Start the New Year off right with a guided hike at an Arizona State Park

For the first time ever all 50 states have collaborated on a single, nationwide state parks event occurring on the same day! The First Day Hikes program! Regular Day Use Entrance Fee applies at each park, however, there is no additional fee for the hike program.

As a part of this program, the AZ State Parks listed below will offer guided hikes on January 1. So get out and hike!

Alamo Lake SP: 10 am. Meet at Ranger Station/Store. Moderate hike for ages 10 and up. No dogs allowed. 3/4 mile. Bring water, appropriate boots, seasonal clothing, sunscreen, and binoculars.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP: 11 am. Plants, animals, and history hike. Meet at Visitor Center. All ages. Leashed dogs allowed. Dress in layers, bring water bottle, hat, binoculars and camera.

Buckskin Mountain SP: 10 am. Meet at Buckskin Center. Moderate difficulty. Any age. No pets, except for service dogs. Length of trail 1.5 miles. Bring hiking shoes and water.

Catalina SP: 9 am. Meet at picnic area ramada. No dogs. Take a bird hike over mostly flat terrain. Will last 2 to 2.5 hours. Usually see 20-30 bird species. Bring water, snacks, binoculars, and bird books.

Cattail Cove SP: 10 am. Camp Hosts Bill & Betty Noble will lead a 3 mile hike. Park features include a view of the California Water Project's "soda straws". Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water. A camera and walking stick are recommended.

Dead Horse Ranch SP: 9 am. Meet at West Lagoon parking lot. It will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours and cover 2 to 3 miles. Hikers will meander along the Verde River riparian area as well as the 3 lagoons that are on the park. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Participants may also want to bring binoculars and a camera; the day might be good for wildlife photo ops. Ranger Margie will be leading the hike.

Lake Havasu SP: 10 am. Meet at trailhead near large main launch ramp. Enjoy an interpretive and viewing hike led by Assistant Park Manager Myke Steighler. 1-2 miles. Bring water, supportive shoes, hat, and binoculars.

Kartchner Caverns SP: 10:30 am. Hike led by Michael Woods, Park Ranger I and Archaeologist, and will include a history of past mining operations on adjacent national forest land. The hike will follow the Guindani Trail and will be about an 1.5 hours long. Hikers will be transported to the trailhead by a park multi-passenger vehicle. Water and restrooms are available at the trailhead. No dogs allowed. Limited to 25 participants. Contact Art at (520) 586-4115 to reserve your space. $6 day use entrance fee applies.

Lost Dutchman SP: 9 am. Meet at Saguaro day-use area. Join us for a ranger led hike on Treasure Loop Trail. Learn about desert flora and fauna and the history of Superstition Mountains and the Lost Dutchman Mine. This is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet, 2.5 miles round trip, 2 hours. Carry water, dress in warm layers and wear sturdy trail shoes or hiking boots. In case of rain, hike will be cancelled.

Picacho Peak SP: 10 am. Meet at Sunset Vista Trail Head for an approximately 4 mile Ranger lead hike. The hike will be a moderate hike on the backside of Picacho Peak. Bring hiking boots, sun protection, and at least 1 liter of water.

Red Rock SP: 10 am and 2 pm. Meet at Visitor Center. No dogs allowed. Enjoy a 1-1.5 hour interpretive naturalist-led hike. Bring water, good shoes, hat, and dress appropriately.

Roper Lake SP: 10 am. Meet at gatehouse. Minimum age 7. Length of hike 2.25 miles. Bring sturdy shoes, binoculars, water, layered clothing, and camera.

Tonto Natural Bridge SP: 11 am. Meet at bridge parking area. Moderate hike .6 miles of the Gowan Trail observation deck. Minimum age 7 years old. Bring water, winter gear. Hike will continue for those want to go through the bridge and return via Anna Mae Trail. Note: Weather conditions in Jan. may be extreme. Hike may be canceled due to snow, ice, high creek flow, etc. Check the park website for current info.

Arizona State Parks proposes to raise camping fees. . . by a lot

It's likely that you will soon pay a lot more to camp in an Arizona State Park. Fees for a primitive campsite would raise from $15 to $25. Sites with electric hookups would go from $25 to $50 and day-use entrance fees would range from two to 10 dollars. Parks with per-person entrance fee ranges would have the upper limits changed to $10 to allow for seasonal and promotional fee increases by State Parks partner organizations.

Standard Annual Passes (day-use only) would be valid from November 1 to March 31 on holidays and weekends at the Colorado River Parks which would allow for more days of use for that pass.

Public comments will be accepted online until Jan. 13, 2012 at AZStateParks.com. The comments will be presented to the Arizona State Parks Board at its February, 2012 meeting. If the new fees are approved, the fee changes would take effect April 1, 2012.

Prescott honored as first place "True Western Town"

Looking for a uniquely (and genuine) western town? Then point 'Old Paint' toward Prescott, pardner. True West magazine says Prescott, Arizona is their Number One choice for this year's Top Ten True Western Towns.

While incorporation for the little Arizona town didn't happen until 1883, real estate was hot there (in more ways than one) clear back in 1864. In short order it became the Territorial capital, twice. At one point the capital was moved to Tuscon, but Prescott got it back, and lost it--evidently for the last time, when Phoenix claimed the honors.

But Territorial capitals aren't what the west was made of. Prescott's claims to fame include Native Americans, miners, hookers, ranchers and cowboys, and all the support that underpinned the old west. Much of this history is recalled in town museums like the Sharlot Hall Museum that revives the territorial past, and the Phippen and Smoki museums which focus on local artifacts.

But a stroll down Whiskey Row preserves a much larger bit of history in the form of historic buildings like Arizona's oldest bar and restaurant, The Palace. Plenty of other old-timey buildings house galleries, bookstores, boutiques, and the like. Of course, they didn't get there easily: Like a lot of other western towns, Prescott was tried by fire, literally, on several occasions. The result was that much of the downtown core was rebuilt with brick.

Prescott hosts annual events such as Frontier Days, The World's Oldest Rodeo (1888), Easter Egg-Stravaganza, the Bluegrass Festival, Earth Day, July 4 Celebration, Tsunami on the Square, art festivals, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Navajo Rug Auction, Pumpkin Patch Carnival, World’s Largest Gingerbread Village (actually on the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe reservation), Prescott Film Festival, Folk Arts Fair, parades, the Acker Music Festival, The Cowboy Poets Gathering, the Prescott Highland Games, Courthouse Lighting, Whiskey Off Road and Ragnar Relay Del Sol.

photo: ariztravel on flickr.com

Southwest critter visitors

Some new to snowbirding can find the creatures of the Southwest's deserts a puzzlement. While they may look cute, even warm and fuzzy, having coyotes and javalinas hanging around your rig can lead to danger--particularly for pets. Here are a few tips on wildlife.

Coyotes:

Coyotes are common in rural and urban areas throughout Arizona. Coyotes tend to travel and hunt alone or in pairs, but they can form groups where food is abundant.

What Attracts Them?

• Coyotes may visit a home if they find food, water, or shelter there.
• Food can include unattended pets, birds or rodents attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage, or fallen fruit.
• Water sources can include a pet's water bowl or a swimming pool.
• Shelter can include a storm drain or any cave-like area beneath a shed or unused building.

What Should I Do?
If you see a coyote near your home, don't ignore it. This may cause it to lose its natural fear of people, which can eventually lead to aggressive behavior.

To discourage a coyote, immediately:

• Make loud noises.
• Shout and bang pots and pans or rattle empty soda cans with pebbles in it (coyote shaker).
• Wave your hands or objects like sticks and brooms.
• Throw small stones or cans.
• Spray the coyote with a hose.
• Use a commercial repellent like Mace, if necessary, on bold animals that refuse to leave.
  

Javelina:

Though some people think javelina are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family, a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America. Javelinas are common in much of central and southern Arizona, including the outskirts of the Phoenix area, most of Tucson, and occasionally as far north as Flagstaff. Javelina form herds of two to more than 20 animals and rely on each other to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature and interact socially. They use washes and areas with dense vegetation as travel corridors. Javelina are most active at night, but they may be active during the day when it is cold.

What Attracts Them?

• Javelinas usually visit homes to find food, water or shelter.
• Food for javelina can include lush vegetation and many flowers and succulent plants that people place around their homes. Birdseed, table scraps and garbage can also attract javelina.
• Water can be provided through chewing on irrigation hose or by drinking from a pool or other water source around a home. Javelina will also dig and roll in moist soil during summer days to keep cool.
• Shelter can take the form of a porch, an area under a mobile home, a crawlspace beneath a house, or any other cave-like area. Javelina will seek shade during summer days and warmth during the winter, if these areas are not properly secured.
  

What Should I Do?
If javelina have become a problem or have caused property damage, see the suggestions below to deal with the situation. Do your part to keep javelina healthy and wild because their removal almost always means death. Work with your neighbors to achieve a consistent solution to the problem.

To discourage a javelina, immediately:

• Scare off animals by making loud noises (bang pots, yell, stomp on the floor, etc.); throwing small rocks in their direction; or spraying with vinegar, water from a garden hose, or large squirt gun filled with diluted household ammonia (1 part ammonia and 9 parts water). The odor of the ammonia and the nasal irritation it causes will encourage the javelina to leave. Avoid spraying ammonia in the eyes as it may cause damage even at this low concentration. Ammonia should not be used around wetlands because it is toxic to fish and amphibians.
• If the animal is confined, open a gate, have all people leave the area, and allow it to leave on its own. If it is still there the following day, contact a wildlife control business or the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
• If you see javelina while walking your dog, avoid going near the javelina and quickly take your dog in a different direction.

photos: coyote--R&T DeMaris; javalina--tequilamike on flickr.com

Observe the heavens Nov. 19 at Alamo State Park

Alamo Lake State Park will host its "5th Annual Night Under the Stars" astronomy program on the night of the new moon on Saturday, Nov. 19. Because Alamo Lake State Park is 30 miles from the nearest small town, the park's dark skies offer some of Arizona's best unaided views of celestial objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Triangulum Galaxy. Activities begin at noon and continue throughout the day and evening.

Terrestial objects that are not easily seen from within the city are easy binocular targets when viewed from Alamo Lake State Park due to the dark environment. Moons, planets, galaxies, star clusters and nebula will fill up the eyepiece when seen through the telescopes set up for visitors that night. Astronomy clubs and amateur astronomers from around the state provide the telescopes to allow visitors to explore the night sky.

If you attend, bring a red flashlight and comfort items such as folding chairs, warm clothes, bottled water and snacks. The park has camping, fishing and ramadas available for RVers and tents. Primitive camping sites are offered to participating astronomy clubs and individuals who bring a telescope to the Star Party to share with visitors.

The Park Entrance fee is $7 (up to four adults) per vehicle. Primitive and full hookup camping sites are available at a fee of $13 to $25 per night depending on the type of camping site needed. Alamo Lake State Park is located 38 miles north of Wenden and US 60. Wenden is two hours west of Phoenix north of I-10. Alamo Lake State Park offers hiking, OHV trails, birdwatching, bass fishing, and is one of Arizona's largest lakes. Learn more at the Alamo State Park website. Campground reservations can now be made online.

Three thousand miles of roads to be closed in Coconino NF

Most RVers have already pulled out of the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff. At elevations over 7,000 feet where temperatures have dropped into the teens at night and only rise to the mid 30s in daytime, those who can have started their trip to warmer southern climates. Those stuck close to home have probably parked their RV for the season.

But when the snowbirds return and when the locals awaken their rigs from winter hibernation, they will find that nearly 3,000 miles of forest roads have been closed and motorized camping is restricted from nearly 1.5 million acres to 43,000 acres along 581 miles of roads in the Coconino NF.

The decision on the changes to be made to the Travel Management Plan (TMP) was announced on Thursday, November 3rd by the Forest Service and started the clock ticking on a 45-day comment period--so if you have anything to say about the closures, don't wait until you head out in the Spring for your favorite boondocking campsite only to find it closed.

In other changes made to the TMP on the November 3rd announcement, the original version allowed dispersed camping within 100 feet of any open road but was extended to within 300 feet of both sides of just 581 miles of designated road, and one side only of 32 miles of road. With the new rule, campers and day-users will also be allowed to park and/or camp along any open road, so long as they are parked within 30 feet of the roadway.

"We changed what we were going to do after going out and collecting data on over 4,000 dispersed campsites and then tried targeting our dispersed camping corridors to where they were at and where they would cause the least impact to sensitive resources," said Mike Dechter, spokesman for the forest, according to the Verde Independent that reported on the decision.

A map and a complete copy of the decision are posted on the Coconino National Forest Website. Dechter also said that the forest will be publishing an app for smart phones, where RVers can see exactly where they are on the map so they can make accurate decisions on where they can drive and where they can boondock. The Coconino NF will be the first forest in the nation to publish such an app.

Police need help identiying man found at Beaver Creek

A man's body found at Arizona's Beaver Creek Campground has authorities looking for help with identification. The popular campground is on Interstate 17 at its junction with Arizona Highway 179, about 10 miles north of Camp Verde. On August 30, hikers found the man's body, described as being a white male, aged 35 to 45 years, 6' 1" tall, weighing 252 pounds. The man is bald, and wore a goatee.

Officials say the man's first name is Phillip, possibly haling from Florida or New Mexico. He caught a cab from the Flagstaff, Arizona train station to the campground, with one stop made at Weber's IGA store at Oak Creek. When found he was wearing two shirts, one tie-dyed, the other bearing the phrase, "Widespread Panic."

The medical examiner says the man died of heart disease.

If you have any information that may shed light on the case, police ask you call the Yavapai County Sheriff's office at (928) 771-3260.

Game & Fish to stock lakes and streams for winter trout fishing

Just because you may be heading south soon for the winter to the Southwest, don't leave your trout fishing gear behind in a closet. Arizona Game & Fish has already stocked and will soon be stocking many more locations, from mid-elevation habitats to metropolitan areas.

The Prescott area and streams flowing into the Verde Valley have already been stocked with trout and as the chilly November nights arrive southern Arizona lakes will see stocked trout also.

The canyons, too, like Willow Beach in Black Canyon below Hoover Dam and Topock Gorge at the north end of Lake Havasu will again be good spots to catch fat rainbows. Even Casino Row in the Laughlin-Bullhead area will see stockings.

Wherever you spend the Arizona snowbird season you will likely be near a great fishing hole. Go to the Game & Fish website for a complete list of the winter trout stocking schedule.

Fall season opens at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek

Patagonia Lake SP

Fall camping season kicks off on Saturday, October 15th at Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area when the visitor center will again be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Displays of local plants, animals, and the great variety of birds that the area is known for are featured at The Sonoita Creek Visitor Center. This natural area is a transitional zone between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, and within a small area you can see seven distinct vegetative communities from riparian forest to desert grassland.

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

Nature walks will also begin on October 22nd at 9 AM on Saturdays. Fall is an especially good time for birdwatchers as the fall migration is in full swing. Bird walks are conducted each Monday at 9 AM at the Birding trailhead at the east end of the campground.

A list of activities can be found on the park website and more activities will be added throughout the season.

You can make reservations at (520) 586-2283. Patagonia Lake resurfaced the camping pads this past summer and installed electricity and water to most sites. Non-electric sites are $17 and electric sites $25. 

Visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the desert's Fall Foliage Festival

The turning of the leaves draws leaf peepers from all over the country to the New England States each October.

But did you know that you can also see the turning of the leaves at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, an Arizona State park 55 miles east of Phoenix?

The leaves turn later in the desert than they do in New England, usually in November, and the peak time for the colorful Chinese pistachios, sycamores, and others comes around Thanksgiving.

The arboretum hosts a two-day Fall festival Thanksgiving weekend featuring live music, arts and crafts booths under the trees, and that typical New England treat, hot spiced cider to warm your innards as you wander the Arboretum's grounds and enjoy the scenery.

The festival takes place from 11 AM to 3 PM November 26-27 at the Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior. $9 adults, $4.50 kids ages 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and younger. Call (520) 689-2811 for more info. or go online to the Arboretum's website.

McMahon's RV opens permanent location in Mesa

If you are among the snowbirds that consider replacing or upgrading your rig during the winter at temporary sales locations that spring up every winter in Yuma, Quartzsite, or other desert areas, you might want to include the new McMahon's RV that has opened a permanent sales location in Mesa, a popular snowbird location.

The new location (2260 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 852113, 480-835-2095), besides having a range of motorhomes from traditional gas engine models to luxury diesel pushers and a full service center, also has a cafeteria with professional landscaping to keep you relaxed, comfortable, and well fed during the buying process.

McMahon’s RV carries an extensive inventory of Class A, B, and C motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth-wheels. Their grand opening, which begtan September 23rd, will continue to the end of Novermber.

Boondockers and wildlife watchers take precautions during hunting season

The Fall season is a good time for wildlife watchers. Most of the summer crowds are gone, campgrounds uncrowded, and birds and wildlife are active. This is also a time when wildlife watchers, boondockers, mountain bikers, and hikers need to be on alert and take some extra precautions because the deer hunting season is open from October through December.

It can be an unsettling time for many boondockers and recreational users in the national forests and on BLM land when they hear gun shots or encounter armed individuals while out enjoying nature.

Many boondockers just avoid the national forests during this season because of the prevalence of hunters, which is not always necessary, as some areas are closed to hunting at certain times and hunting seasons are very defined.

RVers using public lands in Fall can go online to the Arizona Game and Fish website to learn the actual dates of hunting seasons and camp elsewhere.

If you still want to camp in an active hunting area, do not act like a deer--wearing antlers on your head or a deerskin jacket, for example. You also might want to do what hunters do, and wear a bright orange hunter's vest and cap letting hunters know that you are not something to be shot at.

There are several locations around Arizona that are classified as Wildlife Watching Areas, which are either off limits to hunters or you can visit at times when hunting is barred. You can get specific information about these areas on the Game & Fish watchable wildlife page.

And remember that we share the forests. Hunters have as much right to be there as RVers and hikers, and if we RVers recognize that, we can all get along better.

Kaibab Lake campground rennovations a hit

While Tusayan, Arizona may technically be the real gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, Williams likes to claim the honor. Fifty miles to the south, Williams sits on the Historic Route 66 and is home station of the Grand Canyon Scenic Railroad. Tourist trap that Williams may be, for a while there wasn't a satisfactory public campground nearby.

That's all over now. A couple of miles up the road to the South Rim, officials are preparing to wave the flags, fire up the barbies, and offer free hot dogs and burgers in celebration of the "Grand Opening" of Kaibab Lake Campground in the Kaibab National Forest. All that takes place Friday, September 16. Ah, but intrepid correspondents for RV Arizona have already beat the pomp and ceremony to report on the state of the campground.

Calling the celebration at "Grand Opening" is rather a misnomer, as Kaibab Lake has existed for some time. Still, the Forest Service folks have reason to be proud of their recently completed renovations. Facilities for RVers have been considerably upgraded at the campground, with neat paved sites, fire rings, tables, and brick outhouses built like--well--built like a brick outhouse. On our visit in early September we were happy to stay on at one of Kaibab Lake's upper loop sites. Evergreen trees shade but don't overwhelm with overhang throughout the grounds, and the occasionally disappearing (OK, "shrinking") lake is said to be home to eatable fish.

Our experience with the wildlife of the campground came more in the form of a guilt-producing bushy-tailed squirrel. After mistakenly allowing a garbage bag to sit unattended for a few minutes, the enterprising rodent broke open the cache and made off with a disposable bowl. Garbage properly dumped, the squirrel returned and sat a few feet outside our dining area window, giving us the accusing look of a disappointed pan handler. We'll be more cautious about our refuse from now on.

The reconstruction project includes 11 new sites on an all-new camping loop. All the loops are connected by hard surface, all weather roads, and the entry access road is likewise "non-muddy." Site fees are a reasonable $18 a night. Don't look for a dump station, and water, as in most places around Williams has to be hauled in, so treat it like liquid gold.

photos: R&T DeMaris

Arizona State Parks to remain open thanks to local communities and non-profit agencies

With the continuing recession it seemed inevitable that not only would the padlocked Arizona state parks remain closed, but that more would close also. However, many local communities and non-profits haveteamed up to keep 14 of the state's most vulnerable parks open by providing more than $800,000 to eh Arizona State Parks Agency.

For instance, the Friends of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and the towns of Payson and Star Valley are helping with $35,000 in funding to the park that bears their name. Earlier this week, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park returned to a five-day schedule after being open every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The Tubac Historical Society is helping keep Tubac Presidio State Historic Park open by providing both funding and operational support, and Red Rock State Park in Sedona is being aided by Yavapai County and the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park.

Local authorities and non-profits say they decided to cast a financial lifeline to the more vulnerable parks because they recognize their value - their rich history, intense beauty and, perhaps most importantly, their economic impact.

Today, less than two years after major closures seemed certain, 26 of Arizona's 27 parks are open (only Oracle SP remains closed), although many have abbreviated schedules. Some, such as Picacho Peak and Lyman Lake state parks, are on seasonal calendars. Others, such as Jerome State Historic Park and Fort Verde State Historic Park, are on five-day schedules. Still others switch between opening for seven days during their peak season and five days during their shoulder seasons.

"When the Legislature swept $8.6 million from Arizona State Parks' budget during a special session in December 2009, it was clear there would be widespread closures," reports the Arizona Republic. "Thirteen parks, including Tubac Presidio, were operating in the red. All were targeted for closure.

"Many parks have a substantial economic impact on their surrounding communities, even if they don't operate at a profit, State Parks officials say. Tubac Presidio (photo) supported four jobs and had a local economic impact of $256,377 in fiscal 2007, according to a study conducted by the Arizona Hospitality Research & Resource Center. Lake Havasu State Park, which consistently operates in the black, supported 484 jobs and had a $34.5 million economic impact.

"Cumulatively, the state parks had an economic impact of $266.4 million from July 2006 through June 2007, the study said. 'State Parks does have parks in its system that are fairly small and don't have the same appeal as some of the recreational parks,' said Thomas Combrink, senior research specialist at the center. 'It's just the nature of what they are.'"

For now the parks will stay open, which is important to both park visitors and the surrounding communities. But, these are short term solutions and are not sustainable. A long term plan is needed to guarantee the parks will be open next year and the next.

Forrest Service re-opens for camping in Apache-Sitgreaves following Wallowa fire

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest officials reopened more areas this week that burned in this year's Wallow wildfire, the largest fire in Arizona's history. Open roads are marked with white arrow signs.

Many developed campgrounds in the fire area are open for use including Acre Lake, KP Cienega, and Stray Horse. Some areas will remain closed through at least the next several months including South Fork Campground.

All the developed recreation sites along the East Fork and West Fork of the Black River are also open.

Dispersed camping is allowed within 30 feet of any route designated as open with a white arrow, in areas designated as open. NOTE: This is part of the new Travel Management Plan and is a change from previous rules. Forest entry and dispersed camping farther than 30 feet from an open roadway is allowable by non-motorized means only, and only in areas designated as open on the map.

Throughout the coming weeks, visitors can expect that trails signed as open have been cleared of most hazards such as downed and falling trees.

All other trails in designated open areas have not been mitigated and pose a higher risk to users. Each visitor is responsible for his or her own safety. The Forest Service warns, before choosing a parking or camping spot, "Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around."

Falling trees, stump holes and flooding continue to exist throughout the forest.

Check here for additional roads and areas that are open, and for a copy of the closure order, a comprehensive list of roads, trails, and recreation sites, as well as maps indicating open and closed areas, visit the forest's website.

NOTE: Closure violations are punishable by a fine of as much as $5,000 for individuals and imprisonment for as long as six months, or both. This, too, is part of the new Travel Management Rules.

Lightning kills Colorado man camping in Arizona

It used to be a cliche about something being as rare as "being struck by lightning." But surprisingly, there are several lightning strikes and deaths each year in the US.

Arizona averages 1.4 lightning deaths each year, having it's first of 2011 on July 12th when a Colorado high school teacher was killed while camping in Arizona. Nationwide there have been 15 lightning strike deaths this year.

To improve your odds, stay west of the Mississippi River since the majority of deaths happened east of the river. Be a female--11 of the 15 strikes were male. And avoid Florida, the number one state for lightning deaths and known as the lightning capital of the world, with 461 recorded deaths since 1959. The corridor from Tampa to Orlando has one of the highest  in the world density of lightning strikes per year.

The National Weather Service offers the following safety tips during electrical storms.


• NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
• When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter.
• Safe shelter is a substantial building or inside an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle.
• Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.


Indoor Lightning Safety Tips
• Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put
you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.


Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks
• NEVER lie flat on the ground
• NEVER use a tree for shelter
• NEVER use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
• Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)
• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should ANY of the above actions be taken if a building or an all-metal vehicle is nearby  


If Someone Is Struck
• Victims DO NOT carry an electrical charge and may need immediate medical attention.
• Monitor the victim and begin CPR or AED, if necessary.
• Call 911 for help.

Coronado National Forest, Mount Lemmon reopen

After nearly a month of closure due to high fire danger, the Coronado National Forest is "open for business" once again. All campgrounds and hiking trails are open to the public. It's a big relief for a lot of the locals, Tucson residents have been roasting in high temperatures, and a visit to Mount Lemmon (at it's elevated location) has been a big relief.

Don't get too crazy, though. The fire danger is listed as "High," which means no campfires, no barbeques, no open flames. If you haven't been able to give up the smoking evil, you can smoke--but only INSIDE your vehicle.

Last weekend campgrounds throughout the forest saw a brisk business.

US Government photo

Be aware of fire laws on Arizona public lands

The following fire restrictions are in effect for BLM public lands in Arizona:

Open campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires
Campfires and charcoal grills are only permitted in developed recreation sites or improved sites, where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is allowed on public lands provided such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.

Smoking
Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within a vehicle and on a paved or  surface  road within a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Other
Use of fireworks, flares or other incendiary devices are prohibited.

Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting implement is prohibited.

For additional information on current fire restrictions, please call 1-877-864-6985 or visit Wildlandfire.az.gov.

Coronado National Forest to close due to extreme dry fire conditions

Hikers, campers, bird-watchers, and others who love outdoor recreation will be barred indefinitely from one of their most prized preserves, the Coronado National Forest. The entire two million-acre forest will be closed at noon Thursday because of extreme fire danger.

"The closure will remain in effect until significant moisture arrives," said Jim Upchurch, supervisor of the forest encompassing mountain ranges across Southern Arizona. "We recognize the impact this closure will have, but these are unprecedented fire conditions."

The closure includes popular Sabino Canyon (photo) northeast of Tucson. The only exception is the Catalina Highway to Summerhaven in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson which will remain open to residents, business operators, and the public during daylight hours. But no stops may be made at overlooks, trails or other sites along the way to Summerhaven. The road will be closed at night.

Violators could face fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, said Heidi Schewel, a spokeswoman for the forest. Parts of Saguaro National Park also will be closed starting Thursday, park Superintendent Darla Sidles said.

She said all high-country trails and sites in the park's district east of Tucson will be closed, but the eight-mile-loop drive in the district will remain open. The district of the park west of Tucson is in desert mountain terrain and will remain open, Sidles said.

Town of Buckeye to transform 8700 acres of Arizona desert lands into a camping hub

Buckeye is leasing land from the Bureau of Land Management to transform the desert land into a camping hub complete with picnic areas, campgrounds, and hiking and equestrian trails reports the Tucson Citizen.

The town has signed a lease agreement with the BLM to develop 8,675 acres in the far West Valley into a regional park over the next 25 years. Buckeye plans to annex the land and begin constructing access roads to develop what for now is being called Buckeye White Tank Regional Park.

After 25 years, if BLM officials are satisfied with what Buckeye has done with property, they will transfer ownership to Buckeye. Buckeye leased the land at no cost under the federal Recreation and Public Purposes Act, enacted by Congress in 1954.

“It is a rather large acquisition, but the parcel was isolated from other blocks of public land. We had no interest in that land,” said Jim Andersen, a land-realty specialist for the BLM.

Under the plan, the entrance to Buckeye White Tank Regional Park will be at the end of Watson Road, about 2 miles north of Interstate 10 and south of Maricopa County’s White Tank Mountain Regional Park (photo) that the land borders and which is already popular for scenic desert hiking, campgrounds, and wildlife.

Buckeye officials hope to partner with the county and create trails that will interweave with existing trails at the White Tank Mountains.

Firefighters battle Arizona's second largest wildfire in history

The massive and out of control wildfire in the Ponderosa pine forests of Northeastern Arizona has now burned over 600 square miles.

Residents are fleeing several small Arizona mountain towns, as cars, trucks and trailers loaded with belongings streamed out of Eagar, flames dotted a ridge on the southeastern side of Springerville, and columns of orange smoke rose from the hills. 


Ash rained from a sky filled with thick smoke that has affected air quality as far north as Wyoming and as far east as Georgia.


This is the second largest wildfire in Arizona's history, and authorities are already looking into the cause. Several forest service campgrounds are dotted throughout the area, and some reports said the fire started from an "unattended campfire".  If this turns out to be true, what a devastating result from a camper's negligence.

As we enter the summer camping season, it cannot be stressed enough the importance of campers and RVers taking extra care to guarantee without a doubt that their fires are absolutely cold, dead, out. Carry a water bucket and shovel in your rig to use if an errant spark gets loose from your fire, and when you leave, pour water on the fire.

But that's not enough. Spread out the coals and feel with your hand that they--all of them--are cold to the touch. Then bury the fire with dirt. Don't leave even the slightest possibility of a sudden wind raising the smallest of hot spots into a fiery conflagration. And don't even consider building a campfire if weather predictions call for high winds. The cost of a simple, unintended mistake, can be too high to contemplate.

Fire damages Mittry Lake and Betty's Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Area

Many of us have boondocked at Mittry Lake east of Yuma at the Betty's Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Area, enjoying waterfront campsites surrounded by rushes and willows. If you had a paddle boat, canoe or kayak, you could paddle out from your campsite into a great birdwatching area among the tulles and low wetlands of the lower Colorado River.

That has now changed as the Laguna Fire has burned between 400 to 800 acres of vegetation along the Colorado River in the Betty's Kitchen area. The BLM reports that the fire was man caused, however the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire, which began at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25th, is burning salt cedar, willow, cottonwood and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The fire started in California and hopped the river into Arizona. Approximately 95 percent of the fire is in Arizona.

The fire has destroyed a historic abandoned cabin known as “Pappin House” and portions of Betty’s Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Area and Interpretive Trail near Laguna Dam.

A large sign at Betty’s Kitchen, a ramada, a wooden footbridge, some vegetation and a BLM water truck were burned during the wildfire.

A second ramada and bathrooms at the location were spared. Much of the foliage will grow back, but it remains to be seen how much the fire will affect this not-well-known boondocking camping area.

Yuma and Lake Havasu City BLM districts restrict campfires

The abundant rain this winter has resulted in a green and verdant desert. However, as the days get warmer the vegetation dries out, and because there is so much vegetation, it becomes a fire hazard. This year has already seen disastrous wildfires.

The Horseshoe Two wildfire is right now burning more than 26,500 acres in southeastern Arizona and is only 20 percent contained. About 600 firefighters are attempting to get the fire out threatening the community of Portal in the Chiracahua mountains, an area internationally known for its excellent birding. The fire is strong enough to back into the wind and make short uphill runs, with flames from 2 to 15 feet.

In another area, the BLM has issued fire restrictions on 2.5 million acres of public land in the Yuma and Lake Havasu districts, and along the Colorado River on the California side.

The BLM says that there are not plans to close any of the areas, they want to make clear that the following acts are prohibited:

• Open campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires. Campfires and charcoal grills are only permitted in developed recreation sites or improved sites, where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is allowed on public lands provided such devices meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety.

• Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within a vehicle, and on a paved or surface road, within a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• Use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices.

• Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting implement.

Violations of these restrictions are punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 12 months.

Imperial, Cibola, Bill Williams, and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges continue to enforce year round fire restrictions.

For more information on fire restrictions, call 1-877-864-6985, or visit www.publiclands.org/firenews.

Forest Service in Arizona bans campfires

The Forest Service in Arizona said that increasing fire danger has made campfires outside of campgrounds will be banned on the Coconino National Forest beginning today.

The Kaibab National Forest also will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions (see definition of Fire Restrictions below) on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts also today. These restrictions will likely stay in place until the Summer monsoons begin.

Fire Restrictions four stages defined
Stage 1 restrictions ban fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, or wood stoves outside of developed campgrounds. Smoking is limited to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters meeting safety specifications will continue to be allowed.

Stage 2 restrictions include prohibiting campfires and other fires in developed campgrounds, as well as prohibiting motorized vehicle and chainsaw use.

Stage 3 restrictions include shutting off sections of the forest.

Stage 4 restrictions are wider closures, where an entire forest could be closed.

National Weather Service issues red flag warning for all Arizona forests

The National Weather Service has issued the first red-flag warning for most of Arizona on Wednesday, May 4. US Forest Service officials asked campers not to use campfires on any of Arizona's national forests.

A red flag warning means that any wildfire has a strong potential for extreme growth because of high winds and low relative humidity.

Although this is the first red flag day of the year, Central Yavapai Fire District personnel already have had to put out two wildfires caused by people using burn permits where tumbleweeds turned into rolling balls of fire in windy areas north of Prescott Valley earlier this month, CYFD Fire Marshal Charlie Cook said.

Rainfall measuring sites on the Prescott National Forest are averaging only about half of their usual precip, unlike many other parts of the country where floods and tornadoes rage. Winter precipitation in Prescott was below average, and April is so far below average.

Campers in the national forests should also be extra alert for burnable material close to campfires even on non-red alert days.

Pay attention to laws, customs when visiting Arizona's tribal lands

Each of Arizona's 22 Native American Reservations operates under its own unique governmental structure and establishes its own rules for visitors. Visitors should not assume that what applies in one Tribal community is the general rule for all Tribal communities. Please observe all Tribal laws and regulations. For specific information, it's recommended that you contact the individual tribe(s) before your visit.

Basic Guidelines
Taking photos, video and audio recordings, as well as sketching, is a particularly sensitive issue. Permits may be required, and fees and restrictions vary, particularly for professionals. Therefore, it is important to contact each individual Tribe regarding its policies. Do not attempt to engage in any of the above mentioned activities without prior authorization. Failure to comply with Tribal regulations could result in fines, confiscation of equipment and/or expulsion from Tribal Lands.

Dances are sacred ceremonies. Observe them as you would any other religious function by dressing and acting appropriately. Be mindful of where you sit, stand and walk. For example, at certain Hopi dances men and women sit apart; during pow wows it may not be appropriate to stand beside a drum; and it is inappropriate to walk across the pow wow arena during a dance. Never pick up any object that is dropped during a ceremony. Please refrain from talking to the ceremonial dancers. Applause after ceremonial dances is considered inappropriate.

Some of the Tribal buildings and structures may be several hundred years old and damage easily; do not climb on walls or other structures. Do not disturb or remove animals, plants, rocks or artifacts including pot shards, as Tribal and federal laws prohibit the removal of such items.

Use caution when driving, especially at night. Much of the reservation land is open range, and small herds of sheep, goats, cattle and horses move freely along and across roads.

Like any community, a reservation is home to those who live and work there and should be respected as such. Although most reservation communities are open to the public during daylight hours, the homes are private and should be entered only by invitation.

Save money with an annual pass to Arizona State Parks

Do you enjoy visiting your favorite Arizona State Park time and again? Or do you find that visiting State Parks in a region is more appealing? Whichever suits your needs, Arizona State Parks offers a deal for you, your friends, and your family through its annual pass program.

Three annual passes are available, a standard pass for $75 a year, a premium pass for $200 that offers increased benefits, and a disabled veteran's annual pass which is free. Any two individuals may put their names on a pass.

Learn all about the passes at the Arizona State Parks website. They are available for purchase at many Arizona State Park visitor centers and gift shops.

Kartchner Caverns State Park cave tour reservations now available online

Kartchner Caverns State Park cave tour tickets and Kartchner campground reservations are now available for booking 24-hours a day on the Arizona State Parks website. The Kartchner Caverns call center will be the central reservation system headquarters for all State Parks as campground reservations come online this spring at the other parks.

According to Arizona State Parks Executive Director Renée Bahl, "Kartchner Caverns is extremely popular and our visitors now will be able to book cave tours from anywhere in the world in advance or the same day. The website is simple and intuitive," says Bahl. "With just a few clicks web surfers can conveniently choose a date, pick their tour times, type and number of tickets, and check-out 24-hours a day. Then the customer will receive an email receipt to printout and bring with them to the park on the day of their tour."

Kartchner Caverns is a stunning limestone cave discovered in 1974 in Southeastern Arizona that opened to the public in 1999. The cave flourishes underground with 99% humidity, while the desert above is only at 10% humidity. Maintaining the delicate ecosystem inside the cave while offering tours to the public has been a balancing act for the State Parks. Rust-colored stalactites drip down like icicles and giant stalagmites reach up from the floor of the cave glistening with the drops of moisture that cover the colorful flowstone.

Kartchner Caverns cave tours can be booked one year in advance with Throne/Rotunda and Big Room tours available all winter. The Big Room is closed Apr. 16-Oct 1 so the mother bats can roost and raise their young in that part of the cavern, and the Rotunda/Throne Room is closed in order to allow for scientific monitoring and assessment from October 10 through December 14.

Prices for the tours are $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children age (7-13) and customers may book up to a maximum of 20 tickets. Tours start at 9AM and go throughout the day until 4:30PM.

For more information about all of Arizona's State Parks call 800-285-0373 or visit the website.

Sharlot Hall Museum complex chronicles Prescott's early history

A few short blocks from the plaza in downtown Prescott, Arizona, the Sharlot Hall Museum’s assemblage of historic buildings and permanent collections makes it the largest museum complex in central Arizona.

Changing exhibits illustrate the early days of Prescott and the Arizona Territory. The museum staff, actors, and volunteers also present a variety of live programs such as festivals, theatre performances, and living history reenactments that depict the area’s rich regional heritage.

Housing the first territorial governor, the Governor’s ”Mansion” (actually a rustic cabin, but a mansion by mid-1860’s standards, compared to the tents, wagons, and crude cabins in which the rest of Prescott’s citizens lived) was built on this site in 1864 from Ponderosa pine logs cut in the surrounding forest. Sharlot Hall moved into the mansion in 1927 and opened it as a museum a year later.

The museum buildings include the Fremont House built in 1875, home of John Charles Fremont while he served as Arizona’s fifth Territorial Governor, and Fort Misery built in 1863-64--the oldest standing log building in the Arizona Territory.

Scattered around the museum grounds you will also find replicas of a typical ranch house and a schoolhouse of the period, an authentic 1885 iron turbine windmill relocated from a local ranch, a vehicle collection featuring Sharlot Hall’s 1927 Star, and a variety of gardens including the Rose Garden with over 260 rose bushes honoring Arizona’s pioneer women. Located at 415 West Gurley Street in Prescott.

Wickenburg, the "most western town" keeps old West alive

Voted the "Most Western" town in the west, the Arizona community of Wickenburg has atmosphere.

A couple of years ago, True West magazine, put Wickenburg in the "Top 10 List of True Western Towns of 2008."

In the mid-1800s Henry Wickenburg came to the area in search of gold and discovered the Vulture Mine, where over $30 million in gold was found. There are still relics around the area that stand as a tribute to these early adventurers as well as a walking tour around Vulture Mine, according to the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce.

Wickenburg's western attractions have called tourists to come "Out Wickenburg Way" since the 1930s. To add a contemporary touch with an affectionate nod to its history, the town commissioned realistic life-size bronze sculptures that are threaded through the old section of town.

The sculptures are a series of six old western characters and 16 linking animal pieces by renowned artist J. Seward Johnson. The artist's work is in private and public collections around the world.

An added feature is that each large sculpture includes a button with a narrative on the history of the area.

The public art includes "Jail Tree Felon" that depicts "the use of the large mesquite tree as a place to chain prisoners in early Wickenburg days until they could be transported to the nearest jail in Prescott. It is located at the Jail Tree Park on Tegner Street (Hwy-93) by Chaparral Ice Cream Parlor and Circle K."

"Vaquero with Guitar" provided "an evening serenade to downtown visitors in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He strums on Wickenburg Way (Hwy-60) in front of the Gold Nugget Lounge."

The 16 smaller bronzes "depict local desert creatures including gila monsters, roadrunners, tarantulas and rattlesnakes. They provide linkage between the six major pieces."

If you go:
Cost: Free
Hours: 24/7
URL: www.WickenburgChamber.com
Phone: (800) 942-5242

Photos: From top: 'Jail Tree Felon,' 'Vaquero with Guitar,'and 'Gila Monster.' Julianne Crane

Tour and campground reservations now accepted at Kartchner Caverns State Park

Reservations are now being accepted for Kartchner Caverns State Park cave tours and campsites.

Kartchner Caverns is a stunning limestone cave discovered in 1974 in Southeastern Arizona that opened to the public in 1999. The cave flourishes underground with 99 percent humidity, while the desert above it's only ten percent.

The caverns feature a variety of 32 different calcite formations created by the water percolating down through the desert's the surface.

Cave tours can be booked one year in advance with Throne/Rotunda and Big Room tours available all winter. The Big Room is closed Apr. 16-Oct 1 so the mother bats can roost and raise their young in that part of the cavern, and the Rotunda/Throne Room is closed to allow for scientific monitoring and assessment from October 10 through December 14.

Prices for the tours are $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children age (7-13) and customers may book up to a maximum of 20 tickets. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A two loop Campground is located off of the main road past the Discovery Center on the southwest end of the park. Camping fees are $25 per night.

The park's Discovery Center features museum exhibits, a large gift shop, regional displays, a theater, educational information about the caverns and the surrounding landscape. There are also hiking trails, lockers, shaded picnic areas, a cafe, an amphitheater, and a hummingbird garden. For more information call (602) 542-4174 (outside of metro area call toll-free at 800-285-0373) or visit AZStateParks.com.

New state park for Arizona

With all the financial problems the states are having, and especially in Arizona where several of the state parks have already closed, you wouldn't think that the state would be adding a new state park.

Well, actually, they aren't. But they are about to change the name of Hololovi Ruins State Park to a different name, possibly dropping the word "Ruins" from the name as has been requested by the Hope Tribe, who will be operating the park.

With the grand re-opening of the State Parks/Hopi Tribe partnership to launch on March 18, the State Parks Board asking for public comment. They are open to any suggestions the public may have to offer about this name change and will discuss this at the March 17, 2011 public Board meeting in Winslow City Council Chambers.

Public suggestions about changing the name of the State Park may be directed to the Arizona State Parks website "Comments" section.

These Hopi ancestral villages at Homolovi Ruins State Park include four major pueblos, numerous smaller structures and site features ranging in size from one-room pithouses to a 1200-room pueblo, and panels of petroglyphs with numerous depictions of katcina and clan symbols. The sites date from AD 620-850; AD 1050-1225; and AD 1260-1400.