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As of August 19th, we've filled the five permitted slots for this trip (cross-posted on two other sites...). Day Hikers are very welcome! Feel free to sign up as long as you understand this. Should there be a cancellation or change, I'll post as soon as possible.


Planning a 5-day excursion to Royal Arch via Pt. Huitzil. Don't have the permits in hand just yet but figure it's best to plan ahead ...

For those of you familiar with this hike, it's a rare opportunity to reach the less-traveled Western side. Planning on leaving sometime between the last week of September and the middle of October. We'd leave Wednesday and drive to the trail head where we’ll car camp to get an early start on Thursday. Check out the HAZ triplogs if you're curious about what's in store.

More details to follow once we’ve nailed down dates and gotten some interested parties… If you have an interest in going, sign up and PM me! Especially welcome are those with climbing experience (I'm not an avid climber...).

BE ADVISED: This is among the toughest hikes in the canyon. It requires a short (20ft) rappel; you must be comfortable negotiating steep slopes, exposed rock faces and other obstacles (no problem for HAZ folks!).

@azbackpackr
There's no need to leave a car at S. Bass, you can just walk the 3 miles back to the vehicle at Pasture Wash on the last day and hope that it hasn't rained to make the road mucky.

If the event goes forward in Sept. I am out.

@Rob del Desierto
It's almost in October... ;)

Lol. Fall break is in October. Almost in October is the end of the term, so that means it is super busy for me...

azbackpackr wrote:How much actual rock climbing is there?

I'd say no real climbing - but plenty of scrambling. There is the one spot on the Huitzil route where we found it easier to use a hand line going down, but I don't think that Chris really felt it was necessary, since he scrambled up and down it like four times. It's just a little exposed, and the handline definitely makes having the pack on more comfortable...

I can definitely see myself appreciating a handline. A friend of mine said that on one of his trips there a gal fell on the Moki steps and got a bit hurt, so they had to abort their trip (not bad enough to call the chopper, though.)

There will be no falling on this trip...

Hey Guys (and Gals...)!

Got the team together for this gig. Should be an eclectic group (as usual...). Just wanted to say that for those of you who had expressed an interest in day-hiking the Pt. Huitzil portion... Come on Down!! I'd love the opportunity to hike with you (even Joe and Bob!). Besides the exhilarating company, your experience with the route would be highly valued as well...

Give it some thought?

I'll probably join you for the Pt Huitzil part as long as i can get that day off work. I've done it a few times but it would be fun to go with a group.

Hike hike hike every day. Elden today, if I have the time--I just got a sometimes-part-time-on-call sort of a job. Humphreys sometime in the next few days if the weather improves, and if I have the time. I didn't hike much all spring and early summer, did some biking.

My main issue is lung capacity. My leg muscles are stronger than my wind. Working out at a high elevation is a good way to build that up, though. I cannot run, like Paul does. I love cycling, though. I'm sticking with hiking for the time being because cycling doesn't help me much with hiking, I have discovered. I keep pushing my limits on the breathing, too. If I'm not getting winded, I hike faster.

I would love to join you. I have done this hike twice in recent years. I am not young, just turned 65 and not nearly as spry as I once was. That said my feelings will not be hurt if you opt for younger sprier folks.
Smiles--mp

Hey Mary--are you going on this? I don't know of anyone named Bob who's going, though. I hear you got your river trip this year. I did, too, and we flipped in Lava! Our mutual friend, MC, was the boatman!

Elizabeth--I thought someone said Bob--what is the right name?

For anyone interested in coming along on this trek, as of August 19th, we've filled the five permitted slots (cross-posted on two other sites...). Day Hikers are very welcome! Feel free to sign up as long as you understand this. Should there be a cancellation or change, I'll post as soon as possible. Please PM me if you're interested in doing the whole five days (or have any questions); HAZ members get first shot at open slots!

Paul (aka PLC92084)

Not the Monsoon Thread but...

Looks like rain in our AO! If nature cooperates, and the timing is decent, we may get water along our route; won't have to carry as much! That would be refreshing...

It don't make me no nevermind, cuz I was fixin' on stickin' all my canteens in your pack anyway! ;)

azbackpackr wrote:My main issue is lung capacity.

I've HEARD you on the trail girlfriend...

Not an issue.....

Have fun on this one! Coming up soon now!

Can't wait! I've been doing a lot of short steep hikes, and a few long ones, to prepare for it. But for the next week I have to hit the books, hard, so I don't get behind in my classes while I am gone.

Liz... bring all your books with you, plenty of time for homework at night !