Sycamore Canyon Dogie to Taylor Cabin Jan 17-18

[rushthezeppelin]

Thanks to suggestions from others, I want to do this via Dogie Trail. Should be interesting new part of AZ I haven't seen. According to Te-Wa we should prepare for it to be in the mid to low 20s probably during the night so be prepared if you want to come on this one.

Edit: Looks like we will also be taking the Casner Mountain trail out....adds a bit of mileage but the views should be worth the sore calves.

[rushthezeppelin]

Okay so it's pretty much going to be 2 separate groups kinda and we will meet at camp?

[drewboy]

It looks like you guys will get to the trailhead about one hour earlier than us. No reason to wait for us, you may as well hit the trail if you want to. If you have a GMRS radio we can stay in contact that way - I'll have one along since it's integrated into my Garmin Rino gps. From what I can recall, there could be a good hanging campsite around 100 yards south of the cabin (down creek direction). At any rate, the area around the cabin is not that large and we should not have any issues finding each other. I would expect our group to get there around 2:00pm.

[rushthezeppelin]

So I'm guessing the going on the first day would be fairly quick ehhh? Guess it doesn't really surprise me though. Almost all downhill and seemingly well blazed trail and not a ton of creek crossings. So it's just me and Dirt and Topo for the 4runner right?

[drewboy]

Yeah, the first day's hiking should go pretty fast. Pretty easy trail for the most part, and not much climbing. I don't think that stream crossings are an issue. My plan is to bring a couple of extra liters of water "just in case". Navigation is pretty straightforward. Do you have a map of the area? Be sure to study up on the route before you go. It looks like you, Dirt and Topo in one vehicle, and me, Mike and Josh in the other one. If you bring a GMRS radio, I'll be tuned to channel 15-15 (main channel/sub channel). Let me know if you do plan to bring one, since I won't leave it on and waste battery power unless you do.

BTW, I usually have a Golden Eagle pass and don't worry about fees, but I haven't renewed it yet for this year. Just want to confirm that we *do not* need a Red Rocks pass to park at this trailhead?

[Dirt4dinner]

I don't think there is any reason to hike in as two groups. I would rather have the whole group if we can set it up that way. Is there someplace we can meet right off the 17 Freeway. There must be something right off the exit up there? We can slide our meetup time to 7 and hook up with you guys someplace up north.

[Dirt4dinner]

One more thing...

If any of you want me to add your spouses/ girlfriend or someone else to the SPOT GPS Email list, I can do that. I just need their email or mobile phone number, which ever way they would like to receive the OK messages.

[rushthezeppelin]

I don't think there is any reason to hike in as two groups. I would rather have the whole group if we can set it up that way. Is there someplace we can meet right off the 17 Freeway. There must be something right off the exit up there? We can slide our meetup time to 7 and hook up with you guys someplace up north.

Ya this might be best. Would really be nice I'm sure to be able to follow someone who at least has somewhat of a better idea how to get to the TH than we do.

[drewboy]

Cool, another SPOT user. Have you set up your web page yet? I guess that requires a tracking subscription as well. My wife can monitor my location as I hike. I'm a sucker for new gadgets.

BTW, I am in agreement that it's best if we hike in together. Didn't want to hold you guys back if you were anxious to get out there early. Why don't we exchange cell phone numbers? Send me a PM and I'll respond with mine. We should be able to time things to hit I-17 at around the same time. If our group is rolling from Shea/Beeline at 8:00AM, we could get to I-17/101 around 8:20 I would guess. If you guys left RTZ's place at 7:30AM, that might line you up pretty good timewise. We can use cell phones to home in on each other from there. You can spot my yellow car from a long way off

One more thing...

If any of you want me to add your spouses/ girlfriend or someone else to the SPOT GPS Email list, I can do that. I just need their email or mobile phone number, which ever way they would like to receive the OK messages.

[rushthezeppelin]

BTW, I am in agreement that it's best if we hike in together. Didn't want to hold you guys back if you were anxious to get out there early. Why don't we exchange cell phone numbers? Send me a PM and I'll respond with mine. We should be able to time things to hit I-17 at around the same time. If our group is rolling from Shea/Beeline at 8:00AM, we could get to I-17/101 around 8:20 I would guess. If you guys left RTZ's place at 7:30AM, that might line you up pretty good timewise. We can use cell phones to home in on each other from there. You can spot my yellow car from a long way off

Sounds like this would work pretty well since the hike in should be fairly short. I can be lazy for once and sleep in : P I guess dirt try and get to my place by 7:15 then?

[Dirt4dinner]

I will be at the Home Depot right around 7:00, we might stop and grab a coffee or something on the way. I wouldn't mind getting to the 17/ 101 interchange a few minutes before the other group, we can cruise in the right lane until they catch us. I will see you at Home Depot at 7. You can't miss my 4Runner, it's green with a Thule basket on the roof.