL-
TER: The lightweight and waterproof der and wind. Stay home. If you’re out
in the boonies, stay sheltered.
tarp is hard to beat. It goes with you.
It’s easy to set up with a secured, taut
line and held down with stakes or 6. WATER NEEDS IN THE
rocks. In the simplest set-up, you can DESERT: In the heat of the summer,
use it as a lean-to. It gives protection a person may need up to three gal-
lons of water a day. Take even more.
from a chilling wind. Remember, if That SUV of yours can break down
you build a fire, be sure the wind is

blowing the fire parallel to your shelter or get totally stuck on some dirt road

. . . not into it. In the final pinch, you or ravine. And don’t forget all those

can just wrap it around your body. common sense safety devices.
7. ABANDONED MINES: Stay
2. USING A COMPASS . . .
DON’T TRY TO BE EXACT: Say fi nd your destination. If you try to plot out of them, or you may end up in a
you want to return to your car parked an exact course, you may not see your
just off a road, or perhaps return to car or campsite on arrival, and then
your camp by a stream. Don’t plot an won’t know which way to walk. On the road, continued on p. 7

FORRC/April 2006 Page 5