big man tips

RIO SALADO HABITAT RESTORATION AREA Phoenix Dragonflies live in the riparian corridor Just two miles south of downtown Phoenix, where the Salt River once flowed freely, a former dumping ground has been transformed into a thriving oasis in the desert. Hiking in The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is like taking a step back in time to an era before dams placed along the Verde and Salt Rivers in the early 20 th century dried up the channel leaving behind a parched corridor of debris.   Landfills and quarries moved in and the area became blighted.   The site attracts myriad birds and waterfowl In 1993, the City of Phoenix began efforts to restore a portion of the river to improve the urban landscape, help in flood management and provide recreation and educational opportunities.   The $100 million project was completed in 2005. With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and droves of volunteers, tons of waste were cle...

PINE LAKES TRAIL #316 Thumb Butte North Trails Pine Lakes Trail flanks Willow Creek  Pick a day following a good monsoon soaking to hike Pine Lakes Trail #316.   That way, you�ll have the best chance to see the tiny waterfalls that tumble over logs and rocks in Willow Creek. Canyon grapes grow along the creek Arguably the most ecologically diverse route in the north segment of Prescott�s Thumb Butte Recreation Area, trail #316 packs a lot of interesting elements into its short length. The first half-mile of the trek moves through an exposed landscape of juniper and oak under the imposing pinnacle of Thumb Butte. The trail climbs easily to a point where the Bradshaw Mountains peek out from behind the butte before beginning its descent into the riparian corridor of Willow Creek.   A post-monsoon mini waterfall As the trail switchbacks down into the gorge, the vegetation makes an abrupt shift from sparse scrub and cacti to rich greenery shaded by arching oaks and soaring Pon...

OBSERVATORY MESA NATURAL AREA Flagstaff Observatory Tank along Forest Road 515 Wavyleaf thistle and guests Allow me to introduce A-1 Mountain, ruler of magma, queen of ashes and Mother of the Mesa. This dramatic introduction�admittedly inspired by a certain fantasy franchise�is an accurate description of the 300,000-year-old cinder cone located on the urban-forest interface west of Flagstaff. A-1 Mountain is the source of volcanic materials that built Observatory Mesa and other nearby geological features. Rising to 8,300 feet, the pine-cloaked mound is just one of many visual goodies dished out to visitors of the Observatory Mesa Natural Area. A-1 Mountain is a 300,000 -year-old cinder cone volcano The 2,251-acre site was acquired by the City of Flagstaff in 2013 to preserve native ecosystems and an essential wildlife corridor while allowing for  recreation.   Rich in biodiversity, the landscape is a mix of pine-oak woodlands, grasslands, shrubby range, tiny drainage areas and...

JONES CROSSING Coconino National Forest A doggie paradise The water of East Clear Creek nourishes a sweet ribbon of green across the Mogollon Rim and a hike into the beautiful Jones Crossing area of this perennial stream rewards with exposure to an impossibly lush canyon flanked by contorted limestone cliffs. East Clear Creek The trek begins at Jones Crossing bridge where hikers can follow the stream either north or south. The southbound strip is most scenic and better shaded. Right out of the chute, the route---which roughly follows a closed 4x4 road----drops hikers into a field of thigh-high grasses splattered with OxEye Daisies and wild geraniums. Yellow columbine From here, just follow the water to enter a steep-walled canyon with intermittent pools and trickling rivulets smothered in ferns and bobbing yellow Columbine. Water levels fluctuate so be prepared for wet feet as there are a few spots where crossings require some ankle-deep wading. LENGTH: Southbound (as described here) ...

MORMON MOUNTAIN Coconino National Forest Mormon Mountain Having hiked up Mormon Mountain perhaps a dozen times, I�ve decided to give it a nickname: Upside Down Mountain. That�s because when compared to a typical mountain trek experience, this one plays outside the box. First, the most difficult climbing happens along its base rather than near the top and second, views normally gained on summits are seen near the bottom of this trail.   Although some online reports besmirch Mormon Mountain Trail #58 because of its failure to conform, I rank it high on my list of must-dos because of its renegade nature.   Dense coniferous forests cover much of the trail Shrouded in an old growth forest, the lumpy dome of Mormon Mountain is an impressive landmark on the western edge of Flagstaff�s plateau lakes region.   Despite its beguiling profile, the trail that ascends its southeast face is pleasantly devoid of crowds. Richardson's Geranium bloom April through October The route�s gradua...

FRUITS OF THE DESERT GUIDED HIKES Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek Saguaro fruits ripen in early July The Rim is on fire, Flagstaff is covered in smoke, there's a blaze on Mt.Graham and who knows what other wildfires will break out and cause closures to our high-country hiking trails over the next few weeks?   Of course, we must first be concerned with the safety of firefighters and the communities surrounding the blazes. No matter how badly we Valley dwellers want to escape the heat and hike in the cool pines, we should stay out of the way. So, what? Give up hiking until the monsoon comes? No way. Instead, stay in town and take part in a hike that celebrates the annual ripening of saguaro fruits.  Ranger Kevin Smith at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area in Cave Creek has educational hikes planned for July 1, 7 and 8 that focus on the identification of wild foods hiding in plain sight along local trails. Harvesting saguaro fruits The treks start early and end bef...

Sven Scheuermeier [Episode 110] Today's episode of the Social Work Podcast is the first of a three-part series on the arc of therapy � the beginning, middle and end.  In today�s episode I�m going to talk about the beginning phase of therapy. I'll talk about some conceptual issues like what do people want when they come to treatment, and how should you be with clients? I�m also going to review some of the more concrete aspects of the beginning of treatment like biopsychosocial and DSM assessment, talking about confidentiality and billing. I want this episode to be interesting whether you�re a first year social work student or a 35 year veteran of the field. I�d like to thank TheraNest for sponsoring this three episode series. TheraNest is simple and affordable practice management software. To start your free 21-day trial and save 20% on your first 3 months, sign up at  theranest.com/socialworkpodcast . Download MP3  [46:28] TheraNest.com is a practice management and the...