Hoffmaster will be lonely....

[Hoffmaster]

... but only this coming weekend.

I have this coming weekend free and I'm trying to decide what to do. Anyone up for an adventure? Here's what I'm thinking: any trail on Mt Graham, but more specifically the Ash Creek Trail #307, Clark Peak Trail #301 and the Deadman-Highline Trail #325. This could be a backpacking trip, or car camping. If car camping it would be cool to knock out several of the shorter distance trails on Mt Graham and there are a lot to chose from. Warning: I will want to photograph like crazy, so the pace won't be too intense.

Another idea: Head up to Willow Beach along the Colorado River just downstream of the Hoover Dam to fish for stripers and look for big horn sheep. It will be HOT here, but there's always the river to cool off in. I have a cheap 4-person raft and 2 paddles if you're into doing stupid things; although the river is reasonably calm here. The stripers are feeding heavily on stocked rainbow trout right now, so the fishing could be out of control.

Ooh! Here's another good idea: Head up to Winslow Wall, East Clear Creek, for a weekend of rock climbing and/or deep water soloing. If you don't know what that is then this isn't the trip for you. But it doesn't hurt to try new things (but in this case it might... hurt, that is.) There's also Chevelon Canyon to explore outside of Winslow as well.

I am free after 6pm on Friday. Hit me up if you want to go, or have a better idea.

[fairweather8588]

Sent you a pm, I'll be taking photographs like crazy this weekend as well

[azbackpackr]

I'm riding the Railroad Grade Trail on my mtn. bike this weekend. If you want to change your plans, that is, Matt! Couple other peeps going. Not sure if Sat. or Sun. Anyone welcome. Intermediate level ride, 16 miles total.

[Hoffmaster]

Ok guys... fairweather8588 is the winner!

Preston, Mt. Graham is on my super-duper short list. I'll pm you when I'm heading there to see if you can join me. azbackpackr, Liz and I need to get the roof rack back on the car. We've been neglecting our mtn bikes this summer. I was just telling her that yesterday. Thanks for the invitation though. Liz and I are doing the Bucket of Blood bike race on August 16th. It's near the south entrance of the Petrified Forest. I think it's more fun than competition. You should check it out.

[azbackpackr]

I will--it's not too far away, and I have that weekend free. I'm doing Epic Rides Tour of the White Mtns. again if I'm still on the mtn. on Oct. 4. It's fun, has both technical and non-technical choices of rides. I like to ride the 30+ mile non-technical--it has both single track and dirt roads. Fun, but not scary.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, rats, Bucket of Blood is for road bikes. I don't have a road bike--yet. And I'm not interested in riding my mtn. bike along a highway! Too slow! Although, come to think of it I do have some slicks I can put on it. I'd never win, though! I'll tell some friends of mine about it, though. It sure is hard to find out about it. I had to wade through the Holbrook city website, which had no info, then wade through the Holbrook Chamber website, where you had to click on this and that and the other thing in order to get to the order form and map. Typical small town website, they hardly ever update it. Same as the one in Eagar. The webmaster there probably does double-duty as the dogcatcher or something.....

[Hoffmaster]

My fiancée (look, I got it right this time!) is going to ride slicks on her mtn bike. Don't let that hold you back. Besides, she'll need someone to ride with, because I'll be on a sweet road bike destroying everyone (except for the people who will beat me, which will be mostly everyone.).

[te_wa]

wish I could join you guys on a Mt Graham hike. I just got in from Chicago and I still have a giant sore blister so no hiking for me!

[Hoffmaster]

No worries Mike. We're headed to Monument Valley anyway. I want to hike Mt Graham soon though.