51 mile Highline trail hike in mid April

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Mar 28 2007 9:22 am

Who is up for a 51 mile thru hike of the Highline Trail #31 that runs along the base of the Mogollon Rim. There is a car shuttle needed and its best to start at the 260 t.h. and go West to the Pine t.h.
I have done this in 2 days, it is quite possible but 3 days is easier on yer dogs. Some interesting things to see along this trail and it has several perennial water sources, temps in mid April to be in the 70/30 range. A food drop might make it easier if there are going to be a larger turnout, which Im hoping for. What do YOU think?

fairweather8588 · Post by **fairweather8588** » Mar 28 2007 11:34 am

Boy howdy it'll be a rockin time. Anyone?

Dschur · Post by **Dschur** » Mar 28 2007 4:09 pm

In response to fairweather8588's reply: Just to let you know that there will be a run on that trail on the 28th of April. The Zane Grey 50 http://zanegrey50.com/.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Mar 28 2007 5:11 pm

I'd be down for it, if it's the weekend of the 21st-22nd or later. I vote for a 2 day trip.

sjderis · Post by **sjderis** » Mar 28 2007 5:18 pm

I could be persuaded if I could bum a slacker ride with some one up to the trailhead...Just knock me up for gas money and Im there...

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Mar 28 2007 5:28 pm

yes Dawn is right, there is the big 50 mile race. Im actually training for that race, that is why I want to do the hike in early April. (yeah right!!

)
anybody up for matt's dates? 2 days sounds good too, 25 miles a day is doable, takes about 8 hrs per day.

wallyfrack · Post by **wallyfrack** » Mar 28 2007 6:58 pm

I know I could do the 21st - 22nd. This is the same weekend as Desert Tarheel's event. Maybe we could get him interested.

fairweather8588 · Post by **fairweather8588** » Mar 29 2007 9:31 am

Mark me down, the annual 2-day highline trip is back on. I got room for one in my jeep if needed

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Mar 29 2007 12:57 pm

Just returned from my second thruhike of the highline as chance would have it. I did Sat-Tues, and it just about killed me at that pace. I think you guys doing it in two days are nuts

Don't even get me started on those Zane Grey 50 lunatics

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Mar 29 2007 3:24 pm

Im thinking we better get an early start so camping Friday night at the 260 trailhead is a good idea. Im also considering a food/water cache at the exact mid-point, the start of Hells Gate canyon off FR 144. Maybe we can get Kurt to bring us some brownies

The trail maintenace and prep crew for the Zane Grey 50 lunatics will be hangin yellow ribbons at all the intersections and along the confusing spots. As Andrew will confess, there are some of those for sure. So maybe those ribbons will be in place a week early. As Lizard implied, this is a long trail so if you dont feel completely confident in making 25 miles a day- just consider your feet-you can always bail out early and hitch a ride back to Pine. There are numerous exit points along the trail that will take you to the 260 in a matter of minutes. Its actually not very hard, you just have to accept that a trail of this length is a 90% mental challenge. Other than that, lets saddle up and kick this things arse...

now who's with me?!

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Mar 29 2007 3:43 pm

I can't believe I want to do this.......yes I can.

fairweather8588 · Post by **fairweather8588** » Mar 29 2007 3:54 pm

Lizard wrote:Just returned from my second thruhike of the highline as chance would have it. I did Sat-Tues, and it just about killed me at that pace. I think you guys doing it in two days are nuts

Don't even get me started on those Zane Grey 50 lunatics

This trail definitly needs to be rocked again.

As for a food cache, that'd be cool, don't know if it'd be a necessity. Last time all I ate was clif bars anyways.... :roll:

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Mar 29 2007 5:05 pm

oh, dang- did I say f-o-o-d??
I meant to say b-e-e-r

fairweather8588 · Post by **fairweather8588** » Mar 29 2007 5:43 pm

:bigth:

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Mar 29 2007 6:54 pm

I thought a beer cache was mandatory?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Mar 29 2007 7:02 pm

Ahhh, the ol' dry ice beer-cache. Better get ya one a them professional cache-ers. Oh this is a whole new spin on geo-caching, now it's personal

Davis2001r6 · Post by **Davis2001r6** » Mar 31 2007 8:42 pm

Wish I could but will be doing the Cactus to Clouds hike in CA around then. That one is still on my list!

fairweather8588 · Post by **fairweather8588** » Apr 03 2007 10:46 am

Also, to go along with the carpool, we should gear-pool too. I'd say only one stove and one filter... Or I could just bring along my aqua mira.

By the way, I dig the new format for events

tkknc · Post by **tkknc** » Apr 03 2007 5:20 pm

Which weekend did you decide for this event?

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Apr 03 2007 6:27 pm

here ya go, Ken...
What: Highline trail thru-hike, 51 miles long
When: April 21-22 sat, sun
Where: 260 trailhead is 30 miles east of Payson,
Pine trailhead is 1 mile south of Pine.
How: this hike requires a shuttle.
Why: a challenging hike you must add to your list!

addtl... storms can and will suddenly roll off the Rim and onto YOU. Please prepare with at least a wind shirt and a shelter. Meadow crashing is optional-at your risk. We will be watching the weather before departure. April is a very low precip month, so chances for sunshine are most likely, bring a nice hat. Prepare for 7-8 hours of hiking including breaks, in an average day.

There is a 4x4 road leading to the halfway point of the trail where you can cache belongings (or your whole pack, for that matter) but stashing all of your gear kinda defeats the purpose of this trip.
I considered a "beverage" cache, but then thought better of it because this hike is best done without a hangover ( :!: )

After the hike we can celebrate with post death-march activities such as sipping a micro or imported brew from the Rimside Grille in Pine. I have met the owner, Steve, and he is a cool guy.

Get IN here! youre going to love it!
and dont forget to add yourself to the list so we know if you are man (or woman) enough!