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)

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

Hikngrl · Posted: 3/25/2009, 6:10 am Post subject:

GTG · Posted: 3/25/2009, 6:28 am Post subject:

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

Directions
Mt. Peeley Trailhead: Take state highway 87 east to signed turnoff for Sycamore Creek about 0.5 miles north of mile post 222 (near Maricopa/ Gila County line). Turn left across divided highway and follow paved road to dirt road on right at 1.2 miles. Cross the cattleguard and go 1.2 miles to the fork of forest road 25 and forest road 201. Veer right and follow forest road 201 to its end (10 miles total from highway).
This is from hikearizona.com
City Creek TH: To reach City Creek TH from Payson, drive west on Main Street which soon turns into the East Verde River Road ( FR 406). Follow the ocassionally steep and often difficult dirt road ( It may require a 4WD after rain) for 11 miles to a samll parking area just pasta major sitchback. Parking is onthe right side of the road. Trail takes of to the left.
This is from the book 100 Classic Hikes in AZ ( City Creek)
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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 · Posted: 3/25/2009, 10:52 am Post subject:

Ambika and I will have vehicles at the TH when we come out. It will be a little cozy if all 9 of us show up, but I'm sure we can get everyone back to their vehicles at the entry point Sunday afternoon.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

Hikngrl · Posted: 3/25/2009, 1:14 pm Post subject:

Looks like Tony and Todd and I are meeting up here in town and will meet everyone at the TH by 0900 Friday! This is gonna be great! A real hiking trip! YAY!
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

Are you guys beginning on Mt. Peeley Trailhead ? I was thinking of hiking that Friday with a friend. If so, what time? I see an earlier post was 0900.

I am just doing a day hike, up and back because I can't escape the whole weekend.
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You can never eat too much candy...

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

Yes we are starting at Peeley TH -- Come join us on Friday!!!! Even for a bit...
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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!

threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

I will see you guys at 0900 then.
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You can never eat too much candy...

Shawn · Posted: 3/25/2009, 7:50 pm Post subject:

Thursday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northwest wind between 11 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 50. North northeast wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North northeast wind between 6 and 9 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

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

Thanks everyone for the directions (now I have no excuse for getting lost).

Looks like it is going to be a bit chilly in the evenings, but no rain (hurray to that).
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Tony

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

GTG:

I uploaded the txt file successfully as a track... did not try the route option.

Dave

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

My pack weighs in at 28 lbs... and I still have my camp chair, rumple mintz, and small microwave.

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

Do I need to bring snow shoes?

Hikngrl · Posted: 3/26/2009, 5:52 am Post subject:

I refuse to weigh my pack!
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!