Late-Summer HAZFest 2014

[chumley]

By popular demand... or something like that.

September 12-14th, 2014
Santa Maria Mountains
Prescott National Forest - Camp Wood area

Never heard of it? Isn't that half the fun?

This event posting is just for the car-camping social gathering. Participants are free to arrange their own hikes (or not). There are numerous possibilities. Short trails. Longer trails. Connecting routes. Possible loops. Hyde Mountain lookout. Off-trail options. Apache Creek Wilderness. And more. There are even a lot of 4wd roads if you are into that. Some area hikes can be found on this map http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3535 Other options are available.

Driving Directions:
Beginning at Cordes Junction / AZ69 and I-17
Travel AZ69 north for 20.75 miles.
Turn right onto Fain Road. [It's the 4th traffic light in Dewey ... before you get to Prescott Valley. Sign indicates "To AZ89, I-40, Chino Valley, Prescott Airport".]
Travel 18.4 miles to T intersection. [Fain Road turns into Pioneer Parkway and is a divided highway much of the way.]
Turn right onto Williamson Valley Road.
Travel 19.5 miles on Williamson Valley Road. Watch your speed. This road is very well patrolled.
Turn left onto Camp Wood Road (dirt).
Travel 15.4 miles on Camp Wood Rd. [The first 5-6 miles is smooth. The road condition deteriorates as the miles go on.]
Turn right onto FR95. The sign for "Merritt Spring" across the street is bigger and brighter than the sign for FR95.
Travel 0.4 miles on FR95 to and turn left into FR95C. HAZFest site is 200 yards up the road. FR95 is a rough dirt road and caution is required when driving.
Map with downloadable GPS tracks here> http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3553
You may find this location using Google Maps by searching "County Road 68 & Forest Service 95 Rd, Prescott, Arizona 86305"
The site is now 1mile short (west) of the marked location at the end of the GPS track. A reflective "camp chumley" sign marks the turn at FR95 and 95C.

I have made this trip in under 2.5 hours from Tempe.
60 min from Tempe to Cordes Junction
20 min from I-17 to Fain Road
20 min from Fain Road to Williamson Valley Rd
20 min from Williamson Valley Rd to Camp Wood Rd
30 min from Camp Wood Rd to HAZFest (This portion WILL take others much longer. I drive fast on dirt roads).

If you are coming from the west valley it may be shorter to go through Wickenburg. From Flagstaff it's quicker to take I-40 west to Ash Fork, and then south on AZ89

This area is popular with hunters, but deer and bear hunts close on September 11 so I don't anticipate seeing a lot hunting activity.

While there is currently some water flowing in creeks and streams in this area, I expect that by next month, things will dry out somewhat.
The elevation is about 5700 feet, and while weather can't be determined at this time, the normal/average for mid-September is 80-85° for daytime highs, and 40-45° for night time lows. Or what people like me call "absolutely perfect!"

Everybody is welcome. There are no restrictions.
But, please respect fellow attendees. I wouldn't personally bring children since we tend to stay up late and make a bit of noise. Dogs are welcomed as long as you can control them and they don't bother people or other dogs. Common sense things.

Disclaimer:
Nothing is provided. This is dispersed camping in the middle of a national forest. There are no restrooms, no water, nothing. Bring what you need. You are responsible for yourself. Bring your own food, shelter, etc. You are responsible for taking your own trash back home with you. There is no trash service here. Access is via a 15-mile dirt road that is sedan accessible. High clearance is preferred, but not necessary, especially if you are accustomed to driving your vehicle on forest roads. If this isn't something you normally do, proceed at your own risk. I take no responsibility for your vehicle, the drive, or anything that happens to you or your property while getting to/from, or at HAZfest. You are on your own.

A fire will be built, maintained, and safely extinguished. Everything else is up to you.

I hope to see you there!

Please post comments or questions in this thread, or PM me directly and I will gladly respond.

[chumley]

By "glassware" te-wa means plastic cups in the shape of wine glasses with fancy LED lights in them.

[chumley]

Directions update posted in the event posting above.

Camp is now 1 mile short of previous directions. Follow the GPS track provided find camp just 0.4 miles down F95 rather than 1.5 miles as indicated on the GPS track I posted.

The trip is now 1 miles shorter!

[Paintninaz]

By "glassware" te-wa means plastic cups in the shape of wine glasses with fancy LED lights in them.

Tibber has plastic beer glass shaped ones with the fancy LED lights!

(I don't know why it uploaded sideways )

[TerraGirl]

Had a great time, even though I was only holding down the fort :-) Hope to see you all when I'm healed up!

[tibber]

another great HAZfest in the books. It was nice to see everyone and make new acquaintances. We had a nice fire, thx guys! (I'm sure nonot would be proud ;) ) And as always, plenty of beverages, food and hiking to go around . Oh, and who knew Peeps would make good smores!

Nice location too; thx Chumley for the recon. New country I have never seen before; surely worthy of a return visit .

Film at whenever I get it ready.... hopefully a little later this week. 9/17/2014 including the tree cutting operation and time at Camp Wood - TibberProductions presents:

Gosh, already got a thumbs down on the video ... really? This is privately listed so only a person with the link can view the video and right now, that's only HAZers. If you don't like the video, sure would be nice to know why. Were we having too much fun? Did you not like the way Chumley cut down the dead tree? Too much fire? The quality sucked?


Until next year...