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

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.

outside1 · Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 366 Location: Mesa, AZ

Tim,

Put me down for a rice side dish and Muffins for Breakfast Saturday or Sunday.

As for my arival time I could not say for sure but I hope to be in camp around 9:00 Firday night.
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Tony

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

I'll bring some corn on cob.

So it looks like you decided to stick to the same place. See y'll when you get out.
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Tim
I won't be able to make it...........another funeral to attend. You guys have fun, count the swimmers for me and take lots of pictures. I'll be anxiously awaiting them.

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

Dang Suz, sorry you can't make it.

Looks like it will be a nice small group then. Shouldn't have any logistics problems this year.

I talked to Scott and he will be meeting me at the Call of the Canyon TH for an 8AM start. Of thats too early/late to START the hike let me know and I'll have him adjust accordingly.

So far it will be He and I starting from the Call of Canyon Side. We will have his car and my car down there it looks like we may only need one car on the other end with the small group. We can figure that out Saturday night.

I would like to leave the camp at 7 for the drives to the TH's, so we can start at 8, seems reasonable I think, but let me know otherwise.

For those heading up on Friday night, what time are you planning on getting to camp? Just so I know what time to try for as well.

Please grab a bundle of firewood if we would like a fire......after all HIG needs somewhere to fall asleep.

-TIM-

GTG · Posted: 8/21/2008, 5:13 pm Post subject: Us Out Too...

Diane and I are going to have to bow out too unfortunately. We have a sick dog that is headed to the vet tomorrow and I took Diane to the doctor to get her a cast installed but the cast installer doctor (podiatrist) said that she had to have surgery on the foot in order for her to not have problems with it. So she has a new temporary cast and a surgery consultation appointment tomorrow. That being said, I have told her that with the pain she is experiencing, the surgery planned and the possibility of wrecking her hiking career early, we are unfortunately not going to make it to hike or camp. Sorry for the late opt out but I think it's best for both of us at this point.

GTG
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Good things come to those who walk.

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

Hope Diane get fixed up quick, I think you could amputate her foot and it still wouldn't stop her from hiking.

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Wow, this small group size will be a first for this event!

Awww Rats!

and I made such a BIG batch of salsa too!
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~Tracy

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

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

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

Hnak · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ

Hnak · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ

Diane, sorry to hear about the surgery, that's no fun at all, but I suppose it's an acceptable reason for not doing the hike. This time, anyway... Rolling Eyes

I hope it goes well and you're back on the trail really soon! We'll miss you... Sad

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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

jdahling · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 233 Location: East Valley

Cannot wait to see everyone again - and to try this hike. I'm planning on heading out of phoenix around 4ish - but would like to get out no later than 3:30 (just don't feel optimistic that will happen...! Especially given the fact that I'm almost an hour delayed out of LA at the present moment. Ugh).

I'm still on for the brats / mets combo but now it looks like I'll have plenty! Yahoo.

See you tonight.
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Cheers,
Jeannine Cool

"Life is an adventure ... Made for an adventurer ..."

Hikngrl · Posted: 8/22/2008, 4:12 pm Post subject:

I will be thinking about you all, all weekend through my vicodin induced stupor! I wish we could be there! Have a great time and be safe!
Hug

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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

outside1 · Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 366 Location: Mesa, AZ

Sorry to say but I am going to shrink the group a bit more, as I have been called into work tomorrow.
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Tony