Painted Desert Rendezvous - Nov. 8th and 9th

Alrighty, its fall so its time to start thinking of the next Painted Desert exploration and easy overnight backpack into the Petrified Forest or nearby environs. "Mountain Lion Mesa" will be a dayhike sortie with probably "accommodations" taking place in the southern wilderness northeast of Agate House. Possible side trip option to Chavez Pass Pueblo for those of your returning to Phoenix, as it is on the way between Holbrook and Strawberry.
Total of 8 folks for overnight. Dayhikers are welcome - they don't affect permit limits.

Whaddaya say?

Randal Schulhauser · Posted: 10/25/2008, 11:20 am Post subject:

Rob;

Have my business travel schedule booked and can now commit to the Saturday over-nighter. Can you post time and place to rendezvous, I presume Saturday 11/8 morning? For anyone else interested and wanting to hitch a ride from the Phoenix area, my F-150 can accomodate at least 2 more riders with gear... Mr. Green

RANDAL

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

Southern visitor center will be the rendezvous point. Not sure when y'all want to have to get up down there in the valley, but I was thinking maybe 9-ish? That means leaving Page (or PHX) around 7. I think it is about the same drive time for valley dwellers and myself. How does that work for everyone?
_________________
Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time.

azbackpackr · Posted: 10/25/2008, 6:37 pm Post subject:

Rob, my plans may have changed and now I think I might be able to go. So I put my name on the "maybe" list. So if there is still room at the last minute and I can go, I will change that and send you a PM.

So when you say "Southern Visitor Center" where is that? I am thinking off of Hwy 180 south of Holbrook, there is an entrance to Petrified Forest there, in the Rainbow Forest area? But your trip title says Painted Desert, which is mostly north of the freeway. I suppose I should read this whole thread, too, get more info.

I somehow believe the drive time from Phx. is more than 2 hours.

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

You're right - I can't do math. It's about 3-3 1/2 hours. Don't know what I was thinking.

Yes, the Rainbow Forest visitor center is the one I am talking about. The trailhead for the Crystal Forest Wilderness is just a few miles up the park road from there. Mountain Lion Mesa is a bit further north.

It'd be totally awesome if you would be able to come along as well! Let me know.

So far we've got it looks like 5 for the overnight counting me, with possible two more (including you). So we're still looking good on the permit numbers. And remember that dayhikers don't affect anything on the permit.

Looks like things are starting to come together.
_________________
Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time.

bzmunky · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: PHX, AZ

Hi,

I am a newbie in this group. I would like to join you for the Petrified Forest because it is one of the items on my ...bucket list. Very Happy

Are we carpooling? Where to meet if we car pool? What time do you plan to leave Phoenix?
Are you really back packing or just camping?

If I want to ...camp in the motel, where is the closest town I can look for motel?

I am in Phoenix, so I plan to leave about 4:30 Am in order to meet at 9. If anyone in PHX would like to car pool, please contact me and let me know if you would like to drive, or taking turn driving with me, coming back in the same day or staying over night there (somewhere)...

Please contact me direct if you want, it is easier for me that way. I am looking forward to hear from you.

Have a great day.

bzMunky Smile

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

azbackpackr · Posted: 10/28/2008, 2:38 am Post subject:

Hey, Rob, looks like I'm going to Yuma come hell or high water, so I took my name off the list.

As my mother used to say, "You can't do everything!"

Regretfully,
Elizabeth

azbackpackr · Posted: 10/28/2008, 2:41 am Post subject:

PS, Some of you motelers might enjoy staying at the Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Holbrook. That's the place that has the cottages shaped like Indian tipis! Very kitschy and quaint!

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

Sorry to hear abut that, Elizabeth. Maybe next time. Yuma should be nice though!
_________________
Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time.

Matt Hoffman · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 701 Location: Grantham, NH

azbackpackr · Posted: 10/28/2008, 5:34 pm Post subject:

Ok, I have to admit, I have never stayed there, so y'all had best listen to Matt!! I had seen an article in AZ Hwys about it one time, and of course, I pass the silly things every time I drive from Eagar to Flag. They have 50's cars parked all over the parking lot, too. Cute!

Yeah, sorry Rob, I would have liked to make the Painted Desert trip. It had looked for a week or so that our Yuma plans might have to be canceled, but it looks as though we can do it after all.

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

Drat - looks like this is not in the cards for me in 2008... I'll have to keep it on my list.
_________________
Cheers,
Jeannine Cool

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

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

Hey Rob --

Any idea what we will be doing -- I was looking at my TOPO and was wondering how far you anticipate wandering ?

how difficult is the terrain -- I am trying to figureout how much camera I want to carry.
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

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

Is Mountain Lion Mesa on the Topo map ?
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!