Accomplishments Abound as “Season” Comes to a Close
As the weather warms and some residents depart Fountain Hills for a few months, we would like to share some accomplishments of the Conservancy, Trailblazers and FH Desert Botanical Garden volunteers.
In April the Town Council gave approval to the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (MMPC) to proceed with its proposed 10-Year Plan, which identifies a possibility for several new trails. SCFH volunteers (in their hats) and Trailblazers (in their bright green shirts) came out in force at the Council meeting to voice their support. The Trailblazers wasted no time in getting to work and over the following two Saturdays completed about ¼ mile of a new trail called the North Leg. The trail follows a ridge off the Promenade and will be about one mile when complete.
The SCFH had a very active year as Covid waned and many of its programs, which were put on hold for two seasons, returned. Trailhead hosts provided help and information to Adero Canyon Trailhead visitors, logging more than 450 hours by its 37 volunteers. Trailhead hosts, who volunteer weekend mornings and around holidays, are trained to provide information on the hiking and biking trails within the Preserve and also can assist with logistics and emergencies within the Preserve.
The hiking program was also back to the delight of its participants who were able to take part in 36 hikes, led by 32 leaders/stewards logging more than 350 hours. The program provided participants with not only fitness and exploration hikes within the Preserve and in the mountains in the surrounding area, but there were also Walk and Talk educational programs in the Preserve and at the FH Desert Botanical Garden. Newly added Full Moon and Quarter Moon hikes under the dark skies were also very popular.
In addition to many hours of trail maintenance in the Preserve and on the Overlook Trail, the Trailblazers completed the Lower Ridgeline Trail toward the end of the season. There were 44 volunteers with the Trailblazers during the season and they completed around 1,100 hours of work.