Flatiron Orange Paint Removal Project

[JuanJaimeiii]

Well if you haven't seen the Orange Arrows Leading up to the Flatiron in person you may certainly have seen photos of them. They are obnoxious and unnecessary. I decided to test out the removal of the arrows with a product I have used in the past called "Citristrip". It is a bio degradable non toxic stripper and seemed to work quite well. JohnLP came along on the initial test and we found that this product in a spray can, along with a good scrub brush and some shop towels to mop up the mess did the trick. In roughly an hour and a half of work we were able to eliminate 3 of them. That leaves 17 to be removed.

I would like to put together a small task force to finish the job.

The plan if weather permits is for next Saturday the 14th of December starting at 8am. We will need an additional 6 cans as we found one can works for about 3 arrows.

What to bring? Bring a pair of rubber gloves like you would use to wash dishes by hand. Some old shop towels to mop up the paint and a good scrub brush. Lastly bring a plastic bag to haul out the mess. As for the Citristrip I will purchase all the product. If you want to chip in on that I ask that you donate to HAZ instead. The Citristrip is 9.00 a bottle and without HAZ I wouldn't be able to post this event.

Let's meet at the Quick Trip on the corner of Idaho and Old West Highway. From the 60 it is straight north on Idaho a few miles at the south-east corner of Idaho and Old West Highway. Meet at 8am sharp. We will leave there by 8:20 and go get this party (oops meant project) started.

[CannondaleKid]

Ok, let me get this straight...

So when the Forest Service (who's tasked with management of the Wilderness) doesn't do it's job in a timely manner (just how long ago did they hear about this from mnlumberjack, an FS volunteer no less?), then someone else steps up to the plate to do the job and what, practically gets smacked down by what comes across to me as a You better do this only with proper authorization or you'll be arrested! tone.

I can see the headline now: A group from the fanatical wilderness protection organization 'HAZ' arrested for Removing graffiti without a permit'.

I tell ya'... when it appears to be ok to spray paint on rocks in a wilderness but not clean it up, what is this world coming to?

Yes, in this litigious society I understand the need for waivers and such for structured groups, but a few individuals who just happen to be HAZ members doing something good? Sorry that just stinks.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I posted this November 14 and I guess most of you missed it, and I quote:

"It is best to leave it for the USFS to deal with or at least get permission to remove it.
Attempts to remove it without permission may result in long term damage and/or a ticket with fines for doing so.
Those of you that are volunteers with the USFS answer up please."

End of quote.

Yes the USFS is supposed to manage the Wilderness but some times they think of only tickets and revenue therefrom.

[Bradshaws]

Doesn't really matter to me WHO is suppose to do it, I'll do it, right or wrong... I'm in!!

It seems I have a "funeral" to attend Saturday so I can't make it to work ;) Word is some orange arrows are going to die...

[RickVincent]

"It is best to leave it for the USFS to deal with or at least get permission to remove it.
Attempts to remove it without permission may result in long term damage and/or a ticket with fines for doing so.
Those of you that are volunteers with the USFS answer up please."

Forest Service has pretty much given us the nod. Sounds like we will be signing a "permission slip" to volunteer.

Siphon Draw Posse to the rescue :wlift: .

[azhiker96]

This will be unique for me, cleaning trail with permission. I've picked up a lot of trash and maybe nipped back some catclaw a time or two but never with a permit.

[Sredfield]

This will be unique for me, cleaning trail with permission. I've picked up a lot of trash and maybe nipped back some catclaw a time or two but never with a permit.

Kind of takes some of the fun out of it, eh?

[JuanJaimeiii]

I didn't find any of this to be too much red tape. It didn't really cross my mind in the first place to be honest but if they want a volunteer form to be completed then I am happy to do so.

It's all good and I am looking forward to getting the task completed so we can all go back to enjoying it as nature intended it to be.

[vanman]

Nice work JJ! Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday and getting rid of those things!!

[Bradshaws]

I see that most everyone is coming from the East side but I'll be coming from NW Phoenix (35th Ave. & Bell) around 6:45-7ish with 3 empty seats. Let me know if anyone wants or needs a ride

See Y'all tomorrow

[leannsanchez]

Is there room for another volunteer or two? I'd be happy to help!

[JuanJaimeiii]

Yes there is room for more! Would love to have an army of volunteers. Meet at 8:00am at the Quick Trip on Old West Hwy and Idaho/88. If you need directions feel free to call me on my cell phone. 602-478-5646.

[RowdyandMe]

Haz Hikers are the best I look forward to meeting everyone and getting the job done. See everyone in the morning

[mistaben]

I didn't know about this project until the other day, but I'll be on the trail with a handful of Boy Scouts tomorrow morning. I'll make sure to say hi to anyone we see scrubbing rocks!

[azhiker96]

If I'd had a silent night I would have gone. However, I'm a nurse, on call, and currently waiting for my second post op patient. I'm going to be up all night and will have to catch up on sleep tomorrow. Have fun!

[RowdyandMe]

@leannsanchez
See you there

Larry

[SuperstitionGuy]

Met with the rock scrubbers this morning to wish them well. More showed up then were committed and by now they are on trail heading up into Siphon Draw with weapons in hand. USFS service gave a safety briefing to some of the most experienced off trail men and women of Arizona. It was, shall we say a little hilarious.

Outdoor Lover will be posting pictures of the groups activities, so standby for the good stuff later this evening or tomorrow....

[chumley]

USFS service gave a safety briefing to some of the most experienced off trail men and women of Arizona. It was, shall we say a little hilarious.

Official gubment CYA. Typical.
I hope Pam took video of that!

[Sredfield]

USFS service gave a safety briefing to some of the most experienced off trail men and women of Arizona. It was, shall we say a little hilarious.

Ha! Wish I could have seen that. I understand and appreciate the necessity of such things-we can always use a safety reminder-but it does get a little redundant.

[Bradshaws]

Great day!! We got all the arrows most of the paint came off fairly easy but the hike was a KILLER! ( This was my 1st time to the iron and only 2nd in the supes)

All in all a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone, especially john for putting this together.

Nice to meet you all

[outdoor_lover]

@chumley
I didn't... ;) He was just doing what he had to do...Besides, if I had been pointing a Camera, the spontaneity would have never happened...It was just one of those "you had to be there times".....
@SuperstitionGuy
I actually didn't take many Photos, I should have taken a Group One at QT, nobody was really all together after that, and by the time I hit Siphon, everybody else was probably close to the Top... I knew I wouldn't go very far today as I have some Confidence issues with a Knee still, so other than Bob, exploring above us when we got done, there just weren't many Photo Ops to be had....But it was a good Day!!! Thanks to everyone who participated, it was good to meet up with old friends again and meet some new ones!!! Thanks for the Treats at the Start Owen! It was good to see you again today too!!!