Route Editor
Route Scout
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!
Something to be said for taking Lighter Fluid I guess...Took me an hour to get one started Thur. night, gave up Wed. night since it was threatening rain anyway....
:stretch: