Upcoming_trips_activities


	Mexico, Estero Tastiota Trip - Feb. 23 - 26 (Thurs-Sun), 2012
	Dates: Feb. 23 to 26 (Thurs.- Sun.) Estero Tastiota is an estuary on the Sonoran coast of Mexico with an incredible array of waterfowl, located halfway between Kino Bay and San Carlos. If you are interested in waterfowl, this place will knock your socks off. That is the prime focus of this trip, to view and photograph the birds. You will want to bring your binoculars, bird book, and telephoto lens if you have one. Here's the deal. We drive down on Thursday to El Colorado (~7 road hours), camping with the vehicles. The following morning we'll paddle 6 miles up the coast to the mouth of the estuary which will be our camp for the next two nights. The last day we'll paddle back and drive home. When the tide is in you can paddle anywhere in the estuary but when it is out you will be restricted to the channels. Typically at this time of year, the days will be warm, the evenings cool but be prepared for any weather. No camp fires at this site. Pack out human waste. Participants should be confident of their ability to paddle in moderate seas. Most advanced beginners and intermediate level paddlers should do fine. Everyone needs a valid passport for this trip. Drivers need Mexico car insurance. There are no fees for tourist permits (we'll get these south of the border) and car permits are not required for this part of Sonora. We'll decide carpooling and vehicles to take in the week before the trip. Questions/comments: wolffsongg@juno.com

	2nd - Mexico trip to Estero Tastiota Trip - Mar. 2 - 5 (Fri.-Mon.), 2012
	Dates: Mar. 2 - 5 (Friday - Monday) Steve Anderson will be leading a second trip to Estero Tastiota in lieu that the first trip is full to this popular location. Please contact Steve to sign-up since there is a need to coordinate carpooling, meeting place, etc. This trip has the same description as above only done the following weekend. Questions or sign-up - contact Steve at: 591-6318 or scaent@comcast.net

	Lower Colorado Trip: Walter’s Camp to Fishers Landing - Feb. 20 -23, 2012
	Dates: Mon. - Thurs. Feb. 20 - 23, 2012. Walters Camp is off highway 78 about 35 miles south of Blythe. 2556 Walters Camp Rd, Palo Verde, CA 92266, (760) 854-3322 Fisher’s Landing is just south of Lake Martinez and north of Yuma, AZ, 10882 N. Swede Way, Yuma, AZ 85365 Suggested Itinerary: I put this together based on other trip descriptions from people familiar with this trip. Outright copied parts of it. Day 1: Drive to Fisher’s Landing and Shuttle to Walter’s Camp We need to arrive at Fishers Landing in the afternoon. There is free parking next to the Fisher’s Landing Bar. Helen Howard, who runs the shuttle service, says she has left vehicles and boats there for many years without an incident. Helen Howard’s Shuttle service will shuttle us from Fisher’s Landing to Walter’s Camp. We spend the first night at Walters Camp at the camp ground there. Day 2: Walter’s Camp to 4-S Campground (Approx. 14.5 river miles) We’ll put in after breakfast and paddle down the Colorado River through the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. There is a possible stop at the Draper Ranch. Beaks and snacks and lunch stops are on sand bars. We should reach the campground at 4-S Ranch by midafternoon. 4-S is a fee campground, four or five dollars per person (tip: bring dollar bills). The campground is developed with a large camping area, fire rings, picnic tables and toilets. Day 3: 4-S Ranch to Picacho State Park (Approx. 6 river miles) This is a short paddle with plenty of time for recreation and a couple of stops at historic sites. The evening camp will be at the group site in Picacho State Park. We can hike up to an old gold mine a couple of miles away. The camp has a nice solar hot water heater (1500 gallons) so there has been hot water there according to the posts I’ve read. Day 4: Picacho State Park to Fisher’s Landing (Approx. 12 river miles) We’ll try for an early start to allow time for exploring. There are a couple of gold mines and other sites to explore. The trip to Fishers Landing takes several hours with an expected arrival between noon and 2:00 PM. We can grab a hamburger at the Fisher’s Landing Bar (excellent reputation) and then head home. Anticipated Costs: I suggest we car pool and share the cost of gas to Fisher’s Landing. There’s no charge for parking. We are each responsible for our own food and camping/boating gear. Most of us have kayaks; however, kayaks or canoes can be rented from the outfitter (see below). Camping fees at Walter’s Camp are $9.00 or $10.00. Camping at Picacho is $4.00 or $5.00. You need cash for the fees. There is no change available so bring singles. The shuttle is potentially the largest cost. If we go on one of the above dates, Helen Howard (the shuttle service owner) will already have vans and boat trailers in the area. This will allow us to keep the shuttle fee to around $35.00 per person. Helen can also rent a kayak or canoe if someone needs one (additional fee). The shuttle price for this trip is usually $125.00 a person for groups of 8 or less and $100.00 a person for groups of 9 and up. We will need to commit to a date in the next couple of weeks to get the discount. Shuttle Service: Desert River Outfitters, Helen Howard, Owner 1034 Highway 95, Bullhead City, AZ 86429 1-888-KAYAK-33 info@desertriveroutfitters.com Weather: This a premier time to kayak this stretch of the Colorado River. Several other groups will be on the river at the same time. Average temperatures are in the 70’s and 80’s during the day and in the 50’s at night. You should have good camping gear and suitable clothes for evening camp to keep warm on this trip. There is a certain amount of unpredictability in winter weather. Winter storms can drop temperatures significantly, so we need to watch the weather and be prepared. A large storm system could result in a cancelled or rescheduled trip. Hey, it’s the outdoors. Contact: Tim Connolly 520-247-9218 timc27@cox.net

	Sea of Cortez, Tiburon Island, San Esteban Island 3/22 to 4/3, 2012
	Dates: Thurs. March 22 to Tues. April 3, 2012 We will explore the east and south coasts of Tiburon Island before crossing (conditions permitting) the 7-8 miles to San Esteban Island in the middle of the Sea of Cortez. Participants need to be experienced in open water paddling, basic navigation, self and assisted rescues, and in good physical shape since winds and currents can be challenging and long paddling days are possible. Weather and tide conditions will determine daily paddling mileages and itinerary. We need to be totally self-contained including carrying all our own water and food. This area is home to interesting and diverse flora and fauna including the cordon, organ pipe and pitahaya cacti, elephant trees, chuckwalla, and varied reptiles and mammals. The sea is alive with dolphins, whales, turtles and sea birds. If you love wide open spaces, beautiful and private campsites, and challenging paddling, this is a trip for you! You'll need a valid passport for return to the US and a Mexico visa which is obtained after crossing the border. Expenses include visa fee, shared gas and insurance, possible parking fee. We can discuss details when the group is determined. Contact: Jack Kriendler 743-9867


	Southwest Kayak Symposium - March 23-25, 2012
	Dates: March 23 - 25, 2012 An event for: Those who have never kayaked before! Those who make kayaking a lifestyle decades ago! Anyone who's considering buying a kayak! Registration and schedule for all events, classes and times will be posted on the SKS website in Jan. 2012, please check back. Website: http://www.aqua-adventures.com/symposium%20index.html For other info, E-mail: info@aqua-adventures.com info@aqua-adventures.com

	Club Paddle & Camp Clinic and Spring Patagonia Lake Clean-up and Picnic - Apr. 14-15, 2012.
	Dates: Sat. April 14: Paddle & Camp Clinic in afternoon - Sun. April 15: Spring lakeshore clean-up & picnic for all. Meet: Time for clinic in PM TBA. Sunday - clean-up starts at 09:00 to noon followed by picnic. All members invited and park entrance fees will be waived for all participants on Sunday. Bring: Camping gear for boats or whatever you have for camping off shore at boat-in camps. Note: All sites at the campground are electric & must be reserved (Sat. night) or try FCFS at boat-in sites (find early). More info TBA. Carpooling and other info, contact: Royce Davenport - 762-9263 or Steve Anderson - 591-6318


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