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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
 
desertgirl





Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 3350
Location: Chandler, AZ

PostPosted: 6/3/2013, 8:44 am    Post subject: Re: Keet Seel Trip Report (part 3) Reply to topic Reply with quote

diamondbacks wrote:

Again a truly amazing trip, thanks again for letting me tag along. It was my first GHOTM, but it won't be my last. I truly enjoyed meeting new friends and sharing an awesome hiking experience. See you all again soon! Very Happy Very Happy

David

We sure enjoyed your company and would love to see you at some of the other GHOTMs or other random hikes!
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desertgirl





Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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Location: Chandler, AZ

PostPosted: 6/3/2013, 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Camping with no tents worked out just fine .... at least for me. Perfect temps & clear skies. Diane said she was worried about some critters that were rooting around. Not much mosquitoes or anything ....

There was this one spider that was adamant about sharing my tarp -- so he had to eventually be terminated. Sorry spider Confused
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chihiggs





Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 565
Location: Gilbert, AZ

PostPosted: 6/3/2013, 8:58 am    Post subject: Post-hike Reply to topic Reply with quote

I second everything stated about the hike. It was an amazing hike!!

Guru and David; it was a pleasure meeting and hiking with both of you--looking forward to more fun times Very Happy Ambika and Diane; you two rock and are always fun to join for a hike or backpack.

Ken--thank you for getting this set-up. I wish you had been able to make it. It would have been nice to meet you. It was also really cool that you offered to allow someone from the site to get the permit.

Diane--thank you for stepping up and taking the lead with the permit and keeping the hike alive Smile
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chihiggs





Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 565
Location: Gilbert, AZ

PostPosted: 6/3/2013, 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Oops--I will try probably this evening to get some pictures up. Got to get that figured out Rolling Eyes
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Hikngrl
Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'




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

PostPosted: 6/3/2013, 1:13 pm    Post subject: Le Reply to topic Reply with quote

There are children out there thirsting for knowledge and livers shriveling shouldn't some of you out there be working today!? Lazy people! Very Happy
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desertgirl





Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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Location: Chandler, AZ

PostPosted: 6/4/2013, 11:13 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hey David -- Can you share GPS stats for the hike
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diamondbacks





Joined: 15 Feb 2006
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Location: Scottsdale

PostPosted: 6/5/2013, 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

desertgirl wrote:
Hey David -- Can you share GPS stats for the hike


I am out of town for the next week and don't have access to my GPS.

David
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Hikngrl
Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'




Joined: 27 May 2003
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PostPosted: 6/5/2013, 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Trying to get my album up but it is not working so well. Todd is working on it but in the mean time here is a link to my FB album. I am not done captioning it but the pics are all there!

https://www.facebook.com/diane.taulborg/media_set?set=a.10200537624977525.1073741830.1065303433&type=1
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desertgirl





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PostPosted: 6/6/2013, 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Great link that talks about what Steve's GF and Father did at Keet Seel
http://knau.org/post/americas-best-idea-excavating-keet-seel-navajo-national-monument
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wanderingsoul





Joined: 19 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 6/11/2013, 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

The Pictures were wonderful !! Thank you for sharing
You all had wonderful weather and looks like it was a great trip. Glad you all were able to enjoy !

The link and write up were rather interesting, that had to be something to experience the uncovering and preservation of this ancient area

Thanks Ambika for that
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