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To
Cave Creek
Canyon Friends
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Barfoot Park!
May 16, 2020
Barfoot Park by Steve Wolfe: Barfoot Park is high up, near Rustler Park and is a mountain meadow surrounded with tall pine trees. It's a really special place, and, thank goodness, was one of the areas up along the ridgeline that was spared being burned by the Horseshoe 2 Fire which devastated nearly 349 square miles back in 2011.
You can see the differences at Regrowth after fire of 2011
Barfoot Park in a few weeks, as the
below was taken in early May and the
above was taken a few days ago.
[Above and below by Peg Abbott]
Taken early May
Mountain Chickadee Pygmy Nuthatch
Pictures by Steve Wolfe
Greater Pewee Olive Warbler
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Centella Ridge Hike, May 7, 2020
by Rolf Koford
Seven hikers and a dog caravanned to Rustler Park with the goal of hiking out the Centella Ridge and enjoying the magnificent view of the Cave Creek watershed, seen above in a panoramic shot.
We hiked along the road about a mile and a half to Long Park, where we took the Long Park Trail to Fly Saddle and the Centella Trail. We encountered a dozen or so trees across the trail but were able to navigate around them. Tub Spring had flowing water. Most hikers went all the way to Centella Point (below) before returning to our lunch spot overlook. Silver Peak, Portal Peak
and distant mountain ranges were all laid out before us.
Lupines were the stars of
the wildflower show but we saw hints that the irises will soon be joining in.
Returning to Rustler Park, the group detoured around a couple
more downed trees before enjoying the newly renovated trail
overlooking Rustler Park. Hikers who had circumnavigated Fly
Peak had hiked about nine and a half miles.
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Photos from around Portal
Blue Grosbeak by Steve Wolfe
Bobcat by Fred Espenak Western Screech-owl by Sara Stumbo
 
Young ground squirrel by Barbara Ellis-Quinn Burrowing Owl by Steve Wolfe [taken south of Portal]
Great Horned Owl nestling by Debb Johnson
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Visitor Information Center Is Still Closed
In Response to COVID-19
It may partly reopen in early June
Forest Service established campgrounds were closed on 3/23/20.
Herb Martyr and Rustler Park Campgrounds are now open. Sunny Flat, Idlewilde and Stewart Campgrounds remain closed through June.
Dispersed camping is allowed.
The forest remains open.
Call (520) 558-2221 or (520) 388-8436 for Information
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Super Moon at Dawn by Steve Wolfe
Cholla with nest by Fuji Daussin Iris by Peg Abbott
Taken by Marc Smelser
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SEEKING SUPPORT
SOUTH FORK CAVE CREEK PROJECT
Reed Peters, President, FOCCC
I wanted to let you know that the Friends of Cave Creek Canyon has been working with the Forest Service for the past 18 months on a plan to replace the picnic area that was removed after the flood of 2014. We were told in 2018 that if we ever wanted a picnic area, restrooms, benches and other trails in South Fork again, we would need to pay for it, as the Forest Service did not have funds for it.
Based on hydrology surveys, there is not enough room at the end of the road for a new picnic area with bathroom, so some or all of those amenities may be further down the road, probably about a quarter mile from the paved road. We're also recommending there will be benches along the South Fork Road, a handicapped accessible trail along the creek, as well as some more informative signage about the uniqueness of the canyon. There has been much comment and
many different views expressed over the past year, with a lively public meeting in March. The ultimate decision on what, if anything, may happen belongs to the Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife. We should hear late this year.
The total project estimates are in the $130,000 range, but final costs may be higher or lower. The bathroom estimates alone are in the $80,000 to $90,000 range.
[By Kristian McIntyre]
Friends of Cave
Creek Canyon can currently cover about $70,000 of the $130,000, so we're hope to raise about $60,000, if these estimates are accurate.
We are not asking for any additional money for this project now, as it has not been approved.
What we would like are pledges that we could count on, should the project be approved.
Please consider a pledge to this worthy project!
Should you wish to talk directly to me about the project, I'm at 520-558-2334, and would be very happy to provide more detail. Email is info@cavecreekranch.com .
Thank you for considering this project.
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Photos by Bob Rodrigues
Bob is a member of FOCCC and also has an excellent bird watching property on Foothills Rd,
adjacent
to the creek crossing. This site is open to birders. Check it out!
Spotted Owl Northern Pygmy-Owl
Red-faced Warbler Painted Redstart
Crissal Thrasher Texas Horned Lizard
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Taken from Silver Peak area by Marc Smelser
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FOCCC 2020 Officers and Board
Reed Peters President
Other Board Members
Sheri Ashley Vice President
Bob Ashley
Mike Williams Vice President
Alan Craig
Rick Beno
Treasurer
Rene Donaldson
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Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon
PO Box 16126
Portal, Arizona 85632 Visit Our Website |
Thanks to our "Sustainer's Circle" and Lifetime Members
for their generous support:
Kirby Alguire, Tom Arny, Bob and Bettina Arrigoni, Susan Dalby & Eskild Peterson, Stephen Durkovich, L. Syrene Forsman, Mary George, Bill and Sally Hague, Paul Hirt and Linda Jakse, Fritz and Gayle Jandry, Don Hollister, Claudia Kirscher, Mike Leuthold, Barbara Lounsbery, Patrick McNamara, John and Karin McQuillan, Barbara and Pete Miller, Patricia Parran, Cecilia Raak, Tom Roseman and Paula Baldwin, Delia Scholes and Ed Newbold, John and Linda Sumner, Jeff and Alice Wakefield, and Bob and Sherry Zoellick.
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Please support our Business Members who have given generously to Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon. Without their assistance, we would be hard pressed to accomplish our goals. Click on their names to check out their websites.
Business Memberships start at just $50.00!
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