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Last hike before my second shoulder surgery to remove the plate. It's possible this could be my last hike until Feb/Mar if reconstructive surgery is necessary. Won't know until I wake up .

A friend asked me to be his tour guide for this hike. He's not a hiker (yet) and wanted some guidance. So far it's three of us, including another friend of his. I'll have room max for 2 more in the Stillermobile, after that we'll need someone with a high clearance to step up if anyone else wants to go. After we summit, we may make our way over to the Amethyst mine or do some other trails on the way back to the TH to add some mileage, depending on how the noobs feel.

I'll leave Mesa at the usual 5:30am time and stop at my friend's house, which is conveniently located along Power Road just south of where it turns into the Bush Hwy.

Wow, long time no see, huh? This hike will be exactly 3 years since the last time (actually the only time) I hiked with you.

I summited Brown's Peak back in June but I'm up for a second time for the year. If another vehicle is needed I can drive as well.

Hope this time it turns out better for me... I lost all ten toenails from the after effects of that hike (Soldier Camp) and a few still haven't grown back. I guess the good that come out of it was I quit wearing hiking shoes/boots and wear Teva's almost exclusively now.

CannondaleKid wrote:I lost all ten toenails from the after effects of that hike (Soldier Camp) and a few still haven't grown back. I guess the good that come out of it was I quit wearing hiking shoes/boots and wear Teva's almost exclusively now.

Wow! A Toeless Kokopelli! .. or is that Shoeless?

Shoe-less!
Note to self (and others wondering how I lost the toenails):
Don't EVER wear shoes/boots with elastic laces!

I had bought a pair of Merrell Chameleons which had worked ok on level ground but were the worst thing to wear on the straight up-and-down-and-up-and-down ad infinitum hike with Chris back in '07. The "give" from the laces allowed my feet to move back and forth constantly.

Although I replaced the laces with solid ones I VERY rarely wear the Chameleons and never on hikes due to round edged soles that practically promote allow ankle rollover. I don't have than problem with Teva's, especially the latest Terra-Fi's.

CannondaleKid wrote:Don't EVER wear shoes/boots with elastic laces!

Hey, thanks for that information! That's something I've never considered before, but it makes sense!

I am interested in joining you for this hike, is there a possibility of carpooling from Mesa, I am located in central Phoenix but could meet you somewhere in mesa.

I live by University and Higley in Mesa. You can meet us at my place, or off the 202 and Power Road if that's more convenient for you. Let me know. I can PM my address to you if you want to drive to my house.

Dang, changing schedules have a way of messing up the best-laid plans. My S.O. has to work Thursday so Friday will be our Thanksgiving.

Sorry Chris... I'll have to catch a hike with you another time.

Hey Still...

You mentioned this a few weeks ago, and since I'm down for the week would normally be all over this, BUT got a cortisone shot in left ankle about a week ago...NOW it feels like I have some kind of strained tendon or bone bruise at the bottom of that same foot, possibly related to shot. Don't think it will get better by Friday but I'm putting myself in as a very weak maybe.

If I don't see you, good luck with that surgery.

@CannondaleKid
No worries. We'll catch up again sometime.

@squatpuke
The round trip is only 4.5 miles if we just do the peak. but it is nearly 2000' AEG. Most of that is the vertical climbing portion of the chute (check pics on any photoset). I tend to think of this a very easy hike, it's no where near the all day slog of Skull Mesa. But you know your limits in terms of an injury, so use your best judgement.

CannondaleKid wrote: Don't EVER wear shoes/boots with elastic laces!

Odd, I've done most of my dry hiking in Merrell Cameleons and have yet to loose a toenail... ;)