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Keet Seel - 5/31/13 - 6/2/13
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Hikngrl
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PostPosted: 2/7/2013, 3:15 pm    Post subject: Keet Seel - 5/31/13 - 6/2/13 Reply with quote

Keet Seel - May 31st - June 2nd

(Optional June 2nd hike to Betatakin and/or a side-trip to a "Special" place)



This is an overnight backpacking trip to one of the most pristine ruin sites in the desert Southwest. Only 20 visitors per day are allowed to visit the ruins. We have a permit for 10 people. We hike out as a group Saturday morning, and visit the ruins with the ranger that stays on-site.

The hike down from Navajo National Monument NP is about 8 miles through some of the most beautiful country you'll find in Arizona.

The trail looks to be of "moderate" difficulty which, of course depends upon your ability.

You'll lose about 800 feet in elevation in the first 3/4 mile, which is good news on the way there, bad news on the way back! The rest of the hike out has about 400 feet of gain in one area, followed by a 300 foot descent and a slow incline of 400 feet the rest of the way to the site.

Here's the plan:

* Arrive Friday night, May 31st.
* Pick a campsite in Sunset View campground (this one has a bathroom & water, but no showers)
* Form up as a group on Saturday morning, 8:00AM sharp to hear the mandatory instructions from one of the park Rangers.
* Hike as a group to Keet Seel. We are all on 1 permit. We must hike together.
* Set up camp at the Keet Seel camping area.
* Take Ranger-led hike to the ruins. They take small groups of 5-7 people at a time. The trip lasts bout an hour.
* Explore the area.
* Have our evening feast and improvised campfire (no actual fires permitted!).
* Breakfast feast Sunday morning.
* Form up as a group at 9:00AM for the hike back to our vehicles.

I suggest that participants get there Friday night and camp in one of the two FREE campgrounds. I have obtained the permit for 10 people for the hike to the ruins on Saturday morning. We must all hike as a group. Please sign up early and be assured of a permit slot.

You'll need to take all water with you that you'll require for the hike down, camping, and the hike out. There is a stream that runs through the valley but it's fouled by the cattle and sheep that roam the area. Heavy metals are also present in the stream.

The only cost for the trip are your expenses to and from Navajo National Monument (carpooling strongly suggested) and your food/beverages.

There are 2 campgrounds in the park (Sunset view-has a bathroom and water, Canyon View is primitive); both of which are FREE!

Since we should be back relatively early Sunday, there's a Ranger-led hike down to Betatakin that you may enjoy That's also an option for anyone that wants to come up, but not go on the overnight to Keet Seel. Navajo National Monument isn't too far from Monument Valley, so that's another possible side-trip.

In addition, for anyone that would like to stop by one of the most interesting (and by interesting I mean a place unlike any you've likely seen anywhere else!) and beautiful places in Arizona, we can take a side-trip on the way back. (It's not the place that I took some of you on the previous Keet Seel excursion, although we can stop there also!!!)

Here's a link to the NP website for general information about the park : http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm
 
Hikngrl
Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'




Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 5578
Location: Peoria, AZ

PostPosted: 5/25/2013, 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

OK, we are confirmed for a group of six to include Me, Ambika, Guru, David and Hank and Mike. Almost missed Mike! Let the preperation begin!

So Let's talk car pool! I want to leave early Friday and you all know I live in the west valley.... I have my little red truck that carries only two and gear with no cover on the back of the truck. Hank and I are plannning on carpooling as far as I know.... details have not been ironed out yet. Anyone else in for carpooling. Now is the time to coordinate it!

I know Ambika and Guru are driving up Sat AM. Hike time is working out to be 0700 Sat AM. I want to be in the park early enough to go to the Fri.1500 orientation so we can just take off Sat AM.

Jump in here people!
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Hikngrl
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PostPosted: 5/25/2013, 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Also, I do not have the knowlege of the area to be able to plan any side trips for Sun prior to returning home. ( I know Ken had something planned) So if anyone wants to jump in and coordinate something please feel free! Now is a good time to get that discussion going if anyone is interested!
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chihiggs





Joined: 03 Jan 2003
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Location: Gilbert, AZ

PostPosted: 5/25/2013, 10:04 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Thank you for getting me in at the last second Diane!

I would be willing to car pool. My car is a Saturn, no A/C but reasonable can fit gear and two others--3 if we pack light; that said I am willing to use it for car pool or jump in with someone an contribute gas/driving or I can zip up solo. I am fine with any of those options.

As for the area, I too am ignorant of the surrounding cool stuff. What is that Beatnik place? Is that nearby?

Food--another thing to think about is whether we want to set-up a food list as a group or bring our own--which we end up sharing anywho Laughing I will go which ever way works best for all involved.

So darn excited as this is a hike I have wanted to do for a few years now Multi
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Hikngrl
Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'




Joined: 27 May 2003
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Location: Peoria, AZ

PostPosted: 5/25/2013, 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Glad to have you Mike! Looking back I see that David previously mentioned that his truck seats 5 comfortably.... All told we have 4 going up Friday. Three of us from different parts of the valley and Hank are you in Prescott still or Flag? If we could figure this out we could all head up together in David's truck. How about we valley kids meet at the Park n Ride at Bell and I17 and head up to where ever Hank is....

As for food I believe we should be responsible for our own back packing food. That is just too much of a pain to coordinate that. If we are all riding up together it would problably be easiest to stop for lunch on the way in my opinion. leaving Friday nights dinner to consider. Sat AM breakfast may just be easier on our own since we will be breaking camp and getting ready to hike. Will probably be driving at dinner time Sunday? Easiest to stop and pick something up?

Any input? Objections? Ideas?
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diamondbacks





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PostPosted: 5/26/2013, 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I'm happy to drive. My truck will carry all of us and our gear comfortably. Meeting at I-17 and Bell early Friday morning works well for me. I've been watching the extended forecast and so far the weather is looking pretty good with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the high 40s. Should be ideal hiking weather Very Happy

Can't wait!
David
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Hikngrl
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PostPosted: 5/26/2013, 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Cool! So I hope everyone is watching this thread! If everyone can check in and let me know that you have seen the plans thus far and are in agreement that would be helpful! Hank, we are going to need to know where you are going to be so we know where to pick you up!
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Hnak





Joined: 06 Jan 2003
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PostPosted: 5/26/2013, 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hikngrl wrote:
Cool! So I hope everyone is watching this thread! If everyone can check in and let me know that you have seen the plans thus far and are in agreement that would be helpful! Hank, we are going to need to know where you are going to be so we know where to pick you up!


I'll be at my home in Flag, stop by whenever you want (turn off at the Lake Mary exit, and go two miles down Lake Mary Road to the big blue house on the left). I'd be happy to drive too, if that would help. I have a pickup with a covered bed, so I could haul a lot of stuff if necessary.

Sorry about being out of touch for a while. Jamie and I were in Belize for a week or so, and I'm slowly recuperating...

I AM going to do this hike! Hiking
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desertgirl





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PostPosted: 5/27/2013, 6:20 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Getting excited! Very Happy Hiking Multi
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chihiggs





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PostPosted: 5/27/2013, 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

All the plans work for me.

Which corner of the I-17/Bell rd has the "Park -n- Ride" and what time do we want to meet? Maybe 7, 7:30 or 8am?
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bigfoot





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PostPosted: 5/27/2013, 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Desertgirl and I will will hook up with you guys on Sat. a.m - with the goal of starting walking at 7.00 a.m. Which campgrounds are y'all going to be at - sunset view (the one with the bathrooms) or canyon view (primitive campground). Or should we meet at the visitor center.
I m excited about this hike....getting all pyched up....been chasing this one for a while. Very Happy
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diamondbacks





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PostPosted: 5/27/2013, 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Great sounds like things are coming together. For the carpool (Diane and Mike) lets meet at the Park-&-Ride which is at the Southwest Corner of I-17 and Bell Road at 0700 sharp on Friday morning. I will be driving a black 4-door Ford F-150, I'll have the back cover up so should be easy to spot. If you need to reach me my cell is 480-220-3766. We will stop in Flagstaff to pick up Hank at his house around 9-9:30 and then we can stop for Lunch at either Cameron Trading Post or Tuba City. That should still get us to the Sunset View campground in plenty of time to get set up and get to the 3:00pm orientation. Looks like there are some interesting short dayhikes from the campgrounds that we could explore.

For Saturday morning why don't we meet up with the folks driving in that morning at the "Keet Seel parking lot" at 0700, as I think that is where we will start the hike. I've attached a map.

http://www.nps.gov/nava/planyourvisit/upload/Visitor-s-Trail-Map-2011.pdf

David
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desertgirl





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PostPosted: 5/28/2013, 9:09 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Ok -- See you all there
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chihiggs





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PostPosted: 5/28/2013, 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Awesome! Thank you David for being willing to drive-up. I will be there Friday morning at 7am.

Exclamation Confusion Exclamation Do we camp and hike from Sunset/view or whatever it is called - do we back-pack in to camp? In other words, do I pack for backpacking trip or a car camping with hiking Question
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Hnak





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PostPosted: 5/28/2013, 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I'm pretty sure that it's car camping Friday night, backpack in to Keet Seel and camp at/near the ruins Saturday, and out Sunday... I think...
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Hikngrl
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PostPosted: 5/28/2013, 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hnak is correct!

Will we have room for a cooler or two for Friday night dinner stuff or do we need to do coolerless type stuff? Trying to decide what to bring for Friday nights dinner. Everything else I have decided.
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