EVENT SUMMARY: Please join us for a couple of nights of car camping, or stop by for a single night or even just a few hours to say hi and meet fellow HAZers, and maybe catch a glimpse of some meteors.
Just like last year we will gather together for a car camping adventure during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Technically the peak is Sunday night, but there should be plenty to see Friday and Saturday too (weather permitting). This event posting is for the social camping aspect only.
HIKING: Hiking will be multi-optional with short drives to various trailhead possibilities. Separate hikes will be set up for different groups of people to join on both Saturday and Sunday to match individual desires and abilities.
IMPORTANT CAMPING INFO:Camping will be adjacent to a sedan-accessible forest road. Due to the number of vehicles anticipated, the actual camp site may be a short walk from where you can legally park your vehicle. Each participant will be responsible for their own camp -- bring your own tent, chair, food, water, etc. This is "dispersed camping" and there are no facilities -- you will be responsible for bringing a shovel and burying waste according to normal forest guidelines. Each participant will be responsible for their own trash collection and removal. Please bring trash bags and plan on bringing your trash back home with you. A fire will be built and maintained for the group (possibly two fires, with one specifically for cooking). There will be a large area with plenty of room to set up tents.
DIRECTIONS TO HAZFEST:Due to record rains in July, I drove the road on Saturday (in a heavy rain shower) to verify that it is still sedan accessible. In my opinion, it is. However, there are some big puddles along the way which may or may not still be present depending on rainfall between now and then. If you are not comfortable driving on muddy, wet forest roads in your vehicle, please do so at your own risk. I take no responsibility for your ability to get to this location. If you are not comfortable, please turn around. I will provide as much information as possible, but the final decision on where you drive your vehicle is yours and yours alone.
Now then. The location where we will be camped is southwest of Wild Bill Hill. The driving route is marked on this HAZ Map. You may change the layers if you wish. The (default view) "MyTopo" layer shows some of the Forest Road numbers. The "Map" layer is a more traditional Google Maps view, while the "Satellite" layer provides an aerial photograph of the area. If you have questions about how to get there, please post in this forum or contact me via PM.
The text version of the directions are as follows:
From Flagstaff, head west on I-40 about 10 miles.
Take exit 185 (Bellemont) and turn right. (There is a McDonalds, Subway, Motel 6 and Pilot truck stop here. Fuel prices are generally within 1 or 2 cents of the least expensive gas in Flagstaff at this truck stop.)
Turn left onto the frontage road and proceed 0.8 miles.
Just after the cattle guard, turn right onto FR171, a dirt forest road and proceed for 4.4 miles.
Turn left onto FR171C and proceed for 0.5 miles.
Turn right onto FR9003M and proceed 300 yards. (This road has no number sign. It is marked by two reflective yellow stakes with orange ribbons.)
Turn left onto FR9004M and proceed 1.6 miles to camp.
This area is under forest travel rules that limit vehicular travel to 30-feet from the road. We will park adjacent to this road and set up camp on the west side in the shaded ponderosa forest.
Photos of this route as experienced during the absolute peak of possible rain and mud can be seen here. Note these photos are geotagged so you can view their exact location on a map.
DATES: Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th. For now mark your calendar and block off the entire weekend.
WHO CAN COME?: There are no restrictions on participation. However, we will be up late and probably sort of loud. This is not a campground and there is no 10pm lights-out quiet time! This probably isn't a great event for children or folks who don't like good food, adult beverages, guitars, terrible singing of good songs, and lots of laughter ;) (or at least tolerate others who do).
DOGS: Well-behaved and owner-controlled dogs are welcome. Please be courteous and consider other people or other dogs before deciding to bring your dog. Dog owners are responsible for their own pet and following National Forest rules and regulations (leashes required, picking up waste, etc.)
QUESTIONS: May be posted to this thread in the forum or you may send me a PM directly and I will try to respond within a couple of days. Hope to see you there!
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
SAMBA wrote:A 30 pack/HAZer!!!! Mmmmm! Now that's a platform I can buy into. Is it just me, or are there any other HAZers who feel the current HAZ leadership has grown stale by spending so much time on all that hikin' nonsense. BTW, Is this the proper forum to offer Hippy's name into consideration for HAZ President (or at the very least, HAZ Social Director)?
Mr. "Cheapest Beer Available" weighs in... ;)
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
It is now official. There will be a campfire at HAZfest as the fire restrictions have been lifted and we will be camping in 6-inches of fire-resistant monsoon mud
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
Cool, I will be bringing my mountain pie irons to cook on the fire if anyone wants to bring any special ingredients such as fruit pie fillings. I will be bringing lots of bread, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.
Alex wrote:Cool, I will be bringing my mountain pie irons to cook on the fire if anyone wants to bring any special ingredients such as fruit pie fillings. I will be bringing lots of bread, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.
I love cooking with pie irons. But the cheap aluminum ones that are easiest to find are no match for a set of well-seasoned cast iron ones.
They are great for making egg-based breakfasts too.
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
Now if we can just get our HAZ Fire Expert on board....
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
Alex wrote:Cool, I will be bringing my mountain pie irons to cook on the fire if anyone wants to bring any special ingredients such as fruit pie fillings. I will be bringing lots of bread, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.
that reminds me, Trish and I bot some so I better get together with her and pick mine up in case she can't make it.
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination. Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.
Now if we can just get our HAZ Fire Expert on board....
Steve, I think it's going to be colder if you don't show up....
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination. Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.
Alex wrote:Cool, I will be bringing my mountain pie irons to cook on the fire if anyone wants to bring any special ingredients such as fruit pie fillings. I will be bringing lots of bread, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.
I love cooking with pie irons. But the cheap aluminum ones that are easiest to find are no match for a set of well-seasoned cast iron ones.
They are great for making egg-based breakfasts too.
I like fresh french bread sliced thick, with pesto, tomatoe slices, and mozzerella. YUM!
I wish I could make this, the little one should be here any day and I am sure momma wouldn't approve if I left town for the weekend.
@Espi
That's where you've been!!! You've been busy!!! Let us know when the new arrival decides to make an appearance!!!
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
This brings up the fact that I hate to cook and wonder what is expected of me. Can I pitch in some cash to someone who's cooking? Otherwise I'm likely to be eating Mountain House out of a bag and feeling sorry for myself.
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
azbackpackr wrote:This brings up the fact that I hate to cook and wonder what is expected of me. Can I pitch in some cash to someone who's cooking? Otherwise I'm likely to be eating Mountain House out of a bag and feeling sorry for myself.
Can I steal your Mountain House bag when you're done? I reuse them! LOL. It will be nice to see you! I may bake up some dutchoven brownies which I'll share with everyone.
azbackpackr wrote:This brings up the fact that I hate to cook and wonder what is expected of me. Can I pitch in some cash to someone who's cooking? Otherwise I'm likely to be eating Mountain House out of a bag and feeling sorry for myself.
Can I steal your Mountain House bag when you're done? I reuse them! LOL. It will be nice to see you! I may bake up some dutchoven brownies which I'll share with everyone.
Sounds yummy! Looking forward to seeing you again, too!
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
te-wa wrote:'tis easier to learn to cook than to feel sorry for one's self - aristotle
I KNOW HOW to cook. In fact, I'm a pretty good cook! I can make really good spaghetti, lasagne, tacos, enchiladas, pot roast, etc. I've been a kitchen manager in a Mexican restaurant, and have worked in other restaurant kitchens as well.
Knowing how does not translate into liking the activity, however.
For various reasons I won't go into here, I began to dislike cooking during marriage and family raising.
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
ya know Liz, if you would bring in a lasagna, fit for a king or queen, and reheat it on the coals.. i may be inclined to bring a corny keg full of orange creamsicle/pushup pale ale.
te-wa wrote:ya know Liz, if you would bring in a lasagna, fit for a king or queen, and reheat it on the coals.. i may be inclined to bring a corny keg full of orange creamsicle/pushup pale ale.
you've been pleasantly warned.. ;)
I'll consider it. I'll bring my hammock, too!
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
te-wa wrote:ya know Liz, if you would bring in a lasagna, fit for a king or queen, and reheat it on the coals.. i may be inclined to bring a corny keg full of orange creamsicle/pushup pale ale.
you've been pleasantly warned.. ;)
I'll consider it. I'll bring my hammock, too!
I found a couple of Dutch oven lasagna recipes, and will bring my D.O. Do the do in the D.O.
So much for eating Mtn. House out of a bag and feeling sorry for myself. Now I will have to actually WORK--alas! I'll prepare as much at home as possible, and put in the cooler.
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
Route Editor
Route Scout
Let us know when the new arrival decides to make an appearance!!! 
I'll prepare as much at home as possible, and put in the cooler.