Mazatzal Divide Trail-Peely to Fisher Saddle Sun. Mar. 28

[DarthStiller]

Depending on road and trail conditions, I'm planning to start at the Mt. Peely TH and hike north to the junction of the Fisher Trail and turn back. Distance should be just over 16 miles. Leaving Mesa at 5:30am.

[JimmyLyding]

The Stillermobile should have no problem with FR 201 unless it rained in the previous 48 hours, and even were that to occur I don't think it would be impassable. That road is only really bad for low-clearance vehicles (like mine).
I'm really excited to hike this trail

[DarthStiller]

It can be a fun drive up there. I've been meaning to get back up this way and do more hikes, but with the weather and my injury issues recently, it got moved back a bit. I wanted to get a hike in before the heat gets too bad. Wish I would have got up there before the overgrowth of spring hit, but oh well.

[joebartels]

Originally I was hoping to see some wildflowers but it looks to be to high in elevation for late March...

[FreespiritAZ]

What part of Mesa are you leaving? Are people going to meet in Mesa or at the trail head?

[DarthStiller]

Usually everyone just meets at my house. The nearest cross streets are University and Higley. I can PM you the address if you're in, or let me know if you prefer another meeting spot.

If we get over 5 in the committed category, we're gonna need someone to step up with a 2nd vehicle. FYI to everyone.

[FreespiritAZ]

Yeah I am in. I just need to bring plenty of water and a pack with lunch, right?

[JimmyLyding]

I recommend bringing a lunch. If we leave Stiller's house @ 5:30 we should be @ the trailhead by 7:30. 16 miles should take us between 7-9 hours.
What's the plan if there are large downed trees across FR 201? The good news is that we won't get into the timber until about 2 miles from the TH.

[DarthStiller]

I just need to bring plenty of water and a pack with lunch, right

That's the main essentials. other things like camera, boots, hiking poles, etc, are at your descretion. not sure what the weather will be like in terms of needing long sleeves, sweatshirt sunscreen, etc.

What's the plan if there are large downed trees across FR 201?

Anybody got a chainsaw? maybe another item on the list. Anyone have any idea about recent conditions regarding that? Someone must have posted a triplog from a hike out of that TH.

[FreespiritAZ]

I never have used hiking poles, not even when I was off trail in the mountains surrounding Colorado Springs. I like using big sticks

[te_wa]

last trip up, Feb 21st - i found snow that proved sketchy for the drive in, so we walked the last mile and a half to the head. someone had recently driven it tho, and cut the fallen logs from across the road. it should be passable with the X by now.

[DarthStiller]

Thanks for the update Mike. Cool, no chainsaws necessary! Time to cruise on up with the Stillermobile

[PrestonSands]

...no chainsaws necessary!

Good. The fuel intake line disolved in mine

FYI: Currently all the north facing slopes in the Mazatzals above 6000 feet or so have a pretty solid snowpack. The north slope of Four Peaks is buried, and so is Y-Bar Basin, Mazatzal Peak, etc. The trail along Mount Catherine (7358') could be an "interesting" stretch. Search and rescue pulled some people off of the northern Maz Divide Trail on Wednesday due to the trail being covered in snow. Or so they said...

Forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... it=0&lg=en

On a positive note, waterfalls are raging everywhere up there!

[FreespiritAZ]

Oooooooo waterfalls!! Can't wait for the picture taking

[Chistophe]

This sounds like fun, you can count me in.

[DarthStiller]

Can we get anyone to offer up a 2nd ride? We'll definitely need at least 2 vehicles to get the current size of the committed group there. 4WD preferred, high clearance is a necessity. We might get more people to commit if they know the transportation situation is taken care of.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

In response to Stiller:
4x4 Frontier Crew Cab with topper is available if needed. Also, plan still to meet at your place? If so Pm me address.

[Dschur]

FYI: Currently all the north facing slopes in the Mazatzals above 6000 feet or so have a pretty solid snowpack. The north slope of Four Peaks is buried, and so is Y-Bar Basin, Mazatzal Peak, etc. The trail along Mount Catherine (7358') could be an "interesting" stretch. Search and rescue pulled some people off of the northern Maz Divide Trail on Wednesday due to the trail being covered in snow. Or so they said...

Helicopter rescues couple trapped on snow-covered ridge
By Alexis Bechman

March 19, 2010

A Department of Public Safety helicopter on Wednesday rescued a stranded couple trapped on a snowy ridge in the Mazatzal Wilderness Area south of Payson.

The pair started their hike on the Barnhardt Trail just south of Rye and planned to loop around to their car on the 3.3-mile Rock Creek Trail. However, while descending the Rock Creek Trail, they lost their way and ended up on a snowy ridge where they could neither go up nor down, said Tonto Rim Search and Rescue (TRSAR) Commander Bill Pitterle.

The couple called for help on their cell phone around 1 p.m. Gila County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator Sgt. Terry Hudgens requested assistance from TRSAR and the DPS Ranger helicopter.

The helicopter pilot plucked the pair up from the ridge uninjured and delivered them back to their car.

Last fall, TRSAR responded to roughly the same area when a group of friends lost the trail and couldn’t find a way off a ridge, Pitterle said.

[JimmyLyding]

Maybe I'll get to try out my gaiters!

[Chistophe]

I would offer up a ride, but I don't drive a 4WD