August 20 Field Trip: Herping in the Pajarito Mountains
Join the Tucson Herpetological Society for a night and next morning herping trip to the Pajarito Mountains of southern Arizona to search for many species of reptiles and amphibians found no where else in the United States, including Brown Vinesnake, Thornscrub Hook-nosed Snake, Tarahumara Frogs, and others.
This is a first-come, first-served field trip with limited space. NOTE: the monsoon may have dicey weather and flash-floods and lightning strikes may be possible, so this trip may be rescheduled or cancelled up to the last minute.
For more information, contact Larry Jones at gilaman@comcast.net and visit the THS Website at http://www.tucsonherpsociety.info/category/field-trips/
Please be sure to thoroughly read the following information:
Trip Name: Pajaritos Field Trip, Monsoon 2019
Location: Pajarito Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Maximum Number of Participants: 12 adults.
Directions to Rendezvous Point: From Tucson, take I-10 to I-19; take I-19 south to exit 12; head west on Ruby Road. The rendezvous point is White Rock Campground about 9 miles to the west—right past the end of the pavement. If you stay on the pavement, you will go a short distance to the right to access Pena Blanca Lake—that means you have gone too far.
Date(s): We are planning to meet at White Rock Campground at 4 PM on Tuesday, 20 August 2019, and leaving the next day after we get our fill. Watch for emails or texts should something happen at the last minute. THIS TRIP WOULD NEED TO BE RESCHEDULED IF WEATHER OUTLOOK IS DICEY.
Length of Trip: One night, then following morning. We gather at the rendezvous point at 4 PM. Those wishing to camp can set up their tents or campers then. If others only wish to look for snakes at night, they can meet at the rendezvous point, then head home when they are done for the evening. For campers, we will cruise roads at night or do walking searches, then return to camp, then the following morning, look for snakes and lizards until it gets too hot or we have our fill. If anyone wishes to stay there longer, be our guest—just be at the rendezvous point on time to make plans.
Accommodations (e.g., campground): White Rock Campground is first-come, first served. It costs $10/night but is half price for those with a senior pass. I will have a Red Jeep 4-door Wrangler AZ “Lagarto,” so if you find me, stop by and say “hi” and clinch your campsite, if camping. I’m hoping to have my pop-up trailer, but it is broken more than functional! I can’t hold a campsite for anyone but me, so you might have to fend for yourself. I can use the kiosk there to post messages, so check it if you don’t find me. White Rock is just onto the dirt on Ruby Rd, right after ending of the pavement. If there is not enough room there, there are alternate undeveloped sites nearby. White Rock is a developed campground with a few sites, picnic tables, and a pit toilet, but there is NO WATER, so bring your own. There are no RV hookups, electricity, or sewage. Dry camping only. THS does not allow dogs while looking for herps (unless they are in your car or you are by yourself). Although they are welcome at the campground, it is logistically best to leave Fido at home.
If you want to camp, but don’t like developed campgrounds, there are many dispersed camping opportunities around, like up Peña Blanca Canyon. Alternatively, people have the option to stay at hotels nearby in Nogales or a bit farther away in Tubac or Rio Rico. Please make any hotel reservations on your own. People can also commute from their home, if they prefer. Just be at the rendezvous point on Day 1 at 4 PM or contact me if there is a problem with that.
Facilities: There is a truck stop with fast food (Wendy’s) and gasoline at the junction of Ruby Road and I-19, on the east side of the freeway. Nogales, Arizona, is a few miles to the south along I-19. There are many options for food, drinks, and supplies. There are picnic grounds and restrooms and boating at the nearby Peña Blanca Lake.
Carpooling: Because camping is involved, we will mostly drive individually and meet on Ruby Road. We can determine carpools for going to sites and road-cruising once we are at the staging area.
Logistical Lead and Contact Info: Larry Jones; 520-730-5254; gilaman@comcast.net.
Meeting Area/Rendezvous Point: See “Directions.” We are meeting at White Rock Campground at 4 PM.
Permits and Authorizations Needed: All handlers must have valid state and/or federal scientific collecting permits or hunting or fishing license and not exceed legal authority. See state and federal regulations to know how to comply. There is no collecting for “pets” on THS field trips.
Off-limits Areas: Stay on roadways and on federal lands (USDA Forest Service, Coronado NF manages most of the lands). Stay off private lands off roadways. Do not cross into Mexico, even though some back roads and trails lead there.
Site-specific Safety Alerts: This is during the monsoon, so weather can be dicey, and we will postpone or cancel if inclement weather exists, but weather this time of year is kind of unpredictable, so be aware and savvy of flash-floods, flooding at the campground, and lightning strikes. Never cross flash-flooded washes. Just wait awhile and the water level will recede. If it looks like the campground could flood (it rarely—but not never happens), seek higher ground and stay put till it is safe to proceed. Note that the area DOES NOT HAVE DOPPLER RADAR, so do not rely on it. There is also no cell coverage in most of the area.
