HikeArizona.COM

UPDATE: Location, Directions, Info: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6888&p=83678#p83678

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uh huh, pun intended...

Yes, it's time for a full-fledged summer camping/hiking/climbing/shenanigans adventure. Come one, come all... but don't say you didn't have time to clear your calendar (seriously, it's over 4 months from now)!

Date: Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12

Destination: Cabin Loop on the Mogollon Rim. We'll make a base camp that everybody can get to*, and if need be do a few shuttles to create dayhikes along the Cabin Loop. There are great opportunities for beautiful established-trail hiking in the cool pines, as well as off-trail exploration in rugged Dane Canyon (or Barbershop, Yeager, etc.)

If it's really hot (you know, over 80), there might even be a possible swimming trip over to Knoll Lake.

All of this is contingent on this part of the forest not burning down first.

Why this date??? It's Perseid Meteor Shower Weekend! That's right, despite a waning crescent moon rising after 2am, we should be subject to a weekend of debris from the Swift Tuttle Comet, which should provide a show of up to 50-60 meteors per hour (about 1/min). As long as the skies are clear.

This will of course require adult beverages and very late-night hiking to get away from the light of the fire, and time to readjust your eyes for better viewing. (The first time you'll ever be able to justify using that red light on your headlamp). If you haven't experienced a good meteor shower away from city lights before, it truly is something to behold! Bring a whole book of wishes, and see if they come true!

Details to follow. Just put it on your calendar now. No excuses.

* The new CNF travel management rule takes effect next month and there's a lot to learn about the new restrictions on travel and camping. As such, the exact location we will camp will be determined later. Nonetheless, you can expect it to be within 3 hrs of Phoenix. 2 hrs paved, and up to 20 miles on graded, sedan-accessible dirt roads. Don't be a wuss. Your Prius will love the fresh air!

I was in the area over the weekend scouting the final camp spot. The new travel management rules have certainly thrown a wrench into things, and the FS has done some interesting things in some of my favorite places. In some ways it's good, in others, not so much. I've narrowed it to three spots, and might open it up to discussion. Or I might just decide on my own! More in the next few days. I have to do a little more research.

There is a possibility I will be moving that weekend into a very long awaited house. Depends on the paperwork.

chumley wrote:I was in the area over the weekend scouting the final camp spot. The new travel management rules have certainly thrown a wrench into things, and the FS has done some interesting things in some of my favorite places. In some ways it's good, in others, not so much. I've narrowed it to three spots, and might open it up to discussion. Or I might just decide on my own! More in the next few days. I have to do a little more research.

I think your decision will probably work best for the crowd. I hope to make this but I will be just getting back from Glacier Park on Wednesday evening. It would be hard to pass on a HAZfest event though so I'm going to try my best to muster the energy to come.

chumley wrote:I was in the area over the weekend scouting the final camp spot. The new travel management rules have certainly thrown a wrench into things, and the FS has done some interesting things in some of my favorite places. In some ways it's good, in others, not so much. I've narrowed it to three spots, and might open it up to discussion. Or I might just decide on my own! More in the next few days. I have to do a little more research.

Will look for an update later this week. Yeah the FS did a number this year with all it's "new" regulations. But we'll make the best of it I'm sure.

I wasn't aware the new regulations affected the cabin loop areas. Were you referring to the OHV regs or something else?

Something else. Details on the new rules here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/ ... rdb5356224

This would have been fun - I hope to attend a HAZ event soon - but I have a friend visiting me at the Canyon that weekend ...

wow! Did you check out the downloadables? Looks like the FS has finally decided to enter to 21st century!

We will be moving that weekend. Disappointed that I can't go but excited about finally getting a house.

I will be heading up on Thursday. Will probably do a short day hike on Thursday as well. Maybe something that involves swimming..... Imagine that....

I won't be there until well after dark on Thursday (probably not leaving here until about 7 or so), but I'm sure we can figure out the logistics in the next couple of weeks.

Ok, here's the information everybody has been looking for. Location!

We will be camping near the east trailhead to the Barbershop Trail, near Lower Buck Spring.
This will give us easy access to the east cabin loop, Barbershop, and U-Bar trails. Distance hikers (~17 mile loop) can include Houston Brothers (or drive/shuttle there if preferred). Also accessed from Barbershop and U-Bar are access to off-trail exploration in Dane Canyon, Barbershop Canyon, Bill McClintock Draw, and the heretofore unexplored Yeager Canyon (at least not on HAZ). Additionally there is the fantastic 3-6mile off-trail hike in Upper Buck Springs Canyon. Hike descriptions are linked at the top of this page.

The camping area is adjacent to a wide open meadow area, but we will minimize impact and camp in the shade of Ponderosa nearby. The meadow will provide a wide view of the sky for seeing the meteor shower in the event the weather cooperates. (Which it basically hasn't done a single night yet this monsoon season!)

This location is in the center of a triangle of access roads, so you can choose one of three options for getting there based on your preference. The written directions for all three are written here, and all are shown on the attached map.
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2018

East Access:
From Payson:
32 miles paved
25 miles graded-dirt

From Payson, drive east on Hwy 260 toward Show Low.
After about 29 miles, turn left onto FR300.
Follow FR300 for 23 miles (the first 3.25 miles are paved)
(Note: There is a stop sign at 9.3 miles. Turn left to stay on FR300.)
Turn right onto FR137 / Buck Springs Ridge.
Follow FR137 for 4.2 miles
Turn right onto FR161 and travel about .5 mile and look around till you see us!
(2nd Note: There is a "mogul" road that is not suitable for sedans at the 3.6 mile mark on FR137. Turning right here will shorten the trip by 1 mile. But this road does not appear to be on the new MVUM this year, so if you choose to use it, please do so at your own risk.)

West Access:
From Payson:
29 miles paved
25 miles graded dirt

From Payson, drive North on AZ-87 toward Winslow.
After about 29 miles, and immediately after milepost 281, turn right onto FR300. (Signs say Rim Road, and Knoll Lake).
Follow FR300 for 20 miles.
Turn left onto FR137 / Buck Springs Ridge.
Follow FR137 for 4.2 miles
Turn right onto FR161 and travel about .5 mile and look around till you see us!
(Note: There is a "mogul" road that is not suitable for sedans at the 3.6 mile mark on FR137. Turning right here will shorten the trip by 1 mile. But this road does not appear to be on the new MVUM this year, so if you choose to use it, please do so at your own risk.)

West Valley drivers: Take I-17 to Camp Verde. From Camp Verde, take AZ-260 east up onto the rim. At jct with AZ-87, turn left and drive about 2 miles to FR300. Follow directions above.

North Access:
From Clints Well (Jct AZ-87 and Lake Mary Road):
9.2 miles paved
17 miles graded dirt

Get to Clints Well:
From Payson drive North on AZ-87 for 38 miles
From Camp Verde drive east on AZ-260 to it's junction at AZ-87, and turn left about 12 miles.
From Flagstaff, drive south on Lake Mary Road until it ends at AZ-87. Turn left.

Drive 9.2 miles on AZ-87 toward Winslow.
Turn right onto FR95, shortly after passing the Blue Ridge Ranger station.
Drive 6.4 miles to bottom of East Clear Creek.
Turn left after the bridge onto FR96.
Drive 4.5 miles to the end of FR96.
Take the right fork that merges into FR137.
Drive 5.7 miles on FR137 and turn left onto FR161.
Drive about .5 mile on FR161 and look around till you see us!

In summary:
From the east valley or Tucson, the East Access is likely the best.
From the west or north valley, or Prescott, the West Access is likely best.
From Flagstaff OR people who want the minimum amount of dirt road driving and don't mind a few extra paved miles to achieve it, the North Access is best. (FR300 is typically more washboarded, narrower, and more curvy than the FR95/96 access, so some drivers prefer this route despite the extra mileage to get there)

Please feel free to PM me or discuss in the thread if you have questions or concerns about the best route for you.

Nice! The Meadow may provide some Deer/Elk viewing as well. Very nice!!!

Anyone want to carpool from the east valley? I can probably fit 3 plus gear in the X-terra but am still waiting for my boss to authorize my day off. I should know tomorrow. Would want to leave Friday 08-10-12 (time is negotiable but I like an early start) PM me!!!

Trish

@Trishness
I would, but I'm going to go up Thursday morning, do a short hike and go fishing!!!!

I'm wondering.. if I decide to commit, how many on the interested list will sign up immediately, and how many will run for the hills.. LOL!!

Just choose one and stick with it. Nothing bothers me more with these group events than people who click interested and never make a commitment to attend or cancel. I think most know a week out if they won't come, and they ought to cancel to make it easier for those planning. If coming, but a little unsure about needed to cancel, you can always cancel last minute. People are reasonable if you let them know you may need to cancel, but you see "interested" people a lot who just forget to ever update their status. Really, the interested column almost means: I like the idea of this, but have no interest in actually attending. :SB: Maybe we need a revised column structure of "committed", "canceled", "serious interest and will update", and " this is a curious event, I like the fantasy of attending, but have no actual interest in ever doing so". Thus, my rant is concluded.

While I appreciate your rant, it's not like I'm hosting a dinner at my house. And while a hiking event typically requires you to know for sure who's coming so you don't start hiking without them, this is a camping weekend in the woods. If I'm the only one there, I'll have a good weekend. If 50 people show up, it will also be a good weekend. Even if te-wa is one of them.

chumley wrote: Even if te-wa is one of them.

If so there may be at least a couple of good beers to steal...

Personally speaking, I hope that alot of the people on the interested list decide to join us. I think it's going to be a blast and the more, the merrrier, plus always enjoy meeting some more HAZers. I think it's going to be a weekend of serious laughing and good times. I'm stoked!!! I missed last Winter's and won't do that again!!!! C'mon, guys! What have you got to lose???? Plus, there's the potential for an amAZing nighttime Light Show!!!!