Grand Gulch 2010

[PaleoRob]

Alright, we've got a place and we've got a date. March 13th-15th, we'll be hiking about 20-ish miles from the Government Trail to Collins Canyon, seeing lots of awesome rock art and Anasazi ruins along the way. Group size will be limited to 12 (10 slots plus me and my wife, though she might back out), due to BLM permit restrictions. Dogs are welcome on-leash, but not in ruins or at rock art sites, so be aware of that. If other participants don't want dogs on the trip, we may reconsider that.
Weather is variable - can be warm or we could get snow. Roads to the trailheads are dirt. Collins Canyon is decent, but Government requires 4x4, but carpooling is preferable anyway, since parking is limited. 3 days in one of the most beautiful and rich canyons in the southwest; what's not to like?

[rushthezeppelin]

We were wondering what happened to you Chris! Nice to see you. It would be fun to hike with you again. Good luck on your studies.

Ya I spent most of the summer doing bass fishing at night outa my kayak and the last few months I've literally spent 12+ hours a day on schoolwork

[nonot]

Got any tips on bass fishing spots...I thought AZ was all about trout?

[rushthezeppelin]

Saguaro was treating me quite well for a while there. Think me and every other fishermen there spent most of the late summer and fall using drop shot rigs with a robo-worm on it. The bass were just eating it like it was candy and I got a few good 6+ lunkers with it too. Pretty much any of the Salt River lakes (from roosevelt to even tempe town lake) will have a good amount of largemouth and Apache has alot of smallies. Speaking of trout though I just actually got a nice fly fishing setup for xmas so I'm going to be trying my hand at that this spring

[PaleoRob]

Whelp, happy 2010 everyone. Looks like the majority opinion is for a Government-Collins trip. Looks for some dates to pop up here on a different thread ('cause I think its only one poll per thread) within the next day, but keep checking back here for details on the trip itself..

[PaleoRob]

Poll for the dates is up:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4699&start=0

[PaleoRob]

Got the original post updated, and dates/trail associated. Will probably call the permit office this week with numbers from interest here to get the permit ball rolling.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Got it on the calendar. Snow is guaranteed???

PS. What do we know about "usually" reliable water sources along this route?

[PaleoRob]

The Polly's Canyon spring should be good, but only 3 miles in I doubt we'll need to tank up there. I'm doing a bit of research on other water sources.

[big_load]

I'm doing a bit of research on other water sources.

Arrowhead, Aqua Fina, Poland Spring, ...

[PaleoRob]

I prefer to pack in Perrier myself.

[rushthezeppelin]

I prefer to pack in Perrier myself.

I can't help but think of president Scrooge from Spaceballs with his Perriair every time I see that stuff : P

[Vaporman]

I'd love to do this hike but I have a 3-day Aravaipa backpacking trip planned the following weekend. I'll see if I can get both that Monday and Friday off that week...

[Randal_Schulhauser]

OK, need some help refreshing my memory, but how far was Big Man Panel http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=91319 from the junction with Government Trail/Grand Gulch? Know this trek is planning to head downstream in Grand Gulch to Collins, but wondering if a side trek to Big Man Panel is really close to the junction...

[Vaporman]

Yea, Big Man Panel was pretty close to the Gov't trail.

[PaleoRob]

If we drop packs, we could be up and back to Polly's in 40-ish minutes, I'd guess.

[PaleoRob]

If I'm pinpointing it correctly, the Big Man panel is here: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =17&M=5&G=
And we get to the canyon bottom here: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =17&M=5&G=
Looks like it's "just around the corner" ;)

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Big Man Panel http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=91320 was last year's "BIG WOW". Lot's of other high-lights, but that's the one that keeps percolating up to the top for me!

[oliverr99]

If I'm pinpointing it correctly, the Big Man panel is here: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =17&M=5&G=
And we get to the canyon bottom here: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =17&M=5&G=
Looks like it's "just around the corner" ;)

When crows fly!

[oliverr99]

I like to go, just not sure how I am going to get there, yet! I work on Friday, but can leave at 3:30ish. It will be nice to have that week off to recover, sleep in after the trip!

[PaleoRob]

Yeah, I work that Friday too. I'll be driving up after classes on Friday and car-camping probably out at Muley Point again.