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Thanks to suggestions from others, I want to do this via Dogie Trail. Should be interesting new part of AZ I haven't seen. According to Te-Wa we should prepare for it to be in the mid to low 20s probably during the night so be prepared if you want to come on this one.

Edit: Looks like we will also be taking the Casner Mountain trail out....adds a bit of mileage but the views should be worth the sore calves.

Also keep in mind if I wash those bushwhacking clothes with the water repellent stuff they might still soak up a bit of water with the manzanita pushing at you but they won't be retaining near as much water as without. So the extra thickness of the dickies doesn't slow you down because you've got half a gallon soaked into them. And then as as the last line of defense you have wool or fleece on under the stuff that will keep you warm if it somehow gets wet.

So what are people thinking about logistics for this trip? My vote would be to drive up sat AM, get on the trail by say 10:00AM. It's a pretty easy ~8 mile hike in, we could get to Taylor cabin around 2:00pm, have some time to explore before nightfall hits. I'm willing to drive my FJ for this trip. Four can fit in it comfortably, 5 would be a squeeze but doable in a pinch. The road gets a little rough and steep in places, but a 4WD is not mandatory. I'll try to call the forest service up there next week and get an update on weather, water, etc.

So where/ when was the planned meeting time for this? I will be camping at Hackberry Spring the night before, so if I get up early and start heading out I can meet you guys if the meeting time isnt too early.

I am curious about the meet up time as well. I could potentially drive as well. I can get 4 easily or cram 5 into my 4Runner. I also have a roof rack, and if weather is nice I can get 5 or 6 full packs in the roof basket.

What is the mileage breakout for this hike? Looks like some serious elevation gain, sound like a good hike.

hi, Tyler. It would likely be easy first day, down into Sycamore basin and then on day 2 with a lighter pack, up the Casner Mt. trail. Looks like about 9 miles day one, 11 day two. I suggest you guys in SE valley can meet and then pick me up at Dennys on I-17 and Bell...

So who all besides me and Alex are in the SE valley?

I'm in Mesa. Stapley and Baseline area.

Hmm...Do you guys know where the Home Depot is on Baseline between Priest and Kyrene? Bout the only thing I can think of that is basically on the way.....and my apartments just happen to be in back of it. Just seems like a fairly notable place to park....only other option I an think of is the mall or something further towards the west side of the valley.

Hey guys Im out on this one. Im feeling really sick, and the person who said they would cover my saturday shift bailed on me, so I'll catch you guys on the next trip.

Weak : (

man, this could almost be considered a "group Hang" if RTZ gets a suitable pad for the Claytor.

Four hangers all in one trip. Outstanding! Last weekend was the first time I had been around even one other hanger. Concerning drive logistics, If RTZ and D4D can agree on a place just off the 60, I'll swing by and pick you up around 7:30AM, and get up to Bell/I-17 around 8:00AM to pick up te-wa. Does that sound about right?

ok, i'll see you guys at RTZ's place, looks like 4 adults and 1 puppy. 4runner will do great since it has a pack rack.

I might be in...looks like it might come down to space in the back of the car. You jerks won't let me sit in the front....

You can come sit in my lap topo....I don't care if you're a little big for a lap dog : P

temps may be nice to us and remain above 30°
i may try my new Skeeter Beeter instead of the Bridge.
on the other hand, no real need for bug protection.

oh, and Tyler would you get yerself on the commited list, already?

You sure. The bugs are starting to come back out a bit in the Supes. This weekend I saw tons of gnat storms and just before going up the last bit to summit Battleship we ran into a very large swarm of bees swarming their way around the mountain.

Okay... Aren't bees supposed to be dormant by now? Am I going crazy? I haven't done a hike yet this winter without encountering a bunch of pesky bees!

Another sign of global warming???

I think bees are a sign of wildflowers. Yesterday I saw two wildflower variations, which are based on precipitation months prior. In December of 2000 I saw several with only 3 days left in December so it seems par for the course.