2009 GHOTM LIST

[GTG]

For those new or not in the know, GHOTM = Group Hike Of The Month. We schedule monthly hikes through the site for members to "sponsor" or lead a hike of their desire. Below is a list of scheduled GHOTM for 2009.

We need interested folks to lead these hikes so get in here y'all!

January 17th (GTG) - Elephant Mountain up to the Fortress
http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8076

February (Shawn) - Hell's Canyon Wilderness

March 27th - 29th (Shawn/desertgirl) - Mazatzal Divide Trail - AZT Passage #23 Backpack
http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=97818#97818

April

May

June

July

August

September

October (desertgirl) Granitr Mountain

November 7 - 8 (RedRoxx44) - for Ash Creek Galiuros for fall photo shooting. Those not interested in that can hike to Bassett Peak and back for a workout.

December
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Good things come to those who walk.

[evenstar]

I'd happily lead a GHOTM in White Tanks Regional park, but seems most see it as whimpy and a joke, and of course, "way ot West". Well virtually all the hikes the past few years are more "epic" in nature and way out east. You might ask Linda's Becketts' or Dougs opinions on that.
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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

[RedRoxx44]

I will offer Nov 7,8 2009 for Ash Creek Galiuros for fall photo shooting. Those not interested in that can hike to Bassett Peak and back for a workout.

I have my own thoughts on leading a group hike. I like Shawn's idea--our group of solo hikers.

Plan on car camping.
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You can rest when you're dead

[GTG]

[Suz]

Hooli I like your idea. Remember the loop we did when the wildflowers were out of control, great hike.

I like Letty's idea, too. Gorgeous area, she has the color thing timed to a "t", and everyone can do it.

I'm thinking I'd love to lead a water/canyoneering adventure in June or July --something to beat the heat---cool water and shade....if there is interest.

[Hikngrl]

[Hikngrl]

[Shawn]

Thanks for the schedule change.

The group of solo hikers will hike the Hells Canyon Wilderness in Feburary, I'm thinking the 7th unless someone has a different preference.

This is copied from my post on the area earlier:

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I've had the good fortune to be peripherally involved in securing into public ownership the last parcel of private land within the Hells Canyon Wilderness, twenty-five miles north of Phoenix. This weekend I accompanied Wilderness Land Trust and Bureau of Land Management folks on a short overnight trip into the property.

It was a bit toasty at a 4 PM arrival at the TH. This is two-wheel drive access, off Castle Hot Springs Road, then a mile or so south to Garfias Wash on a lesser road which roughly forms the west boundary of the Wilderness, The route in is down this shallow wash; the TH register is on your left. BLM has installed a serious ATV barrier—BRAVO—at the boundary.

Shortly less than a mile down the wash, at the boundary of the newly-acquired 640 acres, the wash pinches down to an impressive gate. The water-carved red granite floor requires a bit of climbing. An ancient two-track trail rises to the north, remnants of homesteading days. We continued over the granite and down the wash, passing under a cottonwood stand. As we passed immediately below the tree, a shrill scream scared the bejeezus out of all of us, more so me because of my audio amplification. Seems we were disturbing a nesting hawk and her little ones, and Mom was not pleased. She circled around and Dad joined in, neither a bit bashful with their displeasure.

A camper-sized cottonwood lies across the route shortly beyond the rookery; it was laid over years ago but obviously kept its tap-root in the sub-flow of the stream and has grown into its own grove, making a nice place for a shady stop. Immediately to the north is a mesquite bosque with evidence of long-past cattle tending in among the trees. A short ways further on the other side is another level bench with similar traces of habitation-remains of a foundation, bed stead and stove parts. It’s been a long time since anyone slept there but it’s fun to find these remains of the “olden days.”

The goal of the trip was the narrow, scenic Hells Canyon; a rocky cleft about two miles from the TH and on the east side of the recent acquisition. I was a short ways ahead of the others and stopped to wait. As I turned to look back I noticed a circular dark spot in the sand at my feet. Whoa! or some other expletive better left deleted, it was a rattlesnake, coiled and cocked but not making a sound. Move away slowly my . . . foot! He or she never moved or made a sound as we gathered to examine it, from a distance.

I took the sweep position, figuring I’d done my part. Within fifty yards we saw the snake’s younger sibling, maybe 18 inches long, moving across the path. Another wide berth given.

We explored the mouth of the narrow canyon for a few minutes then reversed course to find a campsite on a bench, knowing we had to pass the snake to do so. As we approached, a gila monster ran across our path. I’ve not seem them move so fast but they can scurry if necessary. He ran right for the snake, but turned off at the last minute, so we had no entertainment. The snake was still visible but had nested into the sand and was level with the surface.

We set up camp and waited for a couple late arrivals, who showed up just as dark fell. Introductions, a pleasant fire, good conversation and some satellite watching followed, then bed time for me.

Saturday morning we slept in past daylight. Breakfast was a short affair; then we headed down the canyon so the Wilderness Land Trust folks could get some photos. It narrows and deepens into another one of those places one would love to see in full flood, the water marks are high on the dark canyon walls.

We went as far down canyon as the clock allowed; the WLT folks had to make afternoon flights home.

This is a great little Wilderness and soon a trans-wilderness hike will be legal. I’m thinking it will be a good group hike come November after the snakes go to bed for the winter.


http://newswire.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20080423.104714&time=11%2028%20PDT&year=2008&public=0

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Curmudgeon, this one is "way out west!" Maybe the food afterwards can be in Wickenberg? Or not if anyone knows a good Mexican dive in the NW valley.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

[evenstar]

Fact is GHOTM should me renamed G(race)of the month. Seems every one's goal is to beat their previous time on the trail. Like Letty said, it's become a group of solo hikers. Some one recently told me that we never go off and leave some one without some one dropping back to check on them. Anniversary gig of two years ago, Linda Beckett and I got lost and what was advertised as an easy 5 miler turned into an 8+ miler for us. When we got back to camp was anybody out looking for us? NO! Had anybody fallen back on the trail to find us? NO! Several years ago a friend of Stan's was left quite away behind, fell and had numerous cuts on knees, and face including a split lip. Had the "Group" not stopped for a short rest and Todd's good hearing heard her yelling for help, we'd eventually, I think, started back to find her. Life threatening? NO! But could have been
Basically AZH is a site for younger members, Stan at 59 being the oldest after me as part of the regular hiking group. I gotta tell ya, those 12 years, as you ll will find out, make a huge difference.
My first hike in the Canyon was a day trip to Plateau Point. I couldn't do that hike today; with 4 to 5 months to get in shape for it, yes.....but would I enjoy it as I did the first time? NO! I'd be too fatigued to give a porridge.
Most of the hikes these days are beyond my capabilities and/or too far away.
So, I've had my say and think it's time to leave AZH to the younger folks and jut get hell outta the way. Fact is, I can no longer keep up with the pack and don't like being left behind in case something happens to Rich or me.
_________________
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

[desertgirl]

Woo Hoo Todd! Thanks for setting up the thread.

Put me down for October for Granite Mountain in Prescott.
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Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[Matt Hoffman]

deleted
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"Your day-glo ballet days are over." Ancient chinese proverb.
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[Matt Hoffman]

[Shawn]

[desertgirl]

Mazatzal Divide Trail ~28 miles backpack with Shuttle ? This is an AZT section as well I think!
Deer Creek loop hike 15 miles Backpack or Day hike ....
I think I will do something in this area this coming year.

What will be a good month for Mazatzals ? Any beta on water on the divide trail ? Is this a backpack worthy area or is it better suited for dayhiking ?

Just keep 2009 GHOTM candidate in one place - Page Rob proposed a Petrified Desert Hike for Oct or Nov.
Rob -- How about Hackberry hike ?
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[Shawn]

"Mazatzal Divide Trail ~28 miles backpack with Shuttle ? This is an AZT section as well I think! "

YES! Great Idea! I think any time is good, depending on one's tolerance for cold. Have to watch the snow level, but that's not usually an issue. Is there a three day weekend in Feb? This is a great idea for a group of solo hikers (GSH) event. I can get water info, there is water up there especially in the spring and this rain greatly improves the chances.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.