August GHOTM- 6th Annual West Fork Wade Aug 22-24th

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Saturday August 23rd will be the 6th Annual West Fork Wade.
Here are some links to the past threads about the hike: 2007 Hike , 2006 Hike

Most of you know by now that this is not your ordinary 14 mile hike. There is water, creeks, wet slippery boulder hopping, mud and some swimming involved on this one. Plan on hiking from 6 to 12+ hours on this one. If you haven't done a 14 mile hike before don't choose this as your first. If your unsure of your abilities I would recommend doing your own hike from the Call of the Canyon TH, it's about 2-3 miles to get down to the creek and you can go up creek as long and you want and then turn around and head back.

There is a pretty long car shuttle involved in this one as it's a one way hike. In previous years we were lucky enough to have some wonderfull people volunteer to drop people off, then hang out hours later and go pick them back up and the other side and drive back to the campsite from there. Well that plan backfired last year when there weren't enough shuttle drivers and some people couldn't do the hike and had to play shuttle driver. I don't want that to happen this year, nor do I want to rely on someone to drive for us. There is a pretty simple fix, just have groups start at opposite ends and swap keys in the middle, then drive each others cars back around to camp. So thats the plan we'll try for this year.

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.

I plan on camping both Friday and Saturday nights on this one, with the hike being on Saturday.

Lets plan on having a potluck Saturday night and let Friday night be on our own. If you plan on camping Saturday night let me know what you want to bring to the potluck and I will keep this post updated.

Saturday Night Potluck:
Tim- Grilled Shrimp Appetizer and a fruit salad-- Plates, Forks, Spoons, Knifes as well
Paintninaz- Chili, Cornbread and some bowls and world famous chips and salsa!!
Jdahling- Brats / Mets, buns and condiments
Hnak- pie for dessert.... or an appetizer
Outside1- rice side dish and Muffins for Breakfast Saturday or Sunday
Wanderingsoul- some corn on cob.

Hikngrl · Posted: 8/1/2008, 5:29 pm Post subject:

I am so there! I can't wait! Not sure what I will bring for dinner yet but I will figure it out and let you know,
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evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

I'll be at the Grand Canyon for this one, rather in support. Hope the key exchange idea works out well.
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Hnak · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ

Sure.... Why not?? Mr. Green

Brings back memories of flying snakes and enema kits.... I can't wait either...
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Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Not sure where the date is posted...I'll check the calendar but maybe the date could be posted in this post too?
Linda
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beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Found it! August 23rd!
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evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Sorry, didn't notice the date wasn't in the thread, only on the calendar, I updated it.

Yeah Tom, once some more people sign up we can start talking which direction people want to go. I'll be the first to volunteer for the bottom up hike, I imagine it will be slightly more difficult.

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

I will have to see how things go. I'd like to come out for the camping and a shorter hike but I will be a last minute sign up. If that's ok.
Linda
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"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

I'm not exactly in the "hang-nail" category but close! I'd love to do this again but I'm sort of in the middle of this treatment. Crying or Very sad

If everything is healed up by then I can play, if not I'll have to pass. Tim, it's a 50/50 for me (my head is in, my leg is not) I'll let you know by the 21st if my leg is coming along...if that's okay.

mikehikes · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Tucson

Pretty sure I can fit this gig in. Probably won't be able to do the hike but can help with shuttle.
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threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

I am looking forward to this one!
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paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Can't wait! Multi

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Daddee · Posted: 8/4/2008, 10:12 am Post subject:

[fill in lame excuse]
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