HikeArizona.COM

By popular demand... or something like that.

September 12-14th, 2014
Santa Maria Mountains
Prescott National Forest - Camp Wood area

Never heard of it? Isn't that half the fun?

This event posting is just for the car-camping social gathering. Participants are free to arrange their own hikes (or not). There are numerous possibilities. Short trails. Longer trails. Connecting routes. Possible loops. Hyde Mountain lookout. Off-trail options. Apache Creek Wilderness. And more. There are even a lot of 4wd roads if you are into that. Some area hikes can be found on this map http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3535 Other options are available.

Driving Directions:
Beginning at Cordes Junction / AZ69 and I-17
Travel AZ69 north for 20.75 miles.
Turn right onto Fain Road. [It's the 4th traffic light in Dewey ... before you get to Prescott Valley. Sign indicates "To AZ89, I-40, Chino Valley, Prescott Airport".]
Travel 18.4 miles to T intersection. [Fain Road turns into Pioneer Parkway and is a divided highway much of the way.]
Turn right onto Williamson Valley Road.
Travel 19.5 miles on Williamson Valley Road. Watch your speed. This road is very well patrolled.
Turn left onto Camp Wood Road (dirt).
Travel 15.4 miles on Camp Wood Rd. [The first 5-6 miles is smooth. The road condition deteriorates as the miles go on.]
Turn right onto FR95. The sign for "Merritt Spring" across the street is bigger and brighter than the sign for FR95.
Travel 0.4 miles on FR95 to and turn left into FR95C. HAZFest site is 200 yards up the road. FR95 is a rough dirt road and caution is required when driving.
Map with downloadable GPS tracks here> http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3553
You may find this location using Google Maps by searching "County Road 68 & Forest Service 95 Rd, Prescott, Arizona 86305"
The site is now 1mile short (west) of the marked location at the end of the GPS track. A reflective "camp chumley" sign marks the turn at FR95 and 95C.

I have made this trip in under 2.5 hours from Tempe.
60 min from Tempe to Cordes Junction
20 min from I-17 to Fain Road
20 min from Fain Road to Williamson Valley Rd
20 min from Williamson Valley Rd to Camp Wood Rd
30 min from Camp Wood Rd to HAZFest (This portion WILL take others much longer. I drive fast on dirt roads).

If you are coming from the west valley it may be shorter to go through Wickenburg. From Flagstaff it's quicker to take I-40 west to Ash Fork, and then south on AZ89

This area is popular with hunters, but deer and bear hunts close on September 11 so I don't anticipate seeing a lot hunting activity.

While there is currently some water flowing in creeks and streams in this area, I expect that by next month, things will dry out somewhat.
The elevation is about 5700 feet, and while weather can't be determined at this time, the normal/average for mid-September is 80-85° for daytime highs, and 40-45° for night time lows. Or what people like me call "absolutely perfect!"

Everybody is welcome. There are no restrictions.
But, please respect fellow attendees. I wouldn't personally bring children since we tend to stay up late and make a bit of noise. Dogs are welcomed as long as you can control them and they don't bother people or other dogs. Common sense things.

Disclaimer:
Nothing is provided. This is dispersed camping in the middle of a national forest. There are no restrooms, no water, nothing. Bring what you need. You are responsible for yourself. Bring your own food, shelter, etc. You are responsible for taking your own trash back home with you. There is no trash service here. Access is via a 15-mile dirt road that is sedan accessible. High clearance is preferred, but not necessary, especially if you are accustomed to driving your vehicle on forest roads. If this isn't something you normally do, proceed at your own risk. I take no responsibility for your vehicle, the drive, or anything that happens to you or your property while getting to/from, or at HAZfest. You are on your own.

A fire will be built, maintained, and safely extinguished. Everything else is up to you.

I hope to see you there!

Please post comments or questions in this thread, or PM me directly and I will gladly respond.

Please post comments or questions in this thread

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

I never realized how close that is to Flagstaff and Williams!

I probably can't be there, due to work, but sure enjoyed your "be responsible for yourself" intro! Tell it like it is! No garbage pickup folks, and yes, you may have to drive on a bumpy road. Oh, and if you have to poop, be sure to dig a nice deep hole. If you can't deal with pooping in the woods, don't show up! Everyone is welcome EXCEPT namby pambies, wusses, prima donnas, whiners, complainers, (well, Chums has to be there, but otherwise, no complainers) fuss-budgets, or fearful fastidions (I made that word up. Like it? People who are fearful of getting dirty, too fastidious...)

Geez, I get it, I won't be there.

See Chums... you don't have to name names

azbackpackr wrote:Everyone is welcome EXCEPT namby pambies, wusses, prima donnas, whiners, complainers, (well, Chums has to be there, but otherwise, no complainers) fuss-budgets, or fearful fastidions (I made that word up. Like it? People who are fearful of getting dirty, too fastidious...)

I don't think I put any qualifiers on the welcome. Just information of what to expect if you do come. All of the above are welcome too. Even the made up ones. Just don't expect anybody else to care, that's all.

Have fun! (Or not, depending on what makes you happier).

Needless to say, should he attend, I will relinquish all responsibility of fire-building and maintenance to His Excellency, Sir Nonot the Combustible. :worthy:

I'm hatching a plot. The odds are long at the moment, but they could improve next week.

@big_load
I hope it works out. Would be great to meet you in person!

@chumley
I hope so, too. It looks like a fun group.

@chumley Chumley said and I quote "A fire will be built, maintained, and safely extinguished. Everything else is up to you."
Are the USFS air tankers going to be put on standby for this event? :whistle:

My sister is in charge of ordering tankers and other aircraft for wildland fires... should I tell her to have one available??

I think we should be ok. That area has received over 2" of rain in the past week, so I think we will be able to keep things in check even if it doesn't rain again.

I can see Inciweb now... the "HAZ Fire" does have a certain ring to it. Joe would be so proud.

Maybe just the Bartels Fire? :sorrry:

Or the Jim_H_ealthy Forest Management Fire.

My votes on "Jim_H_ealthy Forest Management Fire"
No Duff and 2 trees per square mile!

@The Eagle

2 trees per square mile

I believe we call that a desert ;)

friendofThundergod wrote:I believe we call that a desert

You are right, that's what WE call it.

Let's not misrepresent things. He is on the record supporting 5 or 6 trees per acre.
viewtopic.php?p=39068#p39068