Secret Canyon Hike rescheduled for May 3

[evenstar]

[kurthzone]

I'm definatley in!
_________________
;o)>

[evenstar]

[kurthzone]

I've got some typos coming your way and you'll not be able to fix them!

BTW, can you pick me up Saturday on your way? Sounds as though there will be rides enough for all at the target parking lot.
_________________
;o)>

[J&S]

Well, here's our informal survey of the posts and the "head count."

In "for sure;"

evenstar
Mike
GTG
Canyon Dweller
Patches
Paintninaz + Rocky
jmsblond + Dailon
Kristyn +1
kurthzone
CatValet +1
-----
Total "confirmed" = 13

"Maybe" In:

Mrs. Mike
Cindy
George AZ
J&S (2)
------
Total "Maybe" = 5

Total possible (so far) if everyone comes = 18

Are you still feeling pretty sure that you will be walking away from the TH by 11 a.m.?

J&S

[J&S]

I don't want to be a "fly in the ointment" but sometimes I can't help it.

There is definitely a "group size limit" in the Wilderness.
I can't find it on the net but I think it is 12. It might be 15 but I doubt it. I can virtually guarantee you it isn't more than 15.

I suggest one of the more upstanding members of this group call the Sedona Ranger District tomorrow @ 928-282-4119 and find out.

In any event, a cursory head count seems to indicate that the group WILL exceed the Wilderness group size limit.

The only way to cope with this well-justified limit is to split the group into TWO groups, each traveling under its own pace.

No matter what you might think, pro or con, about group size limits in the Wilderness, they ARE the law and they DO have a purpose.

As responsible hikers, we need to respect these limits and this law.

J&S

[evenstar]

[evenstar]

Don't forget: Red Rock pass required for parking! Weather forecast is for cool.
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

[J&S]

The regulatory group size is 12. The front desk guy was well versed in Leave No Trace guidelines and, therefore, suggested breaking ANY large group into smaller groups spaced 5-10 minutes apart. But the technical maximum size of one group hiking together can be as large as 12. I am pretty sure it used to be 15 but was reduced when the Forest Plan was amended for the Sedona region a few years ago.

Now, listen up on this next part--THE PASS.

No, a Red Rock Pass is not necessarily technically required.

As of April 18, 2003, the Golden Eagle Pass can be substituted for the Red Rock Pass at ALL places where the Red Rock Pass is now required.

Yes, a Red Rock Pass can still be used.

Confusing? Probably.

If you think you will visit Sedona only once in a great while, buy a day Red Rock Pass for only $5.

If you already own an annual National Parks Pass, you can get the annual Golden Eagle hologram for a mere $15 and it is good until the expiration of your National Parks Pass. This will not only get you into the Red Rock Pass sites in Sedona but hundreds, if not thousands, of other USFS fee sites nationwide. (An annual Red Rock Pass is $20 alone.)

If you already happen to have the Golden Eagle, you DO NOT need a Red Rock Pass.

People 65 and over can buy the Golden Eagle for half-price.

I haven 't checked with the Tonto yet, but I have a suspicion they may also be accepting the Golden Eagle in place of their expensive forest pass.
There is a LOT of info on the USFS website about this so if anyone doubts the truth of these changes, let me know and I will post the links.

j

[evenstar]

[paintninaz]

Is there a place to buy the Red Rock Pass near/or on the way the trailhead?
_________________
~Tracy

“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.”

[evenstar]

Yeah, there's a spot just as you turn off the paved road onto the dirt road.
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

[evenstar]

In case we have to break into two groups, I'm gonna bring my FSR radios so we can stay in contact if necessary.

Weather forecast calls for cool and windy so be prepared.
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

[GTG]

I'll bring my radios as well. They work well for road travel communications too.

GTG
_________________
Good things come to those who walk.

[tempe8]

Sorry for the late notice, but I'm in! I'm already going to be in Sedona and was just making sure my plans would allow me to do this hike. I won't be carpooling since I'm staying the night, but I would like to meet up with the group at the Safeway and jump into a high clearance vehicle.

GTG, you mentioned people could pile into your truck bed from the Safeway in Sedona to the trailhead. I checked the address and this is what I found:

SAFEWAY
2300 West Highway 89A
Sedona AZ 86336
(928) 282-0118

Should we just plan a target time to meet there? 10:00, 10:30?