Into the Big Blue

Youth Outdoor Adventure in the

Blue Range Primitive Area, White Mountains, Arizona

If there’s one place in the Southwest that embodies the spirit of wildness, it’s the Blue Range Primitive Area. Hidden at the far eastern edge of the White Mountains, the Blue Range makes up one of Arizona’s largest tracts of wild land. Its diversity and beauty is dwarfed only by its vastness – nearly 175,000 acres of dense forests, verdant rivers, deep canyons and lush meadows that support abundant populations of black bears, elk, deer, coyotes, mountain lions, eagles, falcons and other wild creatures. For five days we’ll breathe clean air, drink fresh water, and move our bodies over many miles of wild terrain where few people ever venture.

Our adventure will begin by leaving Phoenix and driving to Hannagan Meadow, the tiny mountain town deep within the White Mountains. We’ll camp at KP Cienega Campground, a primitive camping area among spruce, pines and aspens. Participants will learn the importance of good campsite selection, how to set-up their tents, and will explore the lush green environment of this amazing wilderness.

The next day begins the backpacking portion of the adventure, and we’ll walk down Grant Creek in the Blue Range. After 5.5 miles of backcountry travel we’ll arrive at the historic Grant Creek Cabin where we’ll set up camp for the night. Themes of conservation will be discussed, as we will be camping in the only forest in the Southwest where Mexican grey wolves roam free. These majestic predators once roamed freely throughout North America, but a widespread eradication policy beginning in the 1600s erased the presence of gray wolves from 99 percent of their traditional range. In 1998, wildlife biologists began a reintroduction program, and today there are 22 wolves living in or near the Blue. Although that may seem like a tiny number, the good news is that the animals have successfully reproduced in the wild, a fact that has many biologists hopeful for the future of "el lobo." The very thought of Mexican gray wolves walking through the forests of Arizona is an inspiring notion. Just like the Blue, they represent wildness in all its glory.

Our third day will take us through the dense forests of the Blue Range, and along a ridgeline where a massive forest fire has left the landscape bare. Opportunities to learn about fire for a healthy ecosystem, and the consequences of fire suppression over the past 70 years, will help participants learn about the importance of forest management and the important role fires play in Nature. We’ll hike all the way to PBar Lake, a tiny lake where mountain tree frogs will sing us to sleep.

The next morning we’ll hike along Foote Creek and look for wolf tracks by the water’s edge. Emerging from the forest where we started a few days before, we will camp among wildflowers and butterflies in the Hannagan Meadow Campground and celebrate a grand backpacking adventure in a seldom visited portion of Arizona.

On our last day we’ll pack up and head back toward Phoenix, but only after stopping for a swimming and splashing experience in Carrizo Creek, Salt River, or another safe, fun body of water along the way.

Some of the topics, lessons and skills to be learned during this adventure include:

- Leave No Trace ethics for low-impact camping and travel in the wilderness

- Awareness

- Ecology (biology, botany, geology and natural history)

- Native American culture, past and present

- Orienteering and map reading

- Interconnectedness

- Shared responsibilities and teamwork

- Leadership

- Primitive skills

- Conservation

WHAT TO BRING

Shoes or boots for hiking over rough terrain

Sandals or flip flops

Socks (4 pairs)

Undies (4 pairs)

Long pants (lighter material is much better than jeans)

Shorts

Swim wear

Hat (for sun protection)

Waterproof jacket

Basic, minimal toiletries (sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)

2 large plastic bags for waterproofing backpack contents

Pillow (for car camping)

Journal and pens, pencils, etc, for writing and drawing

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Food (healthy, organic food throughout the trip!)

Everything for cooking, cleaning and eating

Camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, pads)

Backpacks

Transportation

Professional guidance, leadership and instruction