Hiking News - December 2008

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Nature Events in Sedona at Red Rock State Park

Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Phoenix, Arizona - Enjoy the winter by taking a hike or bird walk in Sedona in January 2009 at Red Rock State Park.

On Sunday, January 4, 2009, Betsy Fahlman, a Professor of Art History at Arizona State University, will present "A Gallop Through the Art History of Arizona." Arizona reflects the significant issues and themes explored by those artists who established what comprised "The West" for those who had never been here. Material relating to tourism, movies, pulp magazines and literature will enrich this discussion. Major themes will be discussed including mining, the transformative industry of the American West. Since the 19th century the subject inspired Arizona's central role in the mining industry resulting in its nickname, "The Copper State." The Arizona Humanities Council and the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park sponsor this program. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. Please call (928) 282-6907.

On Sunday, January 11, visitors can join a volunteer on a guided geology hike through Red Rock State Park. This hike includes the Eagle's Nest Trail for a great view of the park and the surrounding area. More than just a guided hike, this is an interpretive experience for the beginner as well as advanced geologist. The hike lasts 2 to 2½ hours and has a 250-foot elevation climb. Enjoy an afternoon with our knowledgeable volunteer guide as the rock formations that create the scenic backdrop of Red Rock State Park are explained. Bring water and wear suitable shoes or boots. Reservations may be required for this hike. Please call (928) 282-6907 for additional information.

Every Wednesday and Saturday at 9 a.m. during January, visitors will find bird enthusiasts joining a naturalist for a "Guided Bird Walk." Beginners as well as advanced birders are welcome. Rangers recommend visitors bring their own binoculars. A limited number are available for loan from the park.

Daily at 10 a.m., visitors can join a naturalist on a guided nature walk that lasts 1½ to 2 hours and will introduce them to the riparian ecosystem of Oak Creek and other aspects of the park. Plants, wildlife, geology, history and archaeology are some of the subjects that may be discussed.

Daily at 2 p.m., the park hosts either a guest speaker or a ranger/naturalist led activity of approximately 45-minutes. Programs may include a nature-hike, a special presentation or an educational/nature video. This program may be an indoor or outdoor activity.

For more information or reservations call (928) 282-6907. Red Rock State Park is located on the Lower Red Rock Loop Road off Hwy 89A, southwest of Sedona. Park hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Park Entrance Fee is $6 per vehicle for up to 4 adults, each additional adult is charged $2 each. (There is no charge for children). A $2 per person entrance fee applies to pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists. Arizona State Parks Annual Pass is available for $50 (some restrictions apply).

The unique land-based ecosystem, closely associated with Oak Creek, provides the setting and the opportunity for Red Rock State Park to offer a center for environmental education. With its diverse riparian habitat for plants and wildlife, Red Rock State Park offers special hikes and programs as a regular part of the park's environmental program.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

Trevelez is the Best Hiking Spot in Sierra Nevada

Tuesday, 23 December 2008

Italy, Italian Republic – Sierra Nevada which is called as the ultimate skiing range for adventure lovers also provides a number of other adventure sports which one can enjoy to the hilt. One of them is hiking and trekking along the steepest and dangerous mountain range of Andalusia.

Trevelez village in Sierra Nevada has been declared as the highest point of its location of being 1500 m above sea level. In fact, it is being touted as the ideal place to start hiking along the mountainous treks. Many people approach the village to set their base camp before taking on the dangerous trek.

Another point in favor of Trevelez is the close proximity of Mulhacen which is considered as the highest mountain range in Peninsula, El Chorrillo, the Tagus Pañabon and Window Rock. Now you can enjoy the beautiful slopes and beaches of Sierra Nevada and explore the wilderness with hiking only in Trevelez, Sierra Nevada, Spain.

Feel like paying Sierra Nevada a visit? Want to run through the snow capped mountains of Sierra Nevada, the southernmost region of Spain? Find out more about the valley only at www.go-sierra-nevada.com.

Source: www.free-press-release.com

Golden Gate Highlands To Attract More Tourists

Sunday, 21 December 2008

In a move poised to boost the fledgling economy of the Free State province, Golden Gate Highlands National Park – already a popular domestic and international tourism destination – is set to attract even more visitors this year.

This follows the opening of the beautiful accommodation outlet, the Basotho Cultural Village Rest Camp. This development in the park includes 24 accommodation units that are available as from 05 December 2008.

Situated against the backdrop of the majestic Drakensberg Mountain range in the foothills of the Maluti mountains of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the eastern Free State Province, Golden Gate is easily accessible to visitors from most parts of the country, particularly those from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State Province.

The Basotho Cultural Village, which is situated in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park following the incorporation of the former Qwa Qwa Nature Reserve, is one of the successful living cultural museums in South Africa and already attracts tourists throughout the year. The very popular Basotho Cultural Village provided an opportunity for extension and a decision was taken to provide tourism accommodation as part of the current facility.

The new accommodation will support the Basotho Cultural Village theme, with views over the plains where game congregates in large numbers during certain times of the year. This camp offers the following number of economy self-catering facilities: 12 x 2 bed units and 12 x 4 bed units. As part of our opening special, we will include a tour of the Basotho Cultural Village living cultural museum for every booking at the rate of R475 per night as a once off and coordinated through the cultural village. Pensioners will get a discount on booking.

For enquiries, contact Gabriel Motsosi: Tourism Manager, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South African National Parks at tel: (058)-255 1013.

Source: www.sanparks.org

The New Garden Route Park Is Here

Friday, 19 December 2008

The proposal for proclaiming the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) was finally gazetted and the proclamation of the Park is now only months away.

There are only three other National Parks in the world where residents live inside the borders of the proclaimed Park - in Italy, Canada and the USA - and the new Garden Route National Park will be the first of its kind on the African contine nt.

Mvusy Songelwa, Regional Manager of SANParks Garden Route said it is an exciting challenge for the area. "The National Park will be made up of the currently proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Park, the Knysna National Lake Area, the Southern Cape Indigenous Forests and the associated fynbos Mountain Catchment Areas."

"The team in the Garden Route will be part of the coining of a unique conservation model in South Africa and Africa. The geographical diversity of these various areas makes for an exceptional conservation model. There will be no other National Park in South Africa that will include the unique combination of marine, coastal, lakes, indigenous forests and mountain catchment areas. The National Park will also not have any additional entrance gates and fences erected to mark its boundaries other than those already in place at the various camps. Our distinctive economic drive will be ‘conservation without boundaries’ in the landscape, unlike in other parks with fenced boundaries."

The statutory 60 days for public comment will apply and during this time SANParks Garden Route will host public information sessions, starting in January 2009. Songelwa said it is important that the community is part of the process. "We want to encourage the public to write their comments directly to the Department of Environmental Affairs as per the gazette requirement."

Once the 60 days period has expired and pending public comments to the Minster, the proclamation will follow suite. "We hope that the new National Park will be a reality by Easter 2009," said Songelwa.

Source: www.sanparks.org

Timm Chapman Photography

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Phoenix, Arizona - Timm Chapman's greatest love is landscape photography using Mother Nature as his model. He will be featured in a solo exhibition in the visitors' gallery at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park during January 2009.

"Capturing Mother Nature is a daunting task," says Chapman. "She has many moods, many faces and a spectrum of beauty that is a true challenge to capture ac curately. The elements of light, composition and drama must be present and come together to capture an image that evokes emotion."

Chapman will display a variety of images from his "Lords of the Arctic series," which captures the great Polar Bear on the Tundra of Northern Canada. He will also exhibit his unique "Sands of Time," which showcases the power and beauty of sand, particularly focusing on an errie town that is being consumed by sands in the Namib Desert in Southwest Africa.

Chapman moved to Arizona to live amongst spectacular landscapes. His home is at the base of the Superstition Mountains, which he says is an ideal base for photography. He makes the Arboretum a destination because the cacti and succulents make great abstracts that lend themselves equally well to black and white or color.

The Pinal County resident will teach a class January 17 for 12 pre-registered students. They will walk through the Cactus Gardens with cameras from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. Class enrollment is $15 for Arboretum members and $22.50 for non-members. Phone 520-689-2723 to register.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located on U.S. Highway 60 three miles west of historic Superior in the shadow of Picket Post Mountain. Visit http://ag.arizona.edu/Bta for more information.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

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