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Continuing on to the next section of the Highline Trail that I have yet to complete, I want to hike from the Gernonimo TH to the Washington Park TH. This one will be done as a shuttle hike and Wally has so far agreed to serve as the 2nd driver. If we get a large enough of a group for this, we may need more drivers. Total distance is I believe 9.4 miles as noted by tonyp in his book. Leaving Mesa at 5:30am. Should be starting to get warm in the Valley around this time, so heading up north should begin to sound inviting.

kingsnake wrote:16+ miles and 3900+ AEG is a bit beyond me at this point. (My 15 relatively flat miles last weekend was the furthest I walked since I was a Army private 27 years ago ...)

Me too.

Yeah, with the shuttle involved also, 16 miles I think is a bit much. plus it's a long drive back. After the Rock Creek hike I didn't get home until after 7 and my kids were already in their PJs. Col. Devin or Pump Station sounds good. I think either one puts us in the 10-12 mile range, which is respectable.

I'm itching to get out of town and this might just do it for me (if a semi-planned camping trip doesn't happen that weekend). I'll know for sure by Monday I think. If I can make it, I'll be able to commit a vehicle to the shuttle. Me +4 inside, 3-4 in the bed if needed. Haztrack looks to be 8.8 miles? (http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=9329)

Just out of curiousity, why are there separate hikes for Colonel Devin Trail #290 ( http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=6600 ) and the Railroad Tunnel Hike ( http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=7107 ) since they go the same route?

Anyway, yeah, I would not mind checking out the railroad tunnel as an extension. I assume we are starting at the west end, then hiking east?

I'm interested in tagging along if I can scrounge a seat. I have a tiny civic that is pretty much worthless for doing a shuttle.

kingsnake wrote:I assume we are starting at the west end, then hiking east?

Yes, that's the plan. I looked at the maps and it seems like a good idea to go directly to the Wash. Park TH thru the Houston mesa area from Payson, drop cars off at Wash park, head to Geronimo and then hike east. once we get to Wash park, we can have a committe meeting to see how everyone feels, time of day, etc.

John9L wrote:I have a tiny civic that is pretty much worthless for doing a shuttle

I don't you'll be expected to contribute a civic for the dirt roads. I'll PM my info if you commit by the hike date and you can just drive to my place in Mesa.

I'm committed but may have to drop out if things don't go as planned moving this week.. willing to drive if another car is needed.

oh, man... I'm having nightmares of a certain Pine HAZ hike last year where there were a million hikers and I held everyone up. I've got some conditioning to do this weekend to get back in the game!

As that route is along the AZT I'd be interested in any trail condition reports anyone cares to make. Thanks!

I'm in if somebody agrees to give me a ride from the very Arrowhead to the trail and back. Can't take a car and leave my buddy with no wheels for a whole day.

AndreyP wrote:from the very Arrowhead

The what?

If you can get to mesa we can ride you up and back from there. See who else is committed and might be near you and try to arrange a carpool to Mesa if you can.

Also, my friend Ted has said he's also interested in this one, so the potential final group seems to keep growing.

I hope that some definite Joe will drive north section of Loop 101 and will kindly pick me up.
Also it may be a good idea to carpool from Fountain Hills on. It's some people won't have FR drivable vehicles anyway and, like, save the planet stuff

I'm ok for a meetup somewhere, but not Ftn Hills. That's a backtrack for me from Mesa. Last time we did a meetup at the Ballantine TH. That works best for me if not my house. I would think a drive to east Mesa is still a shorter drive than up to the Ballantine, but we can play that by ear.

I have that Sunday off work - a very rare event - and would love to go, if anyone is going from my area ( Cactus and Tatum) and I could catch a ride?

cactuscat ... I live at Peoria & 7th St, so you are not far from me. I could pick you up on the way to east Mesa ...

kingsnake wrote:cactuscat ... I live at Peoria & 7th St, so you are not far from me. I could pick you up on the way to east Mesa ...

That would be fantastic, kingsnake - thank you! I have been dying to get up to that area again, so I am excited for this ...

This is a big crew to set up a shuttle for. I can't wait to be packed in with everyone smelling ripe on way back.

Cancelling my camping trip, and now have Sunday open with nothing to do. Sounds like a blast. Might need to catch a ride if I can't get my truck up and running. I live on University just West of Val Vista, so I can get a ride to Stillers. But if I do get my truck fixed, I will have room for 4 plus me, and if need be a bed full. I am working on it today after work, so should know by tonight.

My camping trip is a go, which means that this isn't going to work for me this time.

Looks like it'll be a nice group though. Have fun!

I'm out ... but thanks again, anyhow kingsnake!