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Deer Creek/Thunder River Loop, October 28th to 30th. First night at Deer Creek and second night at Upper Tapeats. Total mileage is around 26 over 3 days. So far there's 3 of us (Preston, Joe, Me) going but I'd like to add 1 or 2 more. The catch is you need to have a vehicle that can get to the trailhead.

Nice route, and a good time of year for it. Have fun!

@Dave1
I'll be on the river, but I'm not sure what date we'll probably hike the loop up Tapeats Creek, across Surprise Valley and down Deer Creek. At least, my group is planning to hike the loop. I've been nursing a metatarsal stress fracture. So, I will hike it if I can. Anyway, if you see any river rats on the trail, you can ask if they're from my crew.

I'm interested in this. I imagine you're starting at Monument Point not Indian Hollow? Are you heading to the trailhead Thursday? So Joe does overnights after all.

not much, 11 out of 3200 hikes or 0.0034%

@rcorfman
I could do either trailhead. Whatever the group wants. Cranberry Route could be an option too. Or the middle fork of upper Deer Creek.
We should leave Phoenix early Friday morning.

Ok, I'm down for this and my daughter would like to join the party too. She's 23 and should be okay. She's not as fit as she'd like but she has light gear and should manage. So for her, my preference would be down/up Bill Hall Trail to shorten the distance. With that, there's still about 10 miles to Deer Creek plus the drive. It will be a long day.

Do we meet somewhere to carpool?

Wish I could join you. My trip there last year was definitely a highlight of my outdoors experience. A magical place.

@Dave1
Originally you asked for one or two more, but it's looking like three now. I know some of the campsites at Upper Tapeats aren't all that big. I don't know what they are like at Deer Creek though. Is six too many? Not sure how many you have on your permit now but figure this should be figured out before its changed. If six is too many, my daughter and I can step aside though I'd like to know sooner than later since she's a stylist and would like to know whether she can schedule clients for that weekend or not.

@fan3992
If Dave1 is okay with six, then I think it would be good for us to carpool and you'd be welcome to join my daughter and me. We live near I-17 and Happy Valley Rd.

@rcorfman
The permit I have is for five but I can call the BCO this week and see if they'll let me add one more. I have the group permit and the group permit for that use area is supposed to allow up to six, as I understand it. Are you still "interested" or are you ready to commit?

@Dave1
Yes, we are planning on going. I talked to my daughter this morning and she wants to do this. I'll definitely pay you our fair share of the permit cost no matter the final number of us that actually go.

Thanks for offering this!

What is the route we are going to hike? I can find out to download to my GPS. Thx.

@Dave1
I'm looking at dates, river miles, etc.Still thinking there's a good chance we'll be there when you are. We'll be four round rafts, two catarafts and 4 kayaks. Still don't think I'll be hiking much, foot still hurts. The rest of my crew hiking the loop up Tapeats, across Surprise & down Deer.

@fan3992
It should look similar to this one:

http://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=25256

@azbackpackr I will keep an eye out for you and your crew. Have not seen you in years, Elizabeth!

@PrestonSands
That would be fun!

@Dave1
Thx.

@Dave1
@PrestonSands
@joebartels
I saw Frankie (VolcanoCLMBR) at Deer Creek Patio on Sat. Oct. 29. He and his pals had not seen your group, but said they would say "hi" from me if they did. I had a wonderful river trip. 24 days, lots of adventures. Did you see them?

@azbackpackr
we crossed paths with several large groups, expected to see Frankie but didn't