Mazatzal Divide Trail - AZT Passage #23 Backpack

Come backpack the Mazatzal Divide Trail - the premier hike in the Mazatzal Wilderness. This trail stays on or near the crest for its entire run from Mt Peely TH to City CreeK. This also forms Passage #23 on the Arizona Trail!

When: March 27 Friday - March 29 Sunday. We will be leaving at 9:00 am from My Peeley TH. Shawn, Ambika, Dave will be camping at the TH.

Rating: Strenuous. Long miles (~ 28 miles) , sketchy sesaonal water, 3600ft elevation gain with rolling elevation profile.

Trip Leads: desertgirl & Shawn. This will be a loosely organized group of Solo Hikers... So you need to do your homework, know the details and assess your abilities before you sign up.

Details: This will be a shuttle hike with 2 nights on the trail. We will be camping at 6000ft + elevation. Water should be generally availaable along the trail at the different springs/seeps. 2 vehicles (Shawn/Ambika) will be staged at the City Creek TH for shuttle back to Mt Peeley TH.

Trail Information:
AZT Passage Info: http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_23.html

Dayhikes: There are options for some loop day hikes and for joining in partways. Access to the Divide trail is possible via Y Basin #44 (6 miles); Barnhardt #43 (6.2 miles); Rock Creek #42 (3.3 miles)

windymesa · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Peoria, Arizona

I was a "for sure", but was really secretly a "maybe".. but now I am a "for sure". I can shuttle you and desetgirl from City Creek to Mt Pealey if you return the favor at the end of the hike.

Shawn · Posted: 3/23/2009, 3:33 pm Post subject:

Hikngrl · Posted: 3/23/2009, 5:36 pm Post subject:

Getting my food together tonight! Need to make and dehydrate some lentils and potates for breakfasts.... Don't even know if I even remember how to pack for a back packing trip! I am getting so excited! I will have to resort to making a list again to make sure I have every thing, even then I can almost promise I will forget something!
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

azhiker96 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1419

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

Shawn · Posted: 3/24/2009, 8:57 am Post subject:

I packed up my new pack, and seem to be about ready. I'm psyched, long overdue for some physical activity.

I remember an on-trail itinery of camp spots and daily mileage here somewhere, will have to dig that up.

I just finished listening to "River of Doubt" the story of T Roosevelts journey down a previously unexplored river in Brazil. That was a high adventure! Makes me appreciate our high-tech gear and thorough mapping. All they knew when they started was the lat/long of where they might come out, nothing about the river or distance or conditions.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

MikeInFHAZ · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location

Shawn, you will want to camp at Bear Saddle, good water nearby. Night two at Hopi Spring. There will likely be water along the way near Horse Camp seep and in the washes along the way. DO THIS: when you cross the drainage that comes down from Sandy Saddle, go downstream (sans packs) about 5 minutes to the edge of Deadman Canyon and peer down into the twin 250' waterfalls. Its worth the easy scramble down canyon. I wont be on this trip after all but Im going to be on the Maz Divide trail near Barnhardt saddle for a small time, maybe we will run into your group Sat morning. Im going in to reach the base of the above mentioned waterfalls.
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wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

2 Weeks Ambika !!! YUK ! Glad to hear you are all better or just about. All that fresh air will clear your lungs in no time.

Have a nice trip all!
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

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

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

OK as usual I have not been on posting much, but I have been reading and I too am excited to do a bit of backpacking it has been to long. Anyway I though I would chime in here and agree with a 9AM start on Friday. Does anyone have more info on directions to the trail head? Can I make it with a Honda Civic? Is FR 201 marked from the Beeline Hwy (can I find it)?
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Tony

azbackpackr · Posted: 3/24/2009, 7:57 pm Post subject:

Well, shoot. You guys have a blast!

Shawn · Posted: 3/24/2009, 8:54 pm Post subject:

Tony,
I don't know about the civic, but suspect "probably." Google Maps, Mt Peeley, AZ and set it to Map. When I was there several years ago, FR 201 really stopped at the trail head, in spite of what google shows.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

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

Thanks Shawn , it looks like I will just drive the truck. And I am going with the directions I got for Google they should due just fine.
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Tony

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

Here we come!! I am almost packed.....
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desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Diane -- Do you want me bring some extra java juice for you -- I have a ton
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Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!