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What a way to kick off summer!
Quartz Peak trail in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness. May 17th dayhike.

rdavisiii

want to meet up at papago parking lot? should be close enough to your place and the highway to meet up with everyone.

Looks like the meeting point on the way is Papago Parking lot if thats fine with everyone? Me and Chris will leave mesa at 5:30 so we'll be there shortly after.

Papago works. I know were Papago is just familiar with the details of the place. Where would we meet there?

Pick a spot if you can think of one. otherwise, look for this vehicle:

http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=65749

If it turns out I need a ride do you guys have room for one more along the way? I can meet y'all anywhere it's convenient out this way in Avondale or Goodyear.

Can you meet us at or near the I-10 exit for the Estrella Parkway? I'm not very familiar with what kind of facilities are (or aren't) at each exit. Pick an exit out there, as well as a spot (gas station, store, etc) and we should be there between 6:30-7am.

Chris it's 51 minutes from your house to the Home Depot at Dysart/1-10 which is 3 miles before the turnoff onto Estrella Prkwy.

Better yet, there's a Safeway at 440 N Estrella Pkwy, 52 minutes from your house. (about a block after turning South off 1-10)

It's 1hr 21m from the Safeway to the trailhead...

For those meeting up at Papago park, is the meeting spot at the parking lot on Priest Drive?

rdavisiii wrote:For those meeting up at Papago park, is the meeting spot at the parking lot on Priest Drive?

yes... the parking lot to the west of the parkway and northern of Van Buren.

it's going to be a hot one... you guys sure you don't want to start a bit earlier?

The Safeway on the Estrella Pkwy sounds like the way to go. Dwnorth, can you meet us there? what kind of car do you have that we should look for?

Alex, do you know where that lot is at Papago Park? I’m gonna rely on you for directions there after we leave my house.

A half hour won’t make much difference this time of year. We should be at the peak before noon, and the rest of it’s downhill. Just take extra water, for the hike and for after, since it will be long drive to the nearest Circle K after we’re done.

Stiller wrote:We should be at the peak before noon

I would sure hope so, its only a 5 mile hike, I've done worse than this during the summer time.

I know where Papago is Chris, I'll figure out where that lot is before we leave, make sure its the one that Im thinking of right now.

I usually take frozen water bottles or add lots of ice to my hydration packs for summer hikes like this.

Stiller wrote:The Safeway on the Estrella Pkwy sounds like the way to go. Dwnorth, can you meet us there? what kind of car do you have that we should look for?

Alex, do you know where that lot is at Papago Park? I’m gonna rely on you for directions there after we leave my house.

A half hour won’t make much difference this time of year. We should be at the peak before noon, and the rest of it’s downhill. Just take extra water, for the hike and for after, since it will be long drive to the nearest Circle K after we’re done.

My buddy with the Tundra can't make it so YES I sure can meet you there at the safeway. Thank you very much!!! I drive a battered gold '01 Dodge Stratus w/D'backs plates. I too do the frozen water and Gatorade thing for hiking. Works wonders. Especially since I hike with about 30 or so pounds of camera equipment! If ya care to exchange phone numbers you can reach me at dwnorthcan@netscape.net.

Btw Stiller what do you drive?

look for this vehicle:

http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=65749

and make sure you guys also take some chilled unfrozen water. I take 17oz propels and the only ones that freeze quick enough are the ones outside the pack in the sun. if you have one or 2 frozen ones inside, they keep the rest cool.

STEELERS EH? ...............ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding, sort of. Yeah I'll have unfrozen liquid as well that the iced will keep cold. So much nicer having cold, or at least cooler hydration! Looking forward to meeting y'all even if I'll probably be left in your dust on the trail. ;)

I took a look at the maps... Butterfly Mountain isn't that far off. I guess we can make that determination after we hit Quartz first. Would be nice to knock out the other one if we are up for it.

That's where I think the heat is going to be limiting factor. Doing bushwhacking/boulder as the heat of the day approaches will take alot out of you.

Ok Im calling this official, me and Chris will meet in Mesa at 5:30, from there we will meet rdavisiii and sarichter at the Papago Parking lot, then we will meet dwnorth at the Safeways on Estrella Parkway, then for a nice hike, hopefully done pretty early since it isnt that long of a hike.