Sedona AZ (December 13th, 2014) – If you’re interested in the natural history of Sedona, plan to visit Red Rock State Park for one of the daily guided walks, weekly bird walks, workshops, or monthly lectures. The park is located at 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road and provides a great introduction to Sedona, complete with a natural history museum, easy hiking trails, knowledgeable staff, and wildlife viewing. This month R.R.S.P. will be continuing the ongoing watercolor workshop, this month’s theme will be Native American pottery. They will also be hosting Tony Nester for the second annual day long Basic Survival workshop on January 31st. Visit us to learn more about these activities!
As always, RRSP offers twice weekly guided bird walk and daily nature walks with a knowledgeable naturalist.
First Day Hikes, January 1st 2015:
In collaboration with the National State Parks Program, Red Rock State Park will be hosting two guided hikes on Friday, January 1st to celebrate the New Year. There will be a guided nature hike at 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. with our many knowledgeable volunteers. These hikes can last between 1-2 hours.
This program is a national collaboration with all 50 State Park systems across America. Most of the Arizona State Parks will be participating in this year’s event with guided hikes and several programs. Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing are listed on the America’s State Parks website. Go to www.americasstateparks.org/firstday- hikes to see what other states are doing if you are traveling.
For more information about Arizona State Parks and First Day Hikes go to AZStateParks.com or call (602) 542-4174. You can also keep up with new information about activities in Arizona State Parks through Facebook and Twitter at AZStateParks.
Please dress appropriately for cool weather.
Native American Pottery Water Colors- Saturday, January 10th 2015 
Are you interested in learning some basic tricks to watercolor painting? Red Rock State Park will be hosting Cathy Stedman for our ongoing workshop series on the basics of watercolor painting. This will be an introductory to intermediate class. The series will cover the basics to watercolor painting-instruction and techniques with a theme each month; January’s theme will be still life painting based on Native American pottery. This class will be held inside.
Cathy Stedman, a Sedona local, has been teaching watercolor in 1997 when she started a community class. Shortly after retiring in Sedona in 2000, she began teaching watercolor classes at the Sedona Community Center, where she is still currently teaching classes. “Teaching is simply my best learning tool and I hope to bring others along as I learn”, says Stedman. She has taken classes from several well-known artists including Frank Web, John Salminen, and Gretchen Lopez.
This workshop will be held on Saturday, January 10th from 10:00-2:00 P.M. Space is limited to 12 participants, so call ahead to reserve your spot. The workshop reservation fee is $50.00, which includes entry and all supplies. Please bring your own lunch. For additional information and reservations, please call Red Rock State Park at (928) 282-6907.
‘Big 5’ Survival Priorities with Tony Nester- January 31st
Have you ever wondered what to do if you were lost and had to spend the night in the wild unprepared; Or maybe how you can prepare yourself for a similar situation? Join us on January 31st for a daylong survival class with nationally known Tony Nester. Tony will be covering the “Big 5 Survival Priorities”- the class will cover shelter, emergency fire-making, water location, signaling and survival kits.
The workshop will introduce participants to the fundamental skills needed for surviving in a desert region and the hazards that are associated with traveling in the desert. Between lecture, slideshows, and hands-on exercises participants will become familiar with skills required for desert survival including emergency shelter building, water location, mirror signaling, heat related injuries, venomous creatures, and survival kits for travel.
Tony Nester, local to the Northern Arizona region, is a nationally known survival instructor whom founded Ancient Pathways; a wilderness skills company dedicated to desert survival and primitive technology. He holds a degree in Anthropology and is an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT-B); he has also published many books on outdoor survival including The Modern Hunter- Gatherer and Desert Survival: Tips, Tricks, and Skills.
Tony has extensive experience teaching desert survival courses to various groups including the National Transportation & Safety Board, National Weather Service, National Park Service, U.S. Military Operations, Desert Institute and other private organizations.
Space is limited to 15 participants, so call ahead to reserve your spot. The workshop reservation fee is $65.00, which includes entry. For additional information and reservations, please call (928) 282-6907.
Geology Hike Sunday, January 11th at 1:00 P.M.
Red Rock State Park is located at the base of the Mogollon Rim, the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The escarpment is over 200 miles long and ranges in elevation from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. Over millions of years of erosion the rim has receded over four miles leaving behind the picturesque features of Sedona. Our monthlyguided geology walk will be held on January 11th at 1:00 P.M. Join our knowledgeable volunteers as they venture out on our trails and discuss how Sedona transformed into what we see today. This is an interpretive experience for both the beginner and experienced hiker, lasting between 2-2 ½ hours and an elevation gain of 250 feet. Please bring water and wear suitable footwear.
Wednesday and Saturday Bird Walks, 9:00 A.M.
Bird walks begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Bird enthusiasts join a naturalist for a guided walk appropriate for beginner and advanced birders. Please bring your own binoculars; only a limited number are available for loan from the park. If birding on your own, the Humming bird Patio is an excellent spot to start your tour. Another good viewing point is the visitor center roof. Most year-round birds are found in the riparian area next to Oak Creek or along the field behind the visitor center. The Audubon Society has designated Red Rock State Park as an Important Birding Area (IBA) because of the many species that live or visit here.
Daily Guided Nature Walks and Activities, 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM:
At 10:00 AM every day, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience.
During the afternoon, the park hosts a 45-minute ranger/naturalist-led walk, nature videos, or various other presentations depending on the season.
Picnic Areas and Shelters:
Several covered ramadas and picnic tables are available to reserve throughout the park. The ramadas feature charcoal barbecue grills, picnic tables, electrical outlets, water and nearby restrooms. To inquire about reserving a ramada for groups, please call 928-282-6907. These areas are also available for daily visitors first come first serve.
Red Rock State Park is a “pack in-pack out” facility and does not provide trash receptacles. Please remember to “pack out” your trash with you to help us protect the environment and wildlife.
Junior Rangers:
A Junior Ranger program is available for children between the ages of six and twelve. Junior Rangers pledge their part in helping preserve the beauty of the park for everyone! Junior Ranger booklets, available at the Visitor Center, have activities to complete and, once approved by a Ranger, the newest Junior Ranger at Red Rock State Park is sworn in after taking the pledge and receiving a Junior Ranger button.
Hike on Your Own!
The family-oriented trail system is well marked for safety and enjoyment if you prefer to explore on your own. Five miles of trails have interconnecting loops leading to red rock vistas or along the lush greenery of Oak Creek. The three major loops are connected along the riparian corridor by the Kisva Trail, which also leads to the short loop of the Yavapai Ridge Trail. The Javelina Trail takes you into the pinion/juniper woodlands and back to the other loops. Detailed information is available at the Visitor Center. Bikes and horses are allowed on designated routes, these are limited.
Visitor Center and Theatre:
The Park Visitor Center features many displays about the area’s geology, archaeology, flora and fauna, including an interactive relief map of Sedona and computer programs about various park features, such as the House of Apache Fires. The popular video, “The Natural Wonders of Sedona”, narrated by local voice-over artist John Conway, is shown several times daily in the Park Theatre. The video features aerial explorations of ancient Indian ruins and dramatic landscapes, colorful desert wildflowers, and local wildlife.
Join us here at Red Rock State Park this January or any time of year for your next adventure! Whether you’re attending a planned event or hiking on your own, you’ll enjoy the trails and facilities, making for a great day with the family or a bit of solitude for yourself.
Red Rock State Park, 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona (928)-282-6907. Park hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Visitor Center, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance fee is $5.00 per adult (14 and up), $3.00 per youth (7-13), and free for children (0-6). The Arizona State Park Annual Pass is available for $75.00 (some restrictions apply). www.azstateparks.com, www.benefactorsrrsp.org, www.azstateparks.com/parks/RERO
1 Comment
January 1st is not on Friday!