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This is in the preliminary planning stage.... But was thinking about a 3rd trip up to quartz peak.

Obviously it wouldnt be for several month, until the weather cools down.

For those not familiar, Quatrz peak is in the Estrella mountians and considered remote and difficult. TrailDEX has a good description of the trail.

Basically its 2,500 feet in less than 3 miles one way.

Im just planting seeds today to see if anything grows.


Discuss

Cakewalk, I can do the second weekend as well. And, if I recall, someone stated that a clearance vehicle is preferred. I have an F150 4x4. The pretty kind. you know, the ones that say 4x4, but have never seen any action. Count me in.

From all the prior descriptions, I am guessing that I should cancel X-mas party plans that night due to foreseen muscle fatigue??????

Marc

testing post2

"foreseen muscle fatigue" I like that and honestly, will probably steal it...

Anyhow, I am also in for the 13th. I have an old Blazer that'll be going; no back seat so alot of people can actually fit in the back. I think I remember Cakewalk mentioning meeting somewhere near the road to the trail before hand so when we get this solidified count on being able to use my truck too... Count me in!!

What's our count up to now, 5-7? Just curious.

In response to chihiggs' reply:

Yeah there is a gas station we can meet at and park our unworthy vehicles in estrella ranch...

im in for whatever weekend everyone decides on...

I'm gunna tell my dad about this one and see if him and his Friend Tom would want to come. I wont know till after thanksgiving. They both live in Flagstaff.

Hey All, sounds like a great hike, would love to join. The second Saturday of December works great too.

I have a 4x4 jeep cherokee that can take a couple of xtra people.

I could join you on the 13th. My girlfriend would be able to also. Meeting at the gas station is good.

How do you get to this gas station? I need instructions here. I would be comming down off of I-17.

In response to Steven's reply:


From Phoenix head west on I-10 towards California. Take the Estrella Parkway exit and head south. Continue 8.2 miles to Elliot Road. Take a right and the gas station will be on the right hand side. From that point we are still around 20 mile from the trail head.

Looks like we are going on Saturday, December 13th. Lets plan on 9am?

I will need a ride from the gas station as my car is not worthy of such a trek.

Kewl!!

I'll be at the gas station at 9am. Cakewalk, thanks for the directions!! I will be bringing my Blazer. Can fit 5-6 comfortably and up to 10 if you don't mind being cozzy!!

Really looking forwad to this hike!!

Sadly I have to sit this one out - Im getting sick....Hopefully not the flu....


Have fun - post pics....

I took a small group to Quartz peak yesterday. There's some construction on Estrella Parkway. The I-10 westbound exit for Estrella Parkway is closed. We went on down a mile, exited and then worked our way back to the parkway. The entrance ramps from Estrella Parkway to I-10 were open. Just an FYI. Also, there is a pit toilet at the trailhead but no TP. Not a problem to a prepared hiker. We saw a few hawks and one Kestrel. The dirt road is in great shape. Medium to high clearance is all you need. One of our group had a close experience of the cholla kind. Just one bud in the calf. We helped de-spine a guy who had fallen and managed to get 3 buds in his hand. It was a great day for a hike which we followed up with a trip to the hot springs at Tonopah. Mmmmmmm.

Thanks for the note on the exit!!! Cakewalk, sorry to hear you are out...

See ya's at the gas station at 9AM.

Is it too late to get in on this? It would be me and a buddy. Probably will need a ride from the gas station though. Sounds like a few of you have some trucks though. Hope to hear back from one of you before hand.

Sorry to hear that you wont be makin it Cakewalk. I was looking foward to hiking with you again. It's been well over a year

In response to Steven's reply:

Yeah maybe we can do picacho peak again sometime in the spring.


Enjoy Quartz Peak!

So....


Did anyone go?


Where is the report? the pictures?

Yeah, 5 of us showed up. We left the gas station at 9:30. Next time you use this as the meeting point add a few more details about it. I did not see the gas station, it just looked like a market place to me and I passed it and kept on going for more than a mile. I turned around and decided to see if that was it. It's a weird gas station.
I took some pics but wont have them developed for awhile. It was a great hike. Too bad you could not make it Cakewalk. It was not as hard as i anticipated, but it was good to help me get back into shape, mainly for the 4 peaks next week.

In response to Steven's reply:

cool! Lets start planning a trip to picacho peak sometime early spring / late winter.....