Skull Mesa-Cottonwood Loop, Sunday Apr. 11

[DarthStiller]

Re-scheduling this one from my plan to do it last February when all the rain was hitting us. This one is in the 17-18 mile range, but the first/last section is along a dirt road. Who's up for another deathmarch? No snow for sure on this one. Leaving my house in Mesa at the usual 5:30am start time.

[JimmyLyding]

I'm down, but I need to check my schedule before moving from Interested to Committed. Skull Mesa is a spectacular little slice of basalt.

[rally_toad]

530 AM?

[JimmyLyding]

College kid needs to roll out of the rack at the crack of dawn! I hated it when I was your age, and I hate it even more now! Heck, when I was rally_toad's age I was more likely to still be awake at 4:30 than getting up. Hello Filiberto's!
Seriously, Skull Mesa is very cool. Much better trail than Black Mesa, but I haven't done Skull Mesa since AZDesertfather & I did it in December before all of this rain so who knows how the trail is.

[DarthStiller]

If Alex can get out of bed for this one, maybe we'll spot a cougar on this hike

[AndreyP]

This route crosses Cave and Cottonwood creeks several times. Do you think if it will be possible to cross them without getting wet this time?
I tried to do it in late February, the first Cave creek crossing at Tonto NF boundary was knee deep, and the next one was thigh deep, so I just turned around and went back home to dry my shoes...
Based on USGS data, I don't see much difference in gage height (5 ft late Feb vs 4.3 ft now), but discharge is 2 times less now than it was in late Feb and tends to decrease.

[joebartels]

Unless we get a freak storm between now and then I doubt you'll have any issues crossing. At nearly 90 degrees on the return it might be preferred

[AndreyP]

OK, let's see how freak this Thursday storm will be

[joebartels]

The wildflowers are getting thirsty, hopefully it pans out

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Sounds like fun unfortunately it falls in the two week window when I'm a slave to the man so I can pay those bills. Have fun I'll look forward to the triplogs and photosets.

[JimmyLyding]

If Alex can get out of bed for this one, maybe we'll spot a cougar on this hike

[Chistophe]

Funny, first thought that came to mind was a cougar from Scottsdale

[JimmyLyding]

Funny, first thought that came to mind was a cougar from Scottsdale

Stiller doesn't think like that.
Off to LA Fitness, and hopefully I won't run into any trouble with cougars.

[Chistophe]

Stiller doesn't think like that.

Yep, but apparently I do

[rally_toad]

Actually things have gotten a little less weird in regards to my cougar follower... she still won't be joining on this trip, sorry to dissapoint you all.

[The_Eagle]

Crossing Cave Creek will not be an issue unless we get a ton of Rain. Did the Skull Mesa route from Spur Cross>Metate>247>248 across the Mesa to the Ruins and down to Trail #4 today (3/30/2010). Every thing is in good shape. (14.5 Miles)

[JimmyLyding]

Actually things have gotten a little less weird in regards to my cougar follower... she still won't be joining on this trip, sorry to dissapoint you all.

Disappointment doesn't begin to describe it. You need to visit the Chuckbox for some advice from Big Juan.

[rally_toad]

As of right now, I'm leaning towards coming on this one... but we'll know for sure when it gets a bit closer. I'd lobby for a later start time, but for 17-18 miles the 5:30 meeting time sounds reasonable.

[AndreyP]

OK, now I'm definitely in. I'll be driving from Deer Valley, so we'll probably meet at the Spur Cross parking lot at say 6:30.

coanbru, thanks for status of the creek flow.

[DarthStiller]

Sounds great. I should be there about that time, or shortly thereafter. Look for the black Xterra.