Maricopa Trail-Spur Cross to Cave Creek Rec. Area Sun. May 2

[DarthStiller]

Starting at the Spur Cross Conservation Area and taking the Maricopa Trail thru it and down to the Cave Creek Rec. Area and back. Only going to the border of the Cave Creek area, so about 16 miles RT. For right now (4.22.10) the forecast seems to be upper 70s. If the weather starts to heat up too much, this one might need to be changed. Leaving Mesa at 5:30am.

[FreespiritAZ]

So is there something about the number 16 that you like ;) ?

[JimmyLyding]

This sounds awesome, but my cousin's bachelor party is the day/night before. No way in heck am I going to be able to roll out of the rack at 0430

[DarthStiller]

16-17 is pretty much my upper limit for hikes before my feet just get too sore and tired, so I'm trying max out the mileage for this year. But I'm only doing 10 this sunday.

Jim, you'll probably be rolling into bed at about 4am.

[JimmyLyding]

I wish. The bachelor party for my cousin-in-question is likely to be pretty tame (by your standards) because he's not used to that sort of thing. We're going to give it a go, however.
Bearing Down on seeing some HAZ users at 29th Street and Thomas that Saturday.

[sarichter]

ok... so 5:30 AM start... what time do you think we'd be done... have a game at 11:00 AM?

[DarthStiller]

@sarichter

Dude! Where have you been?! No way we'll be done by 11am. More like the 3-4pm range. Is it a game you're participating in or one you can tivo?

[sarichter]

ugh... yeah one I'm playing in. I'll have to pass on this one then for now. I'm back! got work out of the way and some other things cleared up. Got a new fancy camera too for some better pictures!

[JimmyLyding]

I would have gone if Stefan was going. I guess I'll have to wait until the return trip to the Pinals

[tibber]

Got a new fancy camera too for some better pictures!

excellent!

[FreespiritAZ]

@Stiller
Darn. I don't mean to seem like a flake, but I have to cancel on this one. My church called me and asked if I could serve communion this Sunday. Duty calls. In the future I think it is probably safe for me not to commit to any hikes on the first Sunday of the month because I will probably be needed at church. I look forward to your photoset though, Stiller

[DarthStiller]

@FreespiritAZ

No problem. It's gonna be another long hike, so I don't blame anyone for deciding to do something else. This pretty much takes up the whole day. Alex can't even get out of bed early enough for my hikes, that's why he won't commit. :whistle:

[Sun_Ray]

I'm not up to doing 16 miles but could do 8. Kicking around the idea of doing it one way and getting a pick up.......... I love you man, but I'm not going to join you for your early AM start. Maybe start at the other end and see you out on the trail or go half way and turn around and hope I meet you out there to say hi. I'm very familiar with the trail starting in Spur Cross, but not starting from the Cave Creek Rec Area. Last I heard it was not marked very well with lots and lots of mining and old ranch trails and roads in the area. I had heard that early this year Town of Cave Creek had a mountain bike race on the trail (they had it marked for them) and this race 'marked' the trail because of the use it got that week. Anyway..... what are you using for a map of the area or have you done it recently and know the way?
....Brian

[DarthStiller]

@Sun Ray

I think I'm just going to download Moovyoaz's GPS route, which by his description takes you to the Cave Creek RA and junctions with the Go John Trail. I'll keep an eye you for you. I should be easy to spot with a Steeler camo hat and pants, and my trusty camo snake gaiters.

[JimmyLyding]

I'll haul my poisonous carcass out of bed if you want to hit the Pinals. I may even come straight from Bourbon Street after my cousin's bachelor party, but I don't think he's going to hang that long.

[DarthStiller]

@Jim Lyding

No Pinals this weekend for me. I want to do a trail I haven't done yet.

[JimmyLyding]

Parker Creek in the Anchas?

[AndreyP]

@Stiller
I'll call you at 5:30am if I wake up to go with you. And if I don't then I don't.

[Sun_Ray]

@Stiller

OK, I'm going to start at the CCRA end and go out 4 miles and turn around. I'll try to time it that I'm able to see you out in the middle of your hike. Thinking that if you leave at 5:30 AM you will be at the TH about 6:30 AM. Your turn around looks like it where the trail connects with the Go John Trail which is 2 miles from the parking lot or my starting point. Means that we will overlap for only 2 miles, but we should see each other. I'm the big guy with the short white hair. YOU should be easy to spot!

[DarthStiller]

@AndreyP

Cool. If I don't answer that means I'm driving. I drive a standard transmission, so it's really hard to talk on the phone and shift gears. Leave a message if I don't answer and let me know what's up.

@Sun Ray

I'll likely take my lunch break at the halfway point, which will be the border of the CCRA. I need to check the map of the CCRA just for due diligence. See you for lunch.