Grand Wash Bench Backpack

[GrangerGuy]

October 10-13. This is an overnight backpack, up to 20 miles RT depending on the whim of the party, along the Grand Wash Bench Trail. The plan is to drive up Friday, hike in Saturday and out Sunday, then drive home Monday. High clearance 4x4 recommended. I’m happy to share seats in my Cherokee. Carpool meet is Friday morning 7 am in the Target parking lot 2727 W Agua Fria Fwy, but we’ll have to find another place to leave cars not going. PM me and we can discuss options.

The trail is best described on the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument website. We’ll start from the north trailhead on road BLM1003 and hike south. The accumulated elevation gain if we do the entire 11 miles southbound is about 1400’, and coming out about 400’. Depending on the energy of the party, we could hike the entire length of the trail southbound on day 1 and northbound on day 2. I’m flexible on this. Shorter hikes each day will be fine.
There is a lot of driving for this trip, about 450 miles each way from Phoenix.

I have posted this on Arizona Backpackers Club meetup but little response there.

[RedRoxx44]

Great views, the driving may take longer than you think depending on road conditions. I believe there is no cell service in that area. Have fun!

[hikeaz]

I am not a 'doom-and-gloomer' but the roads around there can be prone to washouts after a heavy rain - watch your forecast. Most of all, have a great trip!.

[RedRoxx44]

@hikeaz
Thread degradation alert! I can vouch for the road issues. On one of the first trips in the area after heavy rains slid the Toyota into a bar ditch and was unable to get out even with the winch due to poor anchors ( a decrepit fence post). Walked to a not too far away ranch and the guys came out in the big Dodge ram. They thought it was funny tourons until they almost fell down getting out of the truck--- the mud was that slick. They got me out but not without a significant struggle and everyone was coated in mud. Slowly drove on and found a miniscule patch of rock just off the road to car camp on. My shoes were a total loss and fortunately had another pair with me.

[GrangerGuy]

@hikeaz
@RedRoxx44
Yes, I've been watching the forecast closely on Ventusky. It looks grim for Oct 10-13, and continues unstable through midweek. I don't want any mud disasters. I'm going to postpone either to Oct. 16-19 or 17 -20.

[GrangerGuy]

Trip has been rescheduled to the following weekend, October 17-20 to avoid risk of rain and muddy roads. PM me for details of meeting point or carpooling. We will NOT meet at Target as previously posted.