4th Annual New Year's Day Peak Celebration

[outdoor_lover]

Event Date and Time: January 1st, 2015 9:00 A.M. Location: Margies Peak, Maricopa Mountains, AZ
Hard to believe that the Holidays are almost upon us already! Even harder to believe that this will be the 4th Year for this Event! When I started doing these, I promised that I would cover Peaks in all Four Directions from Town so the same people wouldn't have to drive a long way every time...And I always pick something slightly "out of town" to avoid the Holiday Crowds! The 1st Year was SE, the 2nd was NW, and the Third was NE, so this Year I had to find something in the SW...Not easy for me since I'm unfamiliar with that Area! I enlisted the help of a good Friend and one of HAZ's Experts for that Area (desertboonie) and he came up with one right away that seemed promising, so we went and checked it out last Weekend. Not only was it promising, it was Perfect... Short Mileage, but with Elevation that will get the Blood Pumping and the Peak will offer some Stellar Views of the Maricopas, the Gilas and the Buckeye Hills. There is NO TRAIL...This will be all Off-Trail Hiking like last Year...I drove my Front Wheel Drive SUV and had no Trouble with the Road, or even Parking in the Wash that will be our Start. And if we feel like a Barbecue afterwards, we can either Party right in the Wash or drive a couple of miles further to the Margies Cove TH where there is a Camping Area and a few Picnic Tables.... I did start a Page for this Peak since there will be some triplogs done for it and the Driving Directions for the "TH" are there. http://hikearizona.com/decoder=19589 Hopefully, someone this Year will run a GPS Track and we can turn this into a Full Description. Although a few HAZers have done this one, it hasn't been many, which was another Reason I chose it... If you would like to see Photos of the Area, including Margies Peak, you can view this Photoset that I did from last Weekend. http://hikearizona.com/photoset=32772

If you've already participated in past New Year's Day Hikes, I would love it if you would join us again...If you haven't, you should think about it this time around, it's a lot of fun. And I do try to pick Peaks that most can do, so everyone is welcome and appreciated!

[outdoor_lover]

@Widowmaker
Yes....We can arrange for everyone to get a Ride. I'll be going in just a tad earlier and I'm giving Scott a lift from the Highway...If you don't want to go early, Barrett has already offered the back of the Taco and I'm sure there will be others that have an "inside" spot...

[RowdyandMe]

@Outdoor Lover
Let me know when and where. I do live in Deer Valley

[PatrickL]

I realized the other day that I've been saying "Maggies" for the last two months.

I'm going to move myself over to the committed column. Considering getting an earlier start and heading up the western ridge, but we'll see about that.

[outdoor_lover]

@Patrick L
You could probably start at the regular time and still be at the Peak before l'm there.

[PatrickL]

@Outdoor Lover
Are you hauling a heavy pack again this year? That's an anchor!

[SuperstitionGuy]

@Outdoor Lover
Are you hauling a heavy pack again this year? That's an anchor!

Don't complain about the weight of her pack as I understand it often contains COOKIES!

[Nightstalker]

I'd like to join you all! I have a 4x4 Jeep if anyone needs a ride. I'm coming from Deer Valley.

Terry

[RowdyandMe]

I am looking forward to hiking with everyone and meeting new faces.
Just a great way to start the New Year.

[Barrett]

If you don't want to go early, Barrett has already offered the back of the Taco

Widowmaker got shotgun, so we'll be arriving at the pavements end around 8:30. We'll hang around till maybe 8:40 for anyone wanting an open air shuttle to the "trailhead".
(Unless I hear from Pam whether 20 minutes is cutting it too close for that dirt road if you drive at Chumley Half-Speed like I do :whistle: ).

[chumley]

I don't think my driving actually lives up to the stories.

[The_Eagle]

@chumley
I'm sorry, but I believe the phrase

"Hold my Beer and watch this"

was actually coined because of you...

[SpiderLegs]

I'd like to join you all! I have a 4x4 Jeep if anyone needs a ride. I'm coming from Deer Valley.

Terry

I'm at Thunderbird and I-17 area if you have room.

[Nightstalker]

@SpiderLegs

How about I meet you in the Lowe's parking lot at I-17 and Thunderbird at 7:00AM?
I have a dark red 4 door Jeep Wrangler, lic plate #NSRIDES. HAZ sticker on the back.

[outdoor_lover]

Hi all...Just got back to civilization and the Internet. Looks like we've added a few people and that is awesome! Apparently no one is being scared off by the Weather Forecast that I just heard about...If any of you have any thoughts about the Weather, Pro or Con, speak up...Depending on how much Rain we get, we may have to change our TH location as it may not be totally smart to Park in a Wash, or we may find that there is Water there anyway... I will plan on being there a little early to check it out.

It doesn't appear that Randall is coming this Year? Does anyone want to do a Barbecue when we all get down? We can certainly plan something if you all want to carry on like we have the last couple of Years...Randall always threw a nice "Tailgate" Party at the end of the Hike which was pretty fun...Let me know your thoughts on that. Looks like everybody is set for Rides except for Stephen in the East Valley.

And Yes, with 13 Confirmed and possibly 2 More? Spiderlegs? Stephen??? Dave, is your Wife joining us this Year??? I will have plenty to take up to the Peak if anyone wants to save some Room in their Pack.

I will post another Update New Year's Eve Morning...

[Grimey]

I am coming from the East. Ahwatukee, Chandler/I-10 area. I have room for a couple people.

[chumley]

any thoughts about the Weather, Pro or Con, speak up

It'll be a beautiful (and chilly) morning. Sunny along with some puffy clouds with dramatic views. A stray snow flurry isn't out of the question, but I wouldn't worry about the wash running. Forecast calls for only about 0.1" rain there.

[Mrs_Bradshaws]

My beautiful children were nice enough to share their strep throat with my husband and I :yuck: So both of us are out :sorrry: I was really looking forward to meeting everone... maybe next time

[outdoor_lover]

@Mrs_Bradshaws
So so sorry to hear that! Hope you all get better soon and can Ring in the New Year on the Mend!

[big_load]

Bummer! I hope the Bradshaws heal fast and everyone else has a great time. I wish I could be there.

[Bradshaws]

@big_load@Outdoor Lover

Thanks The kids are both almost better and the wife and I are both one day into a Zpack so I'm hoping it is over soon... Hope you all have fun and stay dry