August GHOTM - 4th Annual West Fork Wade - Aug 4-6 2006

[Tom Treks]

What is it?: The West Fork Wade is a canyoneering adventure which begins at the top of the rim and follows the West Fork of Oak Creek 14 miles to the trailhead at Call o' the Canyon. This will be our fourth annual trek! There is a possibility it will require some short swims (hopefully), but there is no technical climbing required.

An alternative hike will also be available, which is the normal out and back beginning at Call of the Canyon. This optional hike can be extended beyond the "get your feet wet" point, which is about 3 miles in. This will be the end-point of the main WFW "day-hike". Those who can make sure that a few 'cold ones' are available at the end of the trek will be GREATLY appreciated. You will really like that end of the canyon for sure.

The Plan?: We will be rising early on Saturday morning to make the drop-in point early enough for a dusk exit at Call of the Canyon. Figure around 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. wake-up. We should hit the road for the drop-off by 7:00 a.m. If the weather looks too threatening for the top-down hike, a decision will be made whether to call the main hike, or not. Plan B will be to start the hike from the bottom, and see how far we can get before turning around. The shuttle situation will be finalized on Friday night or Sat morn.

Campsite?: Just North of I40 and exit 190. Directions: From Flagstaff, take I-40 W west about 5 miles to exit 190, A-1 Mountain Road. Go right at the stop sign onto FR 506. You'll pass by a to-be-built subdivision on the left. From where the road turns to dirt at a cattle guard (about 1/4 mile from the interstate), go 0.9 miles to a turnoff for the camping area on the left. The road is fine for low-clearance vehicles.

Directions to Call o' the Canyon - Take 89A south 17.5 miles south from Flagstaff or north 9.5 miles from Sedona to about halfway between milepost 385 and 384. Located on West side of 89A.

Directions to hike drop off - Take I-40 to exit 191 (Bus 40). Take a right and head East to Woody Mountain road (FR 231). Take that South about 15 miles to the bridge spanning Oak Creek. There is room to park a few vehicles if necessary. Mainly a gravel road, and low-clearance okay.

What to bring?: Pack light and waterproof everything the best you can. It may be wet in a few spots, and will definitely be a full day, so pack accordingly.

Please post as to whether or not you will be joining the group on Friday night, or not. Plan is to meet at the campsite, and then we will be hitting one of our favorite Flagstaff "carb spots", Bun Huggers, for the Friday night carb loading feast around 7:30 p.m. It is located on the 40/180 main drag in Flag. Next to the now defunct Popular Outdoor Outfitters (sign should still be up). We will then retire to our "abodes" back at the campsite.

Please PM me if you need any other info, need my cell number, or have any other concerns.


Saturday Cookout:

HIG - Burgers and Brats
Hooligan - marinated short ribs Saturday, and bacon for Sun a.m.
Cynhikr - home-made pasta salad
IGO - pritzels n' beer
wanderingsoul - apple pie and deviled eggs
ck1 - gumbo
RedRoxx44 - chips and pop
LongStoryShort - Beer
DesertDog - spicy sw'ern hummus, fresh bread, and potato salad
Davis2001R6 - bbq shrimp
GTG - red beans and rice with sausage
doug - breakfast burritos for Saturday morning, and bean salad for Saturday evening
Hikngrl - non-homemade food items (the nerve...)
Paintninaz - white chili (homemade)

[paintninaz]

I'll be there Friday night.
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~Tracy

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

[IGO]

Looks like a real winner for us Arizona yankees.
I hope to make the Friday night camp and Carb Fest as well.

How many times does a Nevada guy have to make one of these gigs to become an AZH?
_________________
"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

[Tom Treks]

Anyone who can turn their new truck into a "convertible" on their first AZH outing is an instant AZH'er in my book.

[IGO]

Now I'm emotional. Group hug?
Oh, and anyone who can sleep through an earthquake is alright in my book as well.
_________________
"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

[mike]

Hey, IGO is in the top ten now!
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[IGO]

Ah oh. Top 10 what?
_________________
"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

[mike]

Number of posts on the site.
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[/size]

[paintninaz]

[Hnak]

I'll be there Friday night too...
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The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY

[IGO]

[mike]

[Tom Treks]

Maybe this will give GTG incentive to post more...

[IGO]

[mike]