AZ Trail Hiking Partners

[kb1ddi]

I would like to start hiking sections of the AZ Trail beginning in late Jan. Anyone interested in joining in please contact me

Jerome

[wallyfrack]

Hi Jerome,

I had lunch with Gerry last week and he said he hadn't heard from you in a while. I have a crazy schedule lately but I think I should be able to get in on a few sections. I think TahoeMike had an interest in the AZ trail too. I'll check around and see if I can find a few more prospects.

[hikeaz]

I would like to start hiking sections of the AZ Trail beginning in late Jan. Anyone interested in joining in please contact me

Jerome

I could be interested - I'd rather do at least 50-60 miles at a whack (or more) (traveling at a 15+/- mi./day pace) What do you have in mind?

kurt

[DarthStiller]

One section that I'm interested in is from Picketpost Mtn TH to the lower Reavis Canyon TH along FR650 as a shuttle hike. it's 10 miles one way. I would be available in late Jan. on sundays (considering how the Steelers are playing now). On Feb. 17 (sunday) I want to do Reavis Falls so that's not a good day, but other than that I might be open.

[tahoemike]

I'll go with interested right now. I'm currently pointing toward a Pacific Crest Trail trek if the snow levels in the Sierra are reasonable. Trudging across 200 miles of melting snow holds no fascination with me! If the snow level isn't looking good, I have a Mar 15-ish to May 1-ish AZT trek laid out. And maybe a couple of long trails during the summer.

Like Kurt, I'm interested in longer (4 days, or more) trips. Day hikes could work, however, as I will need to start increasing the miles as we get into March.

[kb1ddi]

I need to do mainly day or weekend trips. I recently began a new job and have limited time-off. Maybe everyone interested could get together some night in the Tempe/Mesa area and schedule a few segments. What is everyones thoughts?

Jerome

[Sredfield]

I'm game for the weekend version. I'll need some advance planning so it doesn't conflict with other activities, but am very interested. One thought I've entertained is a group effort on the Hauchcua segment to get started. I'm good for 10-12 mile days now, will be working that up.

[Sredfield]

I hope the interest here doesn't wain, I'd really like to get this going.

[kb1ddi]

I would like to plan the first day hike on Feb 2nd. I would like to get together the next week with those that are interested. I was thinking we could meet somewhere in the Mesa/Tempe area to discuss this first hike and maybe work on a schedule of a couple regular days per month to hit the AZ trail. Thoughts?

[Sredfield]

I'm good with this, how about Thursday evening, say 6:30? Some place just off the freeway? If no one else has a suggestion, I'll nominate Applebee's at 1655 W Elliot Rd Tempe, AZ 85284-1013 (quarter mile east of I-10 & Elliot).

[hikeaz]

I am otherwise committed on February 2nd so I can't do the first dayhike, but I CAN make the meeting. Applebees suits me OK (of couse Honey Bears BBQ is just next door....)

[kb1ddi]

Tonight at 6:30 sounds great, please confirm that you will be coming by calling me on my cellphone sometime today 520-840-1579.

If I don't hear from anyone I will assume no one will be attending the get together.

Jerome

[Sredfield]

I'll be there, when I called that number I did not get Jerome on the message. Either that or my hearing is worse than I thought.

[kb1ddi]

Great meeting everyone and I am looking forward to the first hike. To wrap up the discussion, we are going to camp in the Patagonia area on Friday night Feb 8th. Then Saturday we will be shuttled down to the border in morning (Thanks Mike) and begin our AZ journey. Our plan is to do segment 1 over Saturday and Sunday (however our back-up plan if segment one has snow cover is to do segments 2 and 3 instead). We can work out the more innate details in the coming days. For those that could make the meet, please join us for a great time on the Arizona Trial.

Jerome

[tahoemike]

Here's what we have so far.

Leaving Friday evening TBD. Arrive Patagonia 2.5 hours later. Most convenient lodging for the evening would be a B&B. There is a campground apparently, but I'm assuming we don't get in until 9:00 or so. Separate rooms or two per? Or do you vote for the campground?

My friend in Patagonia feels getting a ride out Saturday morning to be doable( and back Sunday). Nominally, i.e., no snow, we''ll go out to the border and do Passage 1 with a pickup Sunday back to car(s). We talked about doing Passages 2 and 3 as a backup. That's 31.5 miles, average about 16 per day. If this is feeling like too much, we could do Passage 3, 17.4 miles, with a leisurely day Sunday and getting home at a reasonable hour. Passage 4 starts in Patagonia and goes 19.4 miles, presenting an easy start (we're already in Patagonia) and about 10 miles per day or however we break it up.

With all the precip lately, we should probably settle on the backup now as it's likely gonna be the trek we end up doing.

Kurt,
Do you want to make a 50-mile 4-day trip out of this. Easy to do. Start out with the group Saturday and just keep going Sunday afternoon. If we start at the border, then we would end up in Patagonia on Tues. I have 1 perhaps 2 folks from Patagonia joining us.

tahoemike

[Sredfield]

I'll respond here, but keep in mind it's all subject to the group's consensus, I'm flexible.

I can be self-contained for car camping, so can sleep in the vehicle or get a room. As for rooms, I vote for one each, and if anyone shares a room with me and my snoring, they'll vote that way afterwards.

Route/segment: I think caution regarding the mountain is in order. A friend told me some place on Mt Lemon recorded 5.5 inches of rain this past storm. If the mountains have had that much precip, or close to that, I'd not want to be the first over the mountain. I like passage 3 or 4. I appreciate the desire to do it all in order, but also defer to the weather. Again, however, I'm game for any, these are just slight preferences.

Do we want to keep the logistics here public on the site here, if not we could create an email group mailing.

[joebartels]

I vote for one each, and if anyone shares a room with me and my snoring, they'll vote that way afterwards

:rollH:

If anybody here or in any other group in the future wants a password protected forum I'd be happy to set it up. Just PM me a password and the name for the forum you desire. Personally I think it'd be wise especially when backpacking.

[Sredfield]

That's a great idea Joe, ain't technology wonderful.

[Sredfield]

Weather conditions across the Huachca's don't look so bad. If it's in the 50's during the day, the snow shouldn't be too bad. This is for 7400 feet:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 22 to 25 mph decreasing to between 10 and 13 mph. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. East wind between 7 and 11 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind between 5 and 11 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West southwest wind between 9 and 11 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Sunday: A 10 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 50.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53.

[kb1ddi]

OK we need to nail down the details. Where and what time are we going to meet either Friday night or Saturday morning? (Seems that some might B&B and some might car camp on Friday night). Mike give me a call at 520-840-1579.

I also want to take this time to thank Mike for arranging a drop off and pick up for us.

Anyone want to car pool down with me? I am planning on leaving 1 to 2ish Friday afternoon.

Jerome