Rincon Group programs are from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. They are at the Ward Three Tucson City Council Office, 1510 E. Grant Road. They are free and open to the public. Refreshments served.

Thursday, January 9. Sierra Club says “No Al Muro.” Border militarization and wall construction are causing widespread destruction in the México-U.S. borderlands, Indigenous lands that host vibrant communities and many of the region’s most precious water resources. More than 650 miles of barriers and walls have been built without regard for laws that protect land, air, water, historic and cultural sites, and religious freedom. Instead of addressing issues at the root of human migration, today’s administration and the U.S. Congress are doubling down on nearly three decades of failed border policy: more walls, agents, and sweetheart deals for security contractors and wall-builders. Roger Carrillo, a longtime Tucsonan and Sierra Club Borderlands Team volunteer, will be joined by other Sierra Club Borderlands activists and bring a variety of materials to inform the audience about what’s happening and what actions we can take.

Thursday, February 13. Water in the Spotlight. Drought. Recharge. Rising water levels in the Santa Cruz River on the San Xavier District, Tohono O'odham Nation. City wells shut down due to contaminants. Border water issues. Alarms sound about proposed mining projects. Water is in the news. With a strong membership base, Community Water Coalition of Southern Arizona, of which Sierra Club Rincon Group is a member, monitors water issues from the Gila River watershed south to the Mexico-U.S. border. Melanie Mizell, CWC-SOAZ contractor and environmental consultant, tells us what is new, and how the CWC-SOAZ engages on water issues.

Thursday, March 12. The Right to be Wild, the Story of the Mexican Gray Wolf. Please join us for a screening of the film Right to be Wild, which is a tale of hope, struggle, survival and determination. It is the story of the Mexican gray wolf, the lobo; one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Discussion with a panel of experts, providing updates on Mexican wolf recovery and actions you can take to help with recovery of the lobo in the wild, follows the film screening. 

JAN 11 (SAT) “A” Devil’s Canyon Dayhike (5 mi. RT) Join us for a non-technical off-trail hike through spectacular Devils Canyon, also known as Gaan Canyon. Despite the modest roundtrip mileage, the hiking is strenuous. There are a few down climbs to be negotiated. We will hike to the first pool in an area known as the Seven Sacred Pools. If the weather is warm, this will be a great place for a refreshing swim. Devils Canyon and Oak Flat are threatened by a highly controversial mine project which will destroy the area. The canyon is the sacred homeland of the Apache people. A foreign mining company wants to build a huge blockade style mine, creating a giant cave 6,000 feet below the surface. Because they are not planning to backfill it with mine tailings. Contact Mitch Stevens at mitchstevens@stevenslloydgroup.com or 520-991-1199.

JAN 11 (SAT) “A” Mt Kimball – Pima Canyon Traverse (10.5 mi. Total, 4974’ AEG). This hike starts at the Finger Rock trailhead and ascends Finger Rock Canyon which is famous for its dramatic view of Finger Rock. The summit of Mt. Kimball (7258’) is a Tucson landmark and offers views of Mount Lemmon and Cathedral rock. The trip down follows the Pima Canyon trail and a car shuttle will be set up in advance for the return to Finger Rock trailhead. Plan on a full day of hiking. Contact Donald Smith at donsc@the3smiths.com or 520-222-9645.

JAN 19 (SUN) “C” Santa Catalina Mountains: Babad Do’ag Trail (4.5 miles RT, 1,200 ft EC). This south-facing trail is great for winter hiking. Learn the meaning and significance of this trail name and take in a view of the east side of Tucson. We will talk about our public lands: national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. Limit 15. Contact Meg Weesner for details at mweesner@att.net or 520-576-2083.

JAN 25 (SAT) “B” Thimble Peak (11.5 mi.RT, 1830’ AEG). This uniquely shaped 5323’ peak is a well known Tucson landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. There is a good trail most of the way to the peak; the final mile involves some off-trail hiking. We will climb the North Spire, and from the peak you will be rewarded with extensive views of Tucson. Plan on a full day. Contact Donald Smith at donsc@the3smiths.com or 520-222-9645.

JAN 25 (SAT) “C+” Buffelgrass Removal and Sustainable Home Tour (3-4 miles RT, 500 ft. elev. gain and physical labor) Help us eliminate buffelgrass in a beautiful part of Saguaro NP(W). Park personnel will provide instructions, gloves, and tools. Bring water, sun protection, and lunch. Sturdy footwear is vital because we'll hike off-trail and work in rough terrain. After the morning hike and buffelgrass removal we'll eat lunch on a porch with a dramatic view of the National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of a post and beam house with strawbale infill, off-the grid solar electricity, passive solar heating, composting toilets, earthen plaster, and rainwater harvesting for all the home's water needs. The house was built to minimize its visual impact on the stunning landscape. To see photos go to the Buffelgrass and House Construction galleries at www.FrankStaub.com. Contact: Frank Staub, fjstaub@hotmail.com 520-260-1400.

FEB 7-9 (FRI-SUN) “A” Paradise Backpack  (22 miles RT) Deep in the heart of the Mazatzal Wilderness exists a place few people have ventured, a place we call “Paradise.” But to access this area requires a difficult and strenuous trek. Nine miles of trail in, then very difficult cross-country, broken, vertical-walled canyons, scree, and brush choked hillsides are obstacles we must navigate through. Despite devastating fires which ravaged the wilderness several years ago, the Mazatzals are one of Arizona’s best kept backpacking secrets. Strong, experienced hikers will enjoy this outing. Contact Mitch Stevens at mitchstevens@stevenslloydgroup.com or 520-991-1199 for reservations and more information.

FEB 16 (SUN) “B-” Saguaro National Park West: Wasson Peak (8 miles RT, 1,700 ft EC). We will hike the Sendero-Esperanza and Hugh Norris Trails to the summit of Wasson Peak. This route provides a great overview of Avra Valley lands that are threatened by a new interstate. We will talk about Sierra Club’s opposition to I-11 as proposed by AZ Dept. of Transportation, and the status of the environmental review. Limit 18. Contact Meg Weesner for details at mweesner@att.net or 520-576-2083.

FEB 22 (SAT) “C+” Buffelgrass Removal and Sustainable Home Tour (3-4 miles RT, 500 ft. elev. gain and physical labor) Help us eliminate buffelgrass in a beautiful part of Saguaro NP(W). Park personnel will provide instructions, gloves, and tools. Bring water, sun protection, and lunch. Sturdy footwear is vital because we'll hike off-trail and work in rough terrain. After the morning hike and buffelgrass removal we'll eat lunch on a porch with a dramatic view of the National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of a post and beam house with strawbale infill, off-the grid solar electricity, passive solar heating, composting toilets, earthen plaster, and rainwater harvesting for all the home's water needs. The house was built to minimize its visual impact on the stunning landscape. To see photos go to the Buffelgrass and House Construction galleries at www.FrankStaub.com. Contact: Frank Staub, fjstaub@hotmail.com 520-260-1400.

MAR 8-11 (SUN-WED) Canoe or Kayak the Colorado River We’ll travel through Black and ElDorado Canyons camping along the river for two nights. Carpool to Boulder Dam Hotel on Sunday. Either stay at hotel or camp Sunday and launch at Hoover Dam early Monday AM. Cost is $200 which includes canoe rentals, launch permit, shuttles and meals in camp. Please contact Bev Full, bfull@cox.net or 480-221-2554. This trip is currently wait-listed and requires a $100 deposit to cover permits.

MAR 14 (SAT) “A” Circumnavigate Weavers Needle (13 miles RT) This hike features great desert scenery in the historic Superstition Wilderness. Hikers will circumnavigate Weaver Needle on this 13-mile loop. The loop offers amazing views of Weaver Needle. In spring, the trail has an abundance of wildflowers blooming; spring is the best time of year to hike this loop. Contact Mitch Stevens at mitchstevens@stevenslloydgroup.com or 520-991-1199 for reservations and more information.

MAR 28 (SAT) “C+” Buffelgrass Removal and Sustainable Home Tour (3-4 miles RT, 500 ft. elev. gain and physical labor) Help us eliminate buffelgrass in a beautiful part of Saguaro NP(W). Park personnel will provide instructions, gloves, and tools. Bring water, sun protection, and lunch. Sturdy footwear is vital because we'll hike off-trail and work in rough terrain. After the morning hike and buffelgrass removal we'll eat lunch on a porch with a dramatic view of the National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of a post and beam house with strawbale infill, off-the grid solar electricity, passive solar heating, composting toilets, earthen plaster, and rainwater harvesting for all the home's water needs. The house was built to minimize its visual impact on the stunning landscape. To see photos go to the Buffelgrass and House Construction galleries at www.FrankStaub.com. Contact: Frank Staub, fjstaub@hotmail.com 520-260-1400.

MAR 29 (SUN) “C” Saguaro National Park East: Wandering in the Cactus Forest (6 mile loop, 700 ft EC). We will follow a network of trails, including Pink Hill, Squeeze Pen, Loma Verde, and others, looking for wildflowers and appreciating this special place the week before Arizona Public Lands Day. Limit 18. Contact Meg Weesner for details at mweesner@att.net or 520-576-2083.

APR 25 (SAT) “C+” Buffelgrass Removal and Sustainable Home Tour (3-4 miles RT, 500 ft. elev. gain and physical labor) Help us eliminate buffelgrass in a beautiful part of Saguaro NP(W). Park personnel will provide instructions, gloves, and tools. Bring water, sun protection, and lunch. Sturdy footwear is vital because we'll hike off-trail and work in rough terrain. After the morning hike and buffelgrass removal we'll eat lunch on a porch with a dramatic view of the National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of a post and beam house with strawbale infill, off-the grid solar electricity, passive solar heating, composting toilets, earthen plaster, and rainwater harvesting for all the home's water needs. The house was built to minimize its visual impact on the stunning landscape. To see photos go to the Buffelgrass and House Construction galleries at www.FrankStaub.com. Contact: Frank Staub, fjstaub@hotmail.com  520-260-1400.

MAY 4-8 (MON-SAT) Annual Green River/Labyrinth Canyon Canoe Outing Camp 4 nights along the river launching at Crystal Geyser, just south of Green River Utah. Enjoy colorful canyons and formations, and abundant wildlife. Cost of this trip is $250 which covers the canoe rentals, shuttles, and meals in camp. Contact Bev Full, bfull@cox.net or 480 221 2554 for further information.

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