Sonoran Desert National Monument, May 4-6

[articulate]

Load up! :safari-rig:

The desert's looking fresh, clean, and green. We'll be exploring some roads south of I-8. Here's a map of potential routes

The Plan: Leave Friday about 4:30pm to make camp by dark-ish. I haven't figured out precisely where that might be.
Saturday morning, hearty breakfast, pick a route and go. Find a camp, set up fire, roast up food, tell some tales - you know, the usual.
Sunday, up and out. I've got to have Brooke back at the house by noon.

Trip is not for the faint of heart. Not because of the roads or conditions, but because the desert is looking mighty alive these days. And we'll be traveling with two - count 'em! TWO! - pregnant chicks.

Crew:
1. Wil and Wen
2. Mark and Brooke F'n Stephens
3. Seth
4. Brad
5. Scotty J (perhaps)
6. SWR
7. Euro
anyone else?

I'd disclose the names of the little girls inside their mommies, but I think that's information to share face to face.

FYI: No permit needed. Even though we will be close to the Barry Goldwater range, we won't enter the boundary.

Meeting Place and Time:
6:00pm, Friday May 4
Junction of I-8 and Highway 84

or the campsite (refer to map, point "CAMP1")

Communications:
CB: 4
2M simplex: 146.460
My phone: 480-365-9106

:chef: Saturday Pot Luck:
Brad: Tequila tomatoes
Mark: firey salsa, and pico de gallo
Seth: ceviche
Wil: 2 lbs of Chicken Sun Dried Tomatoe Sausages, 2-peppers, 2 onions, and 2 lbs of Whole Wheat Pasta
Others?


If you can't make it there at that time, refer to the GPS files and come meet us at your leisure. If you can't make the GPS file work, refer to the map.

 

[flyingwil]

This should be a fun trip! Scott has been there in the past as well, here is his write-up.

The 404,000 acres of this monument includes a spectacular diversity of plant and animal species. The desert mountain ranges within the monument are covered with woodlands, while the lower elevation lands offer a flourishing palo verde/mixed cacti habitat. The most striking aspect of the plant communities within the proposed monument are the saguaro cactus forests, the most characteristic plant of the Sonoran Desert. Individual saguaro plants are magnificent, but a forest of these plants, together with the wide variety of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants that make up the forest community, is an impressive site to behold. The saguaro cactus forests within the monument are a national treasure, rivaling those within the Saguaro National Park. The monument also contains many significant archaeological and historic sites, including rock art sites, lithic quarries, and scattered artifacts.


Permit info:

Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office
1 North Central Ave. Suite 800
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Phone: 602-417-9300

 

[Ursidae69]

Should be a lot of snakes out, get some pictures for me. :lurk:

 

[flyingwil]

Should be a lot of snakes out, get some pictures for me. :lurk:

Will do if I see any! :cow:

 

[articulate]

Should be a lot of snakes out, get some pictures for me. :lurk:

Dude! That's what I forgot to put in the first post:

Please don't forget your:

1. Beer
2. Camera
3. Snake tongs

That's the best list ever.

 

[seth_js]

Well look at that... I found out about two hours ago I had to cancel my White Mountains trip that weekend because I can't get off work Friday and Monday. Then I come here and find out I can take a trip that requires no time off instead. Stephens... you're my hero. :costumed-smiley-007

On the other hand, two weekends in a row with F'n... that's a lot to ask of a person.

 

[flyingwil]

... two weekends in a row with F'n... that's a lot to ask of a person.

Well are you in or not?

 

[seth_js]

fa sho. (yes)

 

[Tucson T4R]

Sounds like a fun trip. Are us southern AZ boys welcome to join? I'm not scared of pregnant chicks. I'd love to finally meet some of you around the fire.

I checked out the past trail write-ups and it doesn't look too scary. :yikes: I would like to drag my King Kamper trailer in for this trip. Do you foresee any insurmountable challenges?

I also need to be back in Tucson for my parent's 91st birthday celebration by Noon on Sunday so an early break camp and run on Sunday will be the name of the game.

 

[Pskhaat]

Mark, I may be game as we'll be fresh back in town. Havn't asked the CEO yet... I've always wanted to explore that area.

 

[articulate]

Stephens... you're my hero. :costumed-smiley-007

Right. After two weekends together, you'll change your mind.


Brad: :rockon: It'd be great to have you along. Don't know much about the king camper, but Brady's page says the overgrowth on the trails is heavy. There shouldn't be any technical issues, just heavy bushy things. Maybe he'll chime in and share more.

 

[articulate]

Mark, I may be game as we'll be fresh back in town. Havn't asked the CEO yet... I've always wanted to explore that area.

How cool. See if you can swing it.

Now . . . I might have to come up with a solid meet place. And all that. One of my famous GPS files again.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

I am interested in this trip, are you planning on meeting at 4:30pm or departing Phoenix, we could possibly meet on hwy 8 ?

I need to check if it would be possible to leave work early on Friday!:imagesCADZQMBJ:

 

[Tucson T4R]

Right. After two weekends together, you'll change your mind.


Brad: :rockon: Brady's page says the overgrowth on the trails is heavy. There shouldn't be any technical issues, just heavy bushy things. Maybe he'll chime in and share more.

I already have a full collection of desert pin striping so that won't slow me down. :smiley_drive:

 

[flyingwil]

Brad: :rockon: It'd be great to have you along. Don't know much about the king camper, but Brady's page says the overgrowth on the trails is heavy. There shouldn't be any technical issues, just heavy bushy things. Maybe he'll chime in and share more.

Brad-

Based upon everything I have have seen on it, I think you would be just fine based upong what I have read, and like Mark said I think the only issues will be overgrowth. (more pin striping:jumping: !) BUT I have never been there before.