"Jeep Club" Trip to Picketpost Mountain
And Arnett Creek January 29, Friday

      Arboretum members who are into photography, birds and nature: have you wanted to explore more of Arizona's breathtaking back country -- but you don't drive a Jeep or truck, or don't have a friend with a FourRunner, RAV, or other high clearance vehicle suitable to tame a rutted, washboard road?

      Join our staff and volunteers January 29, Friday, for a chance to check out the back side of Picketpost Mountain -- with an optional hike back to BTA down Arnett Creek. Spaces are limited, there's a $25 donation per person, and this trip is limited to Arboretum annual members who would like to participate with our next "Jeep Club" day-trip excursion. Plan for an early morning - we open at 8:00 a.m. and will depart the visitor center no later than 8:30 a.m. -- complete details will be provided to participants who sign-up.

      Jeep Club outings have been popular fundraisers since June when Arboretum volunteers and staff began teaming up to offer monthly day-trips to great places nearby -- a collaboration to help raise money for the Arboretum -- while giving us all a chance to make some new friends and explore great places within an hour or two's drive of the Arboretum! These informal road trips are only open to "Friends of the Arboretum" Annual Members -- sign up by calling Membership Coordinator Lorrie Polley at 520-689-2723 during daytime business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Email Lorrie at members@ag.arizona.edu

      In exchange for a minimum donation of $25 per person, our staff and volunteers arrange the cars, drivers and some great "color commentary" about the plants, birds and landmarks we find along our trip. Bring your own lunch and snacks -- these trips are limited to about 12 participants, pre-payment is required, and we also require that participants each sign an insurance liability waiver.

     Feel free to donate more, if you wish -- and please offer your driver some gas money in appreciation for sharing the time, fuel and wear-and-tear on their vehicles. October 4 (Sunday) we will meet at 8:00 a.m. in order to get started before the day heats up too much. Plan to bring your own lunch and snacks, we'll provide coolers and will also have water. What else should you bring? A camera, binoculars, wide-brimmed hat and plenty of sunscreen!


What can you expect on this scenic day trip?

      - A bumpy ride! If you have back trouble or have had recent surgery, the jarring, rattling drive around the back side of Picketpost Mountain is not reccommended.

      - Roadside scenery is impressive, though - we'll pass by the Apache Tears Mine and an overlook which affords a great view of Telegraph Canyon and also Arnett Canyon and Arnett Creek.
      - A chance to learn about the plants and critters of the Picketpost Moutain foothills
      - Chapparal communities including manzanita, ceanothus and higher elevation plants
      - "Camera Ready" 360-degree views as the road ascends to the south of Picketpost
      - Possible sightings of larg mammals such as Coues whitetail deer, or mule deer -- maybe even Desert Bighorn Sheep!

      These trips are limited to Boyce Thompson Arboretum annual members - and we require pre-payment of $25 per person. In June we visited the Pinals, July we explored the Workman Creek road up to Aztec Peak in the Sierra Anchas -- then traveled up-and-over Four Peaks, and in November our intrepid explorers circled Montana Mountain. Future trips we're considering include a drive and hike into Box Canyon to see the historic Coke Ovens. Join us for a chance to raise some money for BTA -- and to explore a few nearby places you may have heard about, but never thought you'd have the opportunity to see!

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located at highway 60 milepost 223, a drive of about one hour due east of Phoenix. Read more about annual membership