Featured Student Interest Group:  Midwestern University, Arizona - College of Osteopathic Medicine

On May 20th, 2004 the Wilderness Medical Society Student Interest Group (WMS-SIG) at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted a post-finals canyoneering trip to Salome Creek Canyon--"The Jug"--near Payson, AZ.  It was the first of our club's outings after creating a separate WMS SIG in April '04. 

We left the school's parking lot at 8am and arrived at the  trailhead around 10:30.  After 30 minutes of hiking through the Arizona desert we started to wonder if the hike would be completely dry.  There was no water in sight and since it had not rained for 47 days, we began to think our collective goal of cooling off might be dashed.  Then we saw some cattails poking up between some rocks and went over to investigate.  Sure enough, a trickle of water was flowing through the reeds and we found the creek.  From that point on, it was non-stop fun 'n the sun for the 8 of us that made the trip.  The water was fresh and cool and there was enough algae present for us to slip and fall several times while those watching doubled over in laughter.  The canyon had many pools and natural waterslides to keep us occupied and only one technical section--requiring a 60' rappel. 

We were in the canyon for about 3 hours before reaching the end.  It was a hilarious adventure for everybody and we had a great time until we could not find the trail that would lead us back to the car.  We made the decision to cut across the slopes up to the trail at the top and soon discovered that the saguaros aren't the only plants with spines in Arizona.  As our sandaled feet found every type of thorn and barb imaginable we made our way to the top.  While I am sure that none of us will ever walk off trail in the desert again, I am also sure that this hike was one of the best any of us had ever taken.

Woody Bursaw

Midwestern University, Arizona - College of Osteopathic Medicine