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The 68th Annual Dons trek is coming up this Sunday March 10th, 2002.
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It sounds like an interesting time for all ages.
Here's another brief description,
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Fritzski and I have been in contact with Mike Scarbrough, past president of the Dons Club, and he has indicated to us that the attendance will be down this year for one reason or another. They would appreciate anyone that would be interested to come on out for the day. The Dons don't turn a profit on this, apparently they barely make their money back on a good year. Anyone interested should head on out Sunday. Fritzski and I will be there helping lead a couple of groups on the 'Long Hike' which is basically the Cave Trail loop run counter-clockwise. We went out to meet with Mike and do a 'dry run' last Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised at the alternate routes we took back there. A few of the features seen on the hike include an ancient 'crematorium', damage done by a 'diamond-billed rockpecker', 'fat mans crack', 'devils slide' and Geronimo Cave.

The price for the day is $35.00 per person, that includes all the entertainment and food.

Hope to see a few of you out there for a good time on Sunday.

GTG

Sounds like fun. What time does it start? Directions for getting there?

Sorry about that.
If you want to go on the hikes I would suggest you be there by 8:00 AM. To get there, basically go to the Peralta trailhead. About 1/4 mile before you get the the Peralta parking lot there is a sign on the left leading to the Dons Camp. Follow that in and park. There will be people to direct you where you need to go for the hikes.

Here's directions for getting there;
Directions to trail: 8.5 miles east of Apache Junction on US 60 turn Left on to FS77 which is Peralta Road. Follow FS77 8 miles to the end which is the Peralta Trailhead. About 1/4 mile before you get to the Peralta parking lot you will see a sign leading to the Dons Camp on the left. Follow the sign up to the parking lot. If you go past the pay station you have gone too far.

GTG

GTG,
I can't make this Sunday, otherwise I'd love to do it. I did the counter-clockwise Cave/Peralta loop a week & 1/2 ago, it was very cool!

So, where is this 'Crematorium'? I must've missed that!!

The 'crematorium' is just outside of the Dons Camp, on the way to the Peralta parking lot.

GTG

I have a call in to Don's hotline to get a ticket and will see ya there!

GTG, you forgot 'Poison rock'! Just hope I don't get lost, let alone remember all the jokes.

Its quite an elaborate facility they have up there. Looks like it will be quite a good time. Some kids were there last Sun, I'm bringing mine. I think they'll have a blast.

Tickets should be available at the gate.

Yeah the Dons Club does have quite the setup out there. They had more stuff out there than I ever imagined. From the Peralta Road it looks like a gate and a dirt parking lot. They have a permanent camp up there complete with bathroom facilities, kitchen, ramadas and picnic tables. The ampitheater is much larger than I imagined as well. From their description it sounds like they will put on a great shindig.

GTG

Recommend you put this on your to-do list for next year. Really fun event, good hiking, good food, excellent entertainment.

Hooli, it was great meeting you and was glad you joined GTG and I - it was a total pleasure.

GTG, as always, enjoyed having your company, just wish you could break away during the week more often to join me. I could always use your set of of 'eyes' on my hikes - folks, this guy doesn't miss a thing!

Sorry I got busy and all, just kind of lost you guys without saying goodbye. Did you stay for the laser light show? I thought it was awesome!

The pleasure was mine, Fritzski.

I left just after the Flags were presented. Figured it took me 1-1/2 hours to get there that morning and if I waited until the show was over I might not get home until the next morning. My pups, who are usually fed by 5:30 each evening, were a little :evil: P.O'd at me when I arrived but got over it in a hurry when I put their food down....you know how that goes!

Sorry I missed it. Have to do better next year.

Hooli, Fritzki, If you had half as good a time as I did, then I know you had a blast. Fritzki, good to see you too, I'm going to have to work on the schedule thing before it gets too hot. Rosemarry from SALT was looking forward to meeting you, did you make it over to their booth? No problem about the family thing, Hooli, Greg from California and I watched the show over in the empty section.

Hooli, great to see you again too. I hope the dogs didn't rip you a new one. We'll put together another hike out there soon. By the way, great idea on the Flora and Fauna page.

I did a little firewood and lighter run for the cast afterwards that turned into quite the adventure. I got a decent picture of the Peralta brothers just before the cars really started filing by on the way out. Speaking of pictures, here's what came out best -
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There's one album in there, just click on it, make sure you look at all 86 of 'em.
I'm going to have to work on that night-shot thing though. Those huge shadows up on that cliff were just too cool. I'll definitely be back next year.

Of course talking with the cast of characters there was great also. Feldman turned out to be a completely diffferent personality than I imagined.

I wonder how many from our group became or will become new HAZ members?

GTG

GTG wrote:I wonder how many from our group became or will become new HAZ members?

GTG

Maybe if they read our posts they'll check in and post a note on this topic. Would be fun to find out. I counted 10 new members signed up yesterday which is probably a high number for a Monday.

How about it Dons Long Hike Trekkers; post a reply to this and say hi!