Category Archives: Prescott

Arizona, Bikes, Mountain biking, Prescott

Tatonka before Tennesse.

Just wanted to post a few pics from the smart phone of another “last” ride with my daughter Natascha….Yep for real they leave @ 5:00 am tomorrow.

We had a good 12 miles of singletrack tonight….. good times as usual.

 

 

http://app.strava.com/runs/9596984/embed/37367288045a88924cfa587df4f322e6717d0cdb

http://app.strava.com/runs/9596984/embed/37367288045a88924cfa587df4f322e6717d0cdb

It has been great to have our daughter live close to us for almost a decade … now that she has moved away, it is a reminder more than ever to love the ones your with while they are with you.

Steve

Standard
Arizona, Prescott

It’s a DRY heat

I just wanted to post a few pics of our snowed out Sunday.

(double click on the pic with your mouse to enlarge the photo)

Today was the first time we have cancelled church in the 10 years we have been in Prescott.

The old shade tree just couldn’t take it anymore .

Our neighbors hobby.

Bella in the pines.

 

Willow Creek

Can you see the face?

Thumb Butte off in the distance.

Standard
Mountain biking, Prescott

Nocturnal Mountain Bike Ride

[nok-tur-nl] – of or pertaining to the night.

While Brenda was watching the first pre-season Arizona Cardninals NFL game, I was clipping in for a two hour Night ride through the Prescott National Forest with friends .

We kicked off the ride out of Granite Basin/Ironsprings parking lot around 7:00ish.

Looks like a new Yeti is born .

“Lovin the new 29er.” –  Micheal Taylor

“I love riding at night. It is a blast, especially when those sharp turns sneak up on you.” Jeff Combs

Rick Brazil  on his 29er singlespeed

“Was a lot of fun with a group that big. Looking forward to the next!” – Steve Renolds

Just a great night with good friends and good trails.

Steve

Prescott, Az.

Standard
Arizona, Ministry, outdoors, Prescott

THE CHURCH AT 7,200 FEET

Tomorrow is Sunday and I will have two services @ two locations for anyone who wants to attend either.

The first service is rather conventional, traditional and has seats –  it starts @ 10:00 am and is held @ 1455 Willow Creek road here in Prescott Az.

The Second site is @ 7,200 feet at the top of Granite basin and will not be typical, traditional or conventional….It has no seats but a really good view.

Here is a pic of our location of our Sunday afternoon worship service. (no fried chicken allowed).

Pretty nice temple  right?

Desire – We are going to meditate on the word  “Selah”  when we reach the top of the peak.

Destination –  The scenic, tranquil, Prescott National Forest. –  We will unplug from the fast-paced life in an effort to slow down, relax, connect with each other and listen for the voice of God.

The “service” won’t be lengthy and we won’t even take an offering…..but we will reflect on some amazingness of God’s handiwork and artwork.

Details – We leave Granite Basin/Iron Springs parking lot at 3:00 and  commute to the trail head area to save on parking fees.

The eight mile hike round trip will require you to be self contained with plenty of water and snacks. (remember it will be hot in the afternoon.)

The hike is approx two hours up and two hours back.

Here is a link to help you with info. regarding the climb and decent.

http://www.eatstayplay.com/html/az/a317p011c2079.html

Plan on arriving back to your vehicles around 8:00ish.

Pastor Steve

710-0750

Selah

Here is part two of this blog post of some pics while up on the summit of Granite Basin.

The hike was pretty much two hours up and two hours down….good work out for the Yosemite trip coming up next week.

(Double click on the pic with your mouse to make it full size on your screen)

The face of GB

On the way up looking toward Skyline drive.

GB trail

Close to the meadow on the top of gb.

The back side of granite Basin looking toward willimson valley/Sedona/ Flagstaff…One of my favorite sections of this amazing trail.

The entire afternoon I saw four other humans.

Summed up I say: Scenic time for solitude and Selah.

Steve

Prescott Az.

Standard
Arizona, Environmental Stewardship, outdoors, Prescott

MITIGATION WITH CONSIDERATION :)

I just wanted to post a few pics of the latest hazardous fuels work done by the Prescott national Forest Service.

(double click the image with your mouse to enlarge the photo)

Over the past few weeks the PNF has been working to “brush” the Spence Springs or what many know as the  (Emmanuel Pines) area.

After the “decimation” of much of the Granite Basin area there was alot of concern that the PNF would continue on and possibly make the “pines” area look like what happened in the Granite Basin area..Thankfully that didn’t happen.

The PNF was more than willing to meet with and listen to local trail users and curbed some of the intensity of the brushing to leave a distinction between the existing trails and the brushing .

Mitigation is very much needed in this area to prevent an un-contained fire problem.  All agree confidently on that point and fire retardant needs to be able to hit the ground from the air if needed.

Our concern was “overbrushing”  and making the trails in the pines not usable and a mess for a long period of time.

Long story short. THUMBS UP TO THE PNF for giving an ear to some of the locals and preserving  much of the Spence Springs area while at the same time doing the needed hazardous fuels work on the 598  acres section of forest.

Below are some of the “after brushing” pics of the area of concern.

The brushing crew in our estimation, toned down the negative impact on the trail use areas and left a margin of distinction between the trail and the brushing area.

The mosaic the forest service desired to see was accomplish and at the same time the forest seems have its beauty preserved thanks to all involved.

I have spoken with approximately 75 people over the last two weeks who use this area and the comments made have all been positive regarding the brushing in the Spence Springs area.

Just a little communication and consideration made the difference.

Thank you PNF, local trail users and others who made a 598 acre difference in our community.

Steve

PNF trail user

Standard
Mountain biking, outdoors, Prescott

Meet your Forest Service

This Tuesday morning we have an opportunity to meet with Forest Fuels Specialist Aaron Hulburd of the Prescott national Forest regarding the mitigation of hazardous fuels in the Iron Spring/ Emmanuel Pines area.

(double click your mouse to enlarge this photo)

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding this process you will want to be at this gathering with Aaron.

We will meet at the Iron Springs/Granite Basin parking lot at 10:00 AM on the 12th of April.

The article link will help you gather a greater understanding of this process before our info. meeting.

http://www.dcourier.com/Main.asp?ArticleID=84796&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1

Also, here is a link to a blog I wrote a week or so ago regarding this work.

https://stevelummer.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/mitigation-or-decimation/

Hope to see you there with some positive helpful feedback.

Steve

Trail user


Standard
outdoors, Prescott

MITIGATION OR DECIMATION?

MITIGATION OR DECIMATION?

This afternoon I had the privilege of  casually speaking with two fire fighters in the Prescott National Forest.
They had hand held GPS units and were working fast but gave me a few minutes of their time. I fielded them a few questions about the “hazardous fuel mitigation” work that has been going on for the past months here in the Prescott area.

When I asked them if they were going to do a prescribed burn in the Emmanuel Pines area they responded with, “No, we are going to start brushing this area like the others.”

After an attempt to gather my thoughts without coming across angry with the two young fire fighters, who were just out in the field doing their job, I ask this question. “Why does the forest service seem to have to decimate everything except the pines on so many acres in our amazing public land?”

They directed me to make a call to the Cortez office and talk with  their supervisor.
I did call Ed Paul (777-5665) of the PNF this morning and spoke with him for about 20 minutes.  He was informative as well as willing to listen to my concern and mentioned he would speak to the company the PNF has contracted with about being more careful with the work they are doing.

He did tell me that it would take from two to seven years for the vegetation to grow back to a normal state.

My request is simple.

Dear Prescott National Forest Service:

1. Please do not trash both the legal and social trails that have been recently established or have been around our forests, in many cases, for decades.
2. Please do not destroy the forest in an attempt to save it.
3. Please realize I am not trying to be critical of the PNFS but just attempting to voice my opinion in attempt to not have to look at a stripped forest for a few years.
4. I do understand the principle of hazardous fuel mitigation but think the application of this practice could be managed better.

5. Organize and allow a trails restoration crew to be permitted go back into the forest and restore both sanctioned as well as “social” none sanctioned trails back to a  usable state.  (under the direction of Jason Williams of the PNF or a PMBA type organization).

Much of the Granite Basin area currently reminds me of the barren land that is directly behind Lowes on Hwy 69 or a better description of that area could be  an “Arkansas with no trees”.
If the “mitigation” work doesn’t have a little more TLC (tender loving care) I am really convinced that the  the Emmanuel Pines area will be trashed in a few weeks.
I realize the Forest service has a huge task of managing about 1.25 million acres and I applaud the service and stewardship they provide. That being said,  my request is that they would TONE DOWN the decimation  of all vegetation and destruction of our hiking, biking and equestrian  trail systems by the mitigation process they are currently active in.
I would, as well as, many others in our community be glad to volunteer time as well as effort in helping the forest service maintain our forest system.  I agree that we need a defensible space but we don’t need a decimated space.

If you would like to contact the National Forest office to voice your concerns, call: Ed Paul @ 777-5665

Here is an article from the Prescott Daily Courier with more information if you would like to read it.

http://www.dcourier.com/Main.asp?ArticleID=84796&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1

The first photo is a picture of one of our trails were I had the conversation with the fire fighters. The rest of the photos are pictures of what it will look like if the PNFS continues the carnage.

Double click the pic to enlarge it.

Save these trails

After effect of Hazardous Fuel Mitigation work @ Granite Basin.

Welcome to Granite Basin ..”It will grow back by June”.

Of what year?

Awesome – invite your friends this summer.

Nice

Really?

“It will grow back by June”.

Nice lawn mower.

Mitigation work.

Seriously?

Hazardous fuel?

If you or I did this we are talkin big time fine.

Local quote of the day. ” Their rippen the lichen right of the rocks” – Ed

“it will grow back by June”

I do not want to be perceived as an enemy of the PNFS.  Actually, I’m a big fan of the PNFS and commend the leadership for their recent positive changes. – Just tryin to help the carnage not reach the Emmanuel Pines area like it has @ Thumb Butte or GB.
The tone of my concern comes from a cooperative yet concerned spirit.

Just trying to preserve what is left – Don’t destroy the forest to try to save it.

In  my own opinion … just sayin

Steve

Standard
cycling, Mountain biking, outdoors, Prescott

Ride The Divide

My friend Patrick Fraher ask if I would post
this.

Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance is sponsoring in six days the special
Prescott screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE. Don’t miss the chance to see this incredible film. This movie is selling out everywhere it’s being shown, Prescott should be no exception!Mon night Oct 4th, 7 pm… at Prescott 1st Assembly of God Community Room-1455 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott Arizona.

Should be a great night for the Prescott mountain biking community! Lets make Prescott a hit with the ride the divide team.

http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/

An award-winning feature film about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, which traverses over 2700 miles along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The film weaves the story of three characters’ experiences with immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border.

Doors open at 6:00 P.M.

The fee is $10.00 per person.

Standard
Arizona, Prescott

# 5

Prescott Az comes in at # 5 for the top places to retire in the U.S.

http://www.walletpop.com/retirement/best-places-to-retire/?icid=main|main|dl3|sec1_lnk3|169412

No. 5: Prescott, Ariz.

Population: 42,265
% over 50: 49%
Median home price: $230,500
Where to take classes: Yavapai College

Prescott, a popular retiree destination 100 miles north of Phoenix, is dotted with Victorian homes, 19th-century Whisky Row saloons, and a leafy Courthouse Plaza. With the world’s oldest rodeo and more than 70 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, the town’s cowboy heritage is hard to miss. Yavapai College’s 17-year-old lifelong learning program offers roughly 200 classes a year.

The area has plenty to offer outside of academia, including 650 miles of trails in the adjacent 1.25-million-acre Prescott National Forest, half a dozen golf courses, and a revolving door of art shows, film festivals, craft fairs, and outdoor concerts. The weather is hard to beat: plentiful sunny days, but also four distinct seasons, thanks to the town’s elevation at 5,400 feet. Until recently, high home prices were a drawback. But with the market down 35% since 2007, Prescott has become a decidedly more affordable retirement haven.

Here is the list of the top 25 place to retire in the U.S.

http://www.greatplacestoretire.com/prescott.php

Standard