HikeArizona.COM

Howdy HAZers...

I have a permit (8) and am planning an over-nighter out at Cape Solitude (eastern Grand Canyon Rim) on SATURDAY - 10/6.

Committed hikers should plan on 15-16 miles ONE WAY ((w/no water & dry camping)-however; the more peeps we get, the more caching we can do!! )

Should be some tremendous sunset/sunrise canyon viewings of confluence area and Chuar Valley.

Friday night will camp at "Desert View Campground" for a reasonably early start on Saturday.

Howdy All....I just posted a description and triplog/photos for my Comanche Point weekend getaway...check it out.

My goal with the Comanche Point trip was to check out the area and get a feel for our CS trip...it's a very cool area out there, can't wait to see the views!!

We easily got a Desert View campsite by 6:30pm...but they were filling up as the Friday evening closed. I hope to get a campsite or two around the same time (6:30ish) for our trip.
The rules say this..."Limit of six persons; two tents; two-vehicles or one RV/Travel Trailer per site." - but we set up 3 tents and weren't questioned...
My site was only $6 bucks w/NPS Access pass....we'll need 2 or 3 sites I'm guessing. Plan on car camping that first night.

The biggest concern I foresee is getting to the trailhead....I highly recommend we drive DOWN the hill to the trailhead. At least that is my intention (and I can take two others w/packs)...otherwise, it tacks on about 2-2.5 extra hiking miles, all UPHILL on the day we come out...

My 4 cylc - '87-4Runner made it w/o problem...but it was GNARLY and I had to use 4Low to get out!! Was worried about my tires more than anything as the tread is well worn....
John I know you have a sweet JEEP...but it's all shiny and new....thoughts? Ready to break that baby in???
Hippy/Vince, I don't think you should try in your Subaru.
Anyone else have an acceptable vehicle?

The other concern is water...I took 2 gallons with me to Comanche (which is only 1/2 way out) but could have used more....
My current plan is to use my 100oz bladder on day 1, and haul in another gallon in my pack...
I think we should also cache a gallon or two around the midway point (or 1/3 and 2/3 points out)...volunteers?

I zoomed in on Google Earth and I wouldn't count on any trees for hammocks at the point...

This should be a great trip....if needed, I can call and extend to max of 10 of I need too...I figured 8 would be enough...but I'm really stoked that everyone is coming!!

Larry, are you talking about a different trailhead compared to the GPS track below? Will it be a shorter hike? The track below starts near Desert View and is 15 miles one way and that's what I'm preparing for. I'm curious about the road you took. I don't mind breaking in the jeep as long as it's within reason. Do you have the GPS track for your Comanche hike?

http://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=131

@John9L

You've had that pumpkin jeep for a year now, my friend. If you don't hurry up and "break it in", I'm gonna steal it and do it myself. I know where you live. I'm pumpkin serious, bro!

Tough_Boots wrote:@John9L

You've had that pumpkin jeep for a year now, my friend. If you don't hurry up and "break it in", I'm gonna steal it and do it myself. I know where you live. I'm pumpkin serious, bro!

I also saw you put it in 4-lo to drive through a mud puddle that a honda made it through
pretty sure it needs a little more love than that!

Hey John...yeah that's the route..but it starts at the top of the hiil....

Start at that route and follow down a bit to were it makes a sharp right turn...then heads east....then abruptly heads north....that should be our starting point IMHO...bout the 3.6 mile pt. on that route.

I have access to high-clearance 4wd if we need one, but I'd rather leave it at home as it gets crappy mpg, and my Subaru is much more comfortable for me (though it sounds like too much for Bu).

Checked out from the North Rim this weekend - looked like such an awesome hike. I hope that I can keep you with y'all (remember I'm no speed demon).

I agree that we should cache water for the hike out - it's going to be hot and hard carry enough for a trip like this. Maybe we can rig a sled

Whatever you do, don't overload Larry... He needs to be in decent shape for our trip!

@John9L in the jeep right? this will be good. let's discuss this carpool madness in a week or so when we're all settled in!

Whats the carpool situation coming from PHX? im thinking about asking for half day off work friday, is this good enough or should i try to get a full day off?

Ideally, we'll need two campsites hopefully next to each other...They are only 6 bucks a night if you have a Parks Pass (I do, I know John does also)...

Whomever get's there first should be responsible for getting us a couple near each other...

Earlier Friday the better...says I.

I'll be glad to shuttle 1 or 2 peeps from Flagstaff (can park at my house if needed) in my (very uncomfortable) '87 4-Runner....but I probably won't leave Flagstaff till like 3-4pm-ish - hoping to get to DV around 5:00. Would be sweet if we had 2 campsites before then...

John, Frank, Vince, I believe now is the time to dicuss carpooling. I can take fri/sat/sun off easily enough and pick up Vince after work, just depends on what time he is off and if he will need to go back home or what...

Hi Wendy,

will you drive for this trip? I saw you on the list.

Fan

I will drive myself up - I have some business that I have to attend to on the South Rim for a couple of days after the hike.

What is the situation with the 4wd vehicles? Are we going to have enough to get us all out to the trailhead?

How much water is everyone bringing? Am I right in thinking 300 oz will be sufficient? This doesn't include cooking water.

I'm planning on 7 liters...so around 250oz. I'm going to experiment with a 'cookless' camp this time - everything will be good without cooking or extra water (which means that it'll be heavier than my normal meals by a few oz). I figure it's probably the perfect trip for that kind of thing. I'll carry 2-3 of those liters in a container to be stashed on the way in (depending on weather).

I need a ride or drive up to Flagstaff to ride with some one to the trailhead due to I don't have 4 wheels.

Fan3992 wrote:I need a ride or drive up to Flagstaff to ride with some one to the trailhead due to I don't have 4 wheels.

Talk to Hippy she is coordinating the carpool from Phoenix.

@writelots That was my intention also.

Okay, I don't know how many people we can fit in John's jeep, it's a big jeep but not that big,
There are 4 of us total in the jeep already (Goyaah, myself, John & VolcanoClmbr). With all our bags and stuff it'd be very cramped for a very long ride haha sorry i don't know if we can fit you in Fan!!

I don't think will have room for me in the jeep.

Hi John, could your jeep can hold 5 people?

Fan3992 wrote:Hi John, could your jeep can hold 5 people?

I'm sorry to say I think it will be too much having five people with all the gear in my jeep driving all the way up to the canyon from Phx. However we should be able to squeeze you in for the 4x4 road that goes from Desert View to the trailhead. I believe that section is 3.5 miles. So if you can drive your car to Desert View, I'm sure we can get you to the trailhead.