The Work

Join Sky Island Alliance in the field to explore and survey natural springs in the Galiuro Wilderness. New Spring Seekers will be trained how to answer the survey questions, then we’ll begin hiking to many different sites throughout the range.

Before you join this camping and surveying trip, please install the Spring Seeker app on your phone:

1. Download “Survey123” from your respective app store.
2. Visit this link on your phone and choose the option to open in Survey123.
3. Check for any updates by opening Survey123 to see whether “Updates available” is present at the top of the screen.
4. Ideally, also install the free navigation app “Gaia GPS” so we can share a file with you that has springs locations.

Also, note that there is a recommended pre-trip workshop on Zoom on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. The meeting link will be sent to all who sign up for this trip. You can learn more about our Spring Seeker program on our website.

What to Expect/Bring

We’ll be gathering at an undeveloped campsite — that means no restrooms, water, or other amenities. We’ll camp there on Friday night, then hike in about four miles to another campsite. This is a backpacking trip!

• Bring your own meals — a minimum of three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners, with snacks.
• There is one old outhouse the first night, but after that there are no bathrooms. Be prepared to bring your own toilet paper and tools to bury waste as needed.
• Please bring all the water you might need for the weekend. We recommend at least one gallon per day per person for cooking, drinking, and washing. Bring a water filter for when we’ll be hiking away from the cars.
• Be prepared to unplug — there is no cellphone or internet service where we’ll be camping and working.
• Bring a spare battery for your cellphone — ideally enough for two or three recharges.
• Bring camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, large backpack, etc. We have extra camping gear available to borrow. Please contact our staff listed below if you would like to use some of our equipment.
• Bring appropriate clothing and close-toed boots/shoes for hiking.
• Bring sun protection: sunscreen, long-sleeves, hat, etc.
• Bring refillable water bottles.

Location

We’ll be heading into the heart of the Galiuro Mountains, leaving vehicles at Jackson Cabin and then continuing on foot four miles to Hooker Cabin. The road is essentially impassable to all but high clearance and 4WD vehicles. Subarus or other AWD vehicles will not make it to the cabin. See details below about “getting there” to ensure you can join us this weekend.

Getting There

A higher-clearance vehicle is necessary, with 4WD. A typical AWD vehicle like a Subaru will not make it to the cabin without damage. Luckily there are a few options for how to join us.

Option 1 — Carpool or caravan with us

Meet at the SIA office at 3127 N Cherry Ave. at 11 a.m. on Friday to caravan (if you have a 4WD and high-clearance vehicle) or carpool to Jackson Cabin (about five hours from Tucson).

Option 2 — Meet us along the way and catch a ride

Accesible to 2WD cars is a small parking area before the Muleshoe Ranch, here. We anticipate being there around 1:30 p.m on Friday. If you’d like to choose this option, please select “meet us along the way” and we will get you into another vehicle for the last 13 miles.

Option 3 — Drive yourself and others

You must have a high-clearance vehicle with 4WD to sign up for this option. Please offer other seats in your vehicle to folks to pile in for the last ~13 miles of incredibly rough road. If you select this option, please meet at this parking area by 2 p.m.

Last-Minute Cancellations

If you decide at the last minute not to attend, please call or text Sarah: (520) 302-4217. If you make this decision after 11 a.m. on Friday and you simply don’t show up at camp or at one of the rendezvous points, we will not wait for you nor seek cell service to check in. Please be prompt and communicate early if your plans change.

Trip Logistics

• Friday, 11 a.m. — Meet with SIA staff at our office to carpool. If you are driving yourself, please meet us at the Muleshoe Ranch parking area by 2 p.m.

• Saturday, 7 a.m. (or earlier) — Hike out to Hooker Cabin. Drop off camping supplies and continue to nearby springs in the afternoon. Make camp at Hooker Cabin in the evening.
• Sunday, 7 a.m. (or earlier) — Day trip out from Hooker Cabin to spring sites deeper in the Galiuros.
• Monday, 7 a.m (or earlier) — Hike out 4 miles back to Jackson Cabin, then continue by vehicle out the rough road. We’ll drop folks off at their cars at Muleshoe Ranch and then drive back to Tucson, arriving at our office by 6 p.m.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on this trip.

Attendance by RSVP only — limited to 15 participants. Again, you must have a 4WD and high clearance vehicle to successfully make it to Jackson Cabin. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sarah Truebe at (520) 302-4217 or [email protected].

Event Registration