4th Annual New Year's Day Peak Celebration

[outdoor_lover]

Event Date and Time: January 1st, 2015 9:00 A.M. Location: Margies Peak, Maricopa Mountains, AZ
Hard to believe that the Holidays are almost upon us already! Even harder to believe that this will be the 4th Year for this Event! When I started doing these, I promised that I would cover Peaks in all Four Directions from Town so the same people wouldn't have to drive a long way every time...And I always pick something slightly "out of town" to avoid the Holiday Crowds! The 1st Year was SE, the 2nd was NW, and the Third was NE, so this Year I had to find something in the SW...Not easy for me since I'm unfamiliar with that Area! I enlisted the help of a good Friend and one of HAZ's Experts for that Area (desertboonie) and he came up with one right away that seemed promising, so we went and checked it out last Weekend. Not only was it promising, it was Perfect... Short Mileage, but with Elevation that will get the Blood Pumping and the Peak will offer some Stellar Views of the Maricopas, the Gilas and the Buckeye Hills. There is NO TRAIL...This will be all Off-Trail Hiking like last Year...I drove my Front Wheel Drive SUV and had no Trouble with the Road, or even Parking in the Wash that will be our Start. And if we feel like a Barbecue afterwards, we can either Party right in the Wash or drive a couple of miles further to the Margies Cove TH where there is a Camping Area and a few Picnic Tables.... I did start a Page for this Peak since there will be some triplogs done for it and the Driving Directions for the "TH" are there. http://hikearizona.com/decoder=19589 Hopefully, someone this Year will run a GPS Track and we can turn this into a Full Description. Although a few HAZers have done this one, it hasn't been many, which was another Reason I chose it... If you would like to see Photos of the Area, including Margies Peak, you can view this Photoset that I did from last Weekend. http://hikearizona.com/photoset=32772

If you've already participated in past New Year's Day Hikes, I would love it if you would join us again...If you haven't, you should think about it this time around, it's a lot of fun. And I do try to pick Peaks that most can do, so everyone is welcome and appreciated!

[RowdyandMe]

@Mrs_Bradshaws
Bummer I was looking forward to meeting the better half of the Bradshaws.

[desert_boonie]

I think everyone has a ride, but if anyone needs a ride in from the highway let me know.

[RowdyandMe]

@skillpore
So are you doing this hike or Flat Iron?

[outdoor_lover]

Well the Rain has started, but watching the News and looking at their Forecast Models, we should pretty much be in the clear for Precip, especially since we will be even SW of Phoenix. It will be Cold though I'm betting. For those that haven't done this Event before, make sure you plan for some Down Time on the Peak itself, so dress or bring appropriate clothing for that as well.

I will be bringing a big Cooler and some Water, but if anyone needs to keep any Post Hike Refreshments extra Cold or not Frozen, you are welcome to use it. Might want to think about bringing a Camp chair as well in case we hang out at the bottom for a bit.

@Barrett I'm sure your timing will be fine. I plan on being there about 8:15, picking up Scott (Charger55) and heading on in, but since I'm not as high of a clearance, it will take me a tad longer than your Taco....

I can't really think of anything else, but I will be sending my Phone # via PM in case anyone needs to get a hold of me.... If I recall correctly, there is Service out there.

[FLYING_FLIVER]

@Outdoor Lover
There's excellent cell service atop Margies Pk. "Iffy" service on the way up & down. Have fun and Happy New Year !!

[outdoor_lover]

A huge Thanks for all that participated yesterday! It was a lot of fun! Good to see Old Friends again and meet New Ones...Hopefully you'll all join us next year as well...It's a great way to greet the New Year and I thank you all for celebrating with me....