HikeArizona.COM

Edit: For Updated Info See top of page 7 of this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6530&p=78295#p78295
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So I went to this squirrel party and met a few HAZers.. I want to know when we all are getting together for some camping event. Not to mentiom; it's about time our friend AZPride takes a rope to the top.. How about Cochise?! -- hiking maybe climbing, car camping in style? (My car camping still includes cooking on a fire and sleeping in a tent.)

A reunion! Count me in if I-17 is passable. Should I bring another chocolate cake for the birthday people?

I'm still interested. I've got some nice pecan firewood I can bring to contribute. Burns hot and long (if only I could find a man that did the same lol!).

So, is this going to be an overnighter?

Excuse me but where and when is this going to be. I got lost between the squirrel and the fork in the road! I'd like to be there.

;)

It will be an overnighter. Actually two overnighters. The current plan is for Cochise, but we are basically waiting until the last minute to decide based on weather conditions. If it's gonna be too cold there we might do it somewhere else. But for now, that's the plan.

Count me in for this one. It will be nice to meet some other fellow HAZers.

I'm excited for this... *ahem* I'm thinking we will need to have a planner's meeting at Boulders.. soonish.. ;)

juliachaos wrote:I'm thinking we will need to have a planner's meeting at Boulders.. soonish..

I'm thinking you're right. If we intend to do a Pot Luck on Saturday Night then we are either going to have to plan it online or over a Beer! I vote for over a Beer (or some really good alternative for us non Beer drinkers...). Where's our fearless leader? chumley?

I'm on a mandated haz vacation/exile more than 2000 miles away. When my sentence is over and I return from the land of irritating people with terrible accents and the worst sports affiliations, I will be happy to get the planning going! In the meantime, commiserate with me and root against anything Jets, Giants, or Patriots. (I would include Eagles but they've pretty much done themselves in without help).

@chumley So when are you back to the world of the living?

So when is this? January something or another??

@oliverr99 January 14 and 15. It's on the Event Calendar as Cochise Stronghold.

still contemplating attendance on this event. If ya'll do get together to plan potluck dinners or anything else for this event, I will not be able to attend as I live down in Tucson.

I would possibly have 2 seats available for carpool and gear from Tucson in a 4 door 4x4 truck.

I just want to add a few things:
-This place is a nice casual setting.
-It has a magical feeling that can easily be captured by any camera.
-The stars are amazing!
-There aren't bathrooms or running water but other than that it's very car camper friendly.
-It is fairly easy terrain- Middle March Road- is just long and dirt but there are even school bus stop signs-
then you turn onto another road that is still mild for a dirt road. (I have no trouble getting my little Honda Accord in)
-We will probably setting up top ropes at sweet rock for climbing but I think many folks could also enjoy hiking to the top of
Sheepshead.
-There are many great people that are part of HAZ. I think it would be really fun if we all got together!

Merry Christmas!! : rein :

OKAY- I need to talk to chumley because I was thinking we were going to the "Isle of Ewe" area off Middlemarch road. The directions linked to this hike state something different. I guess this just means we have a few options but I really like this particular area- no fees but no running water either.

Call me old fashion but a potluck seem complicated.. My vote is to just bring you own stuff and maybe a bit extra to share. I am open to anything though.

Getting There

From Tucson, had east on I-10 to exit #303 (Tombstone/Bisbee). Turn right (south) on Arizona Highway 80 and drive for about 20 miles. Just before Tombstone, turn left onto Middlemarch Road. Follow this gravel road for almost ten miles to Forest Road 687. Make a left, towards the West Stronghold and follow this dirt road another two miles north. Make a final right turn on a dirt road that leads to a circular parking area.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1953 - SOUTH TRAIL HEAD

I didn't know that Middlemarch was a HAZ hike when I selected Cochise. I'm all for Isle of Ewe. I think that was always the plan. But I still have some potential reservations about the weather/temperature, so the forecast needs some attention in the next couple of weeks. Normally I'd like winter storms, but for this event, I'd be happy with a big, warm dome of high pressure.

Is everyone dead set on that date? I just found out I have to work that Saturday til noon. It would still be fine for me for saturday afternoon and Sunday but it would be great I people wouldnt mind 1 weekend earlier. Either way I'm in..

@Hikergirl81 Ouch! Don't know if I can cancel my vacation and still book for a weekend earlier. That weekend might already be taken by someone else and then I'd just be out of luck. It's also getting close to the cut off date where I can request it...May not be able to swing the weekend before.

As far as the Potluck goes, it's not that hard, I've done a lot of them for the Bass Club. You just have to be able to trust that people will bring what they say and/or not cancel on you. ;)

Nope the original date is fine! I am good to go! I got someone to cover!! Now I hope the weather cooperates!

Ok, here's a HAZ map to the site for anybody who doesn't know where we are talking about. We should begin to get a reasonable idea of the weather by this time next week, and a final go/no-go decision by Monday, January 9th. I'm rooting for a some good rain/snow between now (looking very unlikely) and then but a nice warming trend starting around the 11th or 12th.

http://hikearizona.com/map.php?MY=936&M=3

For those interested, there are two remote weather stations in the general area and both have showed recent temperatures of about 50-60 for the daytime highs, and lows in the mid-20s. But any temps in the 30s and 20s have only been occurring between midnight and 7am, so anything below 40 should only occur when you are snug and warm in a sleeping bag.