Who
Is Superstition Search & Rescue?
Superstition
Search & Rescue (SSAR) is a volunteer service
organization affiliated with the Pinal County
Sheriff's Office in Florence, Arizona. This
non-profit rescue team was originally formed in
1981 as Apache Junction Search and Rescue. In
1994, we incorporated and changed our name to
Superstition Wilderness Rescue, Inc. and later
changed the name again to Superstition Search
& Rescue.
The primary purpose of this volunteer
organization is to assist individuals who may
experience wilderness-related problems. These
range from incidents such as falls or medical
emergencies, lost or overdue hikers, heat or cold
exposure, and more. Our group is highly skilled
in wilderness first-aid, technical rescue,
orienteering and tracking. These skills
enable Superstition Search & Rescue members
to safely and efficiently move patients from the
field to appropriate medical service in the
event of injury, or to their families, in the
case of a lost or overdue hiker. We
currently have approximately 25 volunteers that
sacrifice their time and personal resources to assist
those in need. We are always looking for more people. |
What
Does the Name Mean?
Superstition
Search & Rescue derived its name from the
beautiful Superstition Mountains and Wilderness
Area located in northwestern Pinal County, and
the far northeast portion of Maricopa
County. The mountains consist of over
160,000 acres of rough and beautiful terrain and
are separated from the Mazatzal Mountains to the
north by the Salt River and its numerous lakes.
The Superstition Wilderness Area has a
well-developed trail system and receives heavy
use from October to May, during the cooler
months here in the Sonoran desert. Searing heat
(110°F or higher) and a shortage of
precipitation (about 3 inches during the summer
months) are typical summer conditions. Bitter
cold, torrential rains, and even snowstorms are
not uncommon in the Superstitions during the
winter months. To those hardy enough to meet the
challenges, this wilderness offers a unique
scenic beauty, and a chance to study the many
desert plants and animals indigenous to the
area. Unfortunately, many hikers do not
understand these challenges, or they
misinterpret them and get themselves into
trouble. Approximately, one-fourth of our
rescues are for people who are from out of town
and even though they are able hikers, they do
not realize how rugged the terrain is here. Many
others just do not use common sense. And, of
course there are the few hikers that simply
twist an ankle or break a leg that require our
assistance. That's where we come into action. |
Announcements
Tonto National Forest Implements New Recreation Pass Program, October 2006
On October 2nd, 2006, the
Tonto National Forest implemented the Tonto Pass System,
replacing all automated fee collection machines on forest
lands. This new system requires visitors to obtain
day or multi-day use passes in advance at designated
locations throughout the region prior to entering
recreation sites maintained by the Forest
Service.
To learn more about the Tonto Pass Program
including fee information and to find locations where visitors can purchase daily passes and watercraft use stickers, call the the Mesa Ranger District at
(480) 610-3300, the Cave Creek Ranger District at (480)
595-3300, the Tonto Basin Ranger District at (928)
467-3200 or the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix at
(602) 225-5200.
Information is also available at the Tonto National Forest Web
site, or by calling the Tonto Pass Program office directly at
(602) 225-5366. |
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