Tucson Weekly: Listings: Outdoors (April 9

OUTDOORS
EASTER IN CATALINA STATE PARK. Milepost 81, on Oracle Road. Family Easter festivities in the park include an non-denominational sunrise service and pancake breakfast from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12, followed by an Easter-egg hunt from 9 a.m. to noon. The hunt is limited to 300 children on a fist come, first serve basis, with areas for two age groups: ages 2 through 5, and 6 through 11. The park entrance fee is $4 per vehicle up to 4 passengers, plus $1 per each additional passenger, free for children under 12. Call 628-5798 for information.
Listings DIG IT. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, a nonprofit corporation, offers opportunities for you to dig with archaeologists at the Sabino Canyon Ruin, where Hohokam Indians lived 650 to 1,000 years ago. Experience the thrill of discovering buried pottery and other items left behind by prehistoric Arizonans, as the professionals show you how archaeologists excavate, interpret, and care for ancient finds. Reservations are required. Fee includes a tax-deductible donation to help fund the research. Archaeologist-guided tours of the ruin are also available. Call 798-1201 for information.
DESERT ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS. The Center for Desert Archaeology offers whole and half-day tours of local archaeological treasures, including: the Romero Ruin Tour, a look at the remnants of the four great cultures that once inhabited the Catalina State Park area; the Rock Art Tour, an in-depth look offering hikers a chance to visit petroglyph sites near Tucson; and the Downtown Tucson Tour, featuring more than 30 centuries of history. Tours available for individuals and groups. Wear long-sleeved clothing and a hat, and make sure you've got sturdy shoes with ankle support and good traction. Water is provided. Call 885-6283 for information.
ORGAN PIPE TOURS. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument presents free, guided drives along the Ajo Mountain Drive. This two-and-a-half hour tour includes desert landscapes, geological formations and more. Tours are offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through April. Tours are free, and begin at the Visitors Center. There is a $4 monument entrance fee. Call 1-520-387-6849 for directions and information.
RINCON MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER HIKE. Join UA botanist Steve McLaughlin, Ph.D., for an 8 to 12 mile hike of moderate difficulty on the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, identifying flowering perennials and other plants all along the way. The hike is from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, and limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $10, $8 for TBG members. Call 326-9686, ext. 10, for reservations and information.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Park Rangers and resource manager inaugurate Saguaro 2000, a series of programs designed to educate the public about the issues facing the park in the next century, with an introductory program at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the East District Visitors Center. Both programs are free, but reservations are required. Call 733-5153 for reservations and information.
TOHONO CHUL PARK. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455. Birds of Tohono Chul, a docent-led birdwatching tour, meets at 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Walk in the Park tours, an overview of the park's 48 acres and its flora and fauna, are offered at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. Sunday. Art in the Park tours, docent-guided looks at gallery exhibits, are at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Trappings of the Cowboy: Boots Saddles, Hats and More by Today's Arizona Craftsmen continues through April 12 in the Exhibition Hall. The park offers additional guided tours for your enjoyment. Grounds are open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily. Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2. Call 742-6455 daily events schedule.
WILDFLOWER TOURS. Tohono Chul's grounds curator Russ Buhrow has scouted out some of the best areas to view the desert's breathtaking wildflowers. Wildflower tours continue through April 29. They last approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and are at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reservations are not required. Call 742-6455 for meeting location and information.