UPCOMING HIKES/COURSES
All EPOC courses are free of charge (park entry fees may still apply).
For all courses marked as “course + practice hike,” please be prepared to hike with appropriate clothing/gear, water + snacks, etc.
Kids are especially welcome on courses marked as kid/family-friendly (ie. hiking at a kid-friendly pace/distance, course accessible to all ages). Please be aware that other courses/hikes may not be suitable for children, primarily in hiking distance/difficulty/speed.
FeB
16
CANCELLED/POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH (apologies, thank you for the understanding!)
Course + Practice Hike: Cardiac Hill to Javalina Spring
Beginner No-Phone Navigation and Map-Reading: Focus on Topographic Maps and Navigating Unclear/Unmarked Trails
10:30am, Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park
FeB
TBD
Course + Practice Hike: To Newman’s Trail
Beginner No-Phone Navigation and Map-Reading: Focus on Uncertainty When Navigating and Safe Decision-Making
TBD: Location and Time
FeB
TBD
Course + Practice Hike: Tin Mines (Kid/Family-Friendly)
Beginner No-Phone Navigation and Map-Reading: Focus on Basic Map Skills for Kids
TBD: Location and Time
All upcoming courses/hikes are also shared on Facebook (@elpasooutdoorcenter).
PAST COURSES/HIKES
February 2026
Beginner No-Phone Navigation and Map-Reading + Practice Hike (Thousand Steps and B36 Crash Site)
This course and practice hike started with a very basic introduction to map-reading, but we focused more on decision-making on the trail, and making navigational choices even when you’re not 100% sure. When you’re out on the trail, “not” making a choice isn’t an option — even if you’re not sure, you have to decide, based on the information around you. Today’s course was a great chance to talk about different pieces of information a topographic map can give us, and practice using those pieces to navigate and make good decisions.
I’m really humbled and grateful for the incredible teamwork and positivity that today’s group shared — so many people get lost on this route, even with a GPS, and we were able to navigate successfully throughout the entire route, just using topo maps. The big takeaway for many folks was confidence — you can do this! — and I can’t wait to keep supporting folks in developing these skills and that confidence.
Attendance: 12 people
January 2026
Beginner No-Phone Navigation and Topographic Map-Reading + Practice Hike (Ron Coleman Trail)
This course was a basic introduction to topographic maps, focusing on contour lines and terrain association. Following a quick introduction to topo maps, the group hiked the southern portion of the Ron Coleman Trail (from McKelligon Canyon to The Window), focusing on tracking their progress on the map and aligning the map features with the landforms in front of them.
I’m so grateful for the enthusiasm and support for this event, and very excited at the interest and abundant requests for additional navigation courses. Looking forward to improving the course, and running additional navigation sessions soon.
Attendance: 10 people