trek to Rainbow Bridge, March 2006 (revised to Sycamore Canyon)

[goodtimes]

Chuck, you'll be able to make the trip. It isn't that much longer than the fish creek trip. Don't be a wuss.:shakin:

 

[Ursidae69]

Yeah, I was talking to some folks this afternoon about this trip at work and I think I don't want to miss this trip.

You can move me to the confirmed list. I'll just drive in late on Friday and avoid vacation that day.

Mark,
You okay with non forum members going? The guy that went to Baja with me and Goodtimes might want to go. I asked him about it today. Also, do I need to do anything with the permits or just pay you?

 

[goodtimes]

Yeah, I was talking to some folks this afternoon about this trip at work and I think I don't want to miss this trip.

You can move me to the confirmed list. I'll just drive in late on Friday and avoid vacation that day.

Mark,
You okay with non forum members going? The guy that went to Baja with me and Goodtimes might want to go. I asked him about it today. Also, do I need to do anything with the permits or just pay you?

Good to hear you came to your senses Chuck. I was going to ask the *other* Brian if he was interested...you beat me to it.

 

[goodtimes]

Sun and Moon, Rise and Set Time Results

Data for March 13, 2006
At Latitude 37:0.00N and Longitude 111:0.00W
In Time Zone: 7
Daylight Savings Time is Off

Sun Rise: 6:37:53
Sun Transit: 12:33:25
Sun Set: 18:29:33
Sun Rise: 6:36:25 Tomorrow

Moon Rise: 16:34 Yesterday
Moon Set: 6:13
Moon Rise: 17:33
Moon Set: 6:35 Tomorrow
Moon Declination: 12.4
Full Moon: Tuesday March 14, 2006 at 16:28
Partial Lunar Eclipse at: 16:41
Magnitude: 1.023
'Transit' is the time at which the Sun/Moon is directly south.


***************************************************

Looks like the moon will be cooperating for the oh-gawd-30 hike out option.

 

[articulate]

Yeah, I was talking to some folks this afternoon about this trip at work and I think I don't want to miss this trip.

You can move me to the confirmed list. I'll just drive in late on Friday and avoid vacation that day.

Mark,
You okay with non forum members going? The guy that went to Baja with me and Goodtimes might want to go. I asked him about it today. Also, do I need to do anything with the permits or just pay you?

Yeah, buddy!!!!!!

OK, saw-eeeeeettttt!!!!

Nearly everybody on the trip is not a bonafide forum member; no worries, amigo. Frankly, I've got some "green" backpackers coming along, and I think a larger group would be a ton of fun. Particularly since I can make some new friends for future wacky adventures.

While I have the permit applications, I have not sent in the paperwork for the permits yet...just in case something like this would happen. All I have to do is indicate the number of people, send the dinero and we're good. One set of paperwork is good for a group of people, so doing separate permits is not necessary.

It boils down to $5 per person per day for hiking, and $5 per person per night for camping. We'll square up on the trip. No worries.

I figure this:

• Saturday, Sunday, Monday hiking: $15 each
• Saturday and Sunday nights: $10 each
• $25 per person total

Within 2 weeks, though, I'll need to have a hard number of committed trekkers. I'll send in the permit application and money around the 20-23 of February. You guys cool with that?

Chuck, you're down as confirmed. Should your buddy want to come, I'm all for it. Like I said, the other 4 people I have are not forum members either. 3 of them are "green" but heathy/athletic/enthusiastic.

This is getting exciting....!!!!! I'm just happy that some people wanted to come along. Despite that we've never met, Chuck, I'm certain we'll have a ton of fun.

Cheers,
Mark :shakin:

 

[articulate]

Sun and Moon, Rise and Set Time Results

Data for March 13, 2006
At Latitude 37:0.00N and Longitude 111:0.00W
In Time Zone: 7
Daylight Savings Time is Off

cut greek, greek, greek, more greek....


***************************************************

Looks like the moon will be cooperating for the oh-gawd-30 hike out option.

That's positive. I'm glad you looked that up...! While I have no idea how to translate that into how "full" the moon will be and at what location in the sky, I trust that since you approve we're in good shape.

Later,
Mark

 

[goodtimes]

Moon Rise: 17:33
Moon Set: 6:35 Tomorrow
Moon Declination: 12.4
*******************************************

The moon will rise at 5:33pm Sunday afternoon (about one hour before sunset), and will set at 6:35am Monday morning (about the same time as sunrise). It will be 12.4 degrees above the equator, while we will be some 37 degrees above the equator....so it won't travel directly overhead, but rather a lower path across the sky (to the south of us), but there is a full moon one day later (tuesday the 14th), so we should have decent light if we decide on the early hike out.

And no, I didn't know all that crap, I had to have one of my best friends (google) tell me about it. If I can't hit it with a hammer, I don't know much about it....

 

[Ursidae69]

This is getting exciting....!!!!! I'm just happy that some people wanted to come along. Despite that we've never met, Chuck, I'm certain we'll have a ton of fun.

Cheers,
Mark :shakin:

I agree, this is going to be one cool trip. That sat/aerial photo really got me, that last mile or so of winding canyon before the bridge looks cool as hell. Looking forward to meeting you Mark. :archaeolo

 

[Ursidae69]

I was just browsing the info at the Navajo Nation website and it says:

The Navajo Nation is not responsible for any theft or accidents during your visit. Parking your vehicles in isolated areas will not be monitored or surveillanced. You may however, obtain permission to park your vehicles at local residence. They may request a small fee.

I wonder if we could pay someone to watch the cars by parking at their house? I think the trailhead is near some homes, but I'm not certain.

 

[WolfSoul]

Hi Mark,

I'm friends with Chuck and Brian (don't feel sorry for me, feel sorry for them!) and both have told me about this trip, and it sounds awesome! I'll need to do a little finagling (sp?) at work to try to leave early on Friday (the worst day for me to be gone), but it shouldn't be a huge deal. So if I can work that out, I am *DEFINITELY* interested in this. So if there's still an opening, put me into the "almost completely definitely going" category.

If it weren't likely to be so cold, my wife would have wanted to come as well. As it is, (based on my search, low/mid 30's at night) she's hesitant. :-D

Anyway, let me know if there's a slot for me.


Take care,

Brian

 

[articulate]

Hi Mark,

I'm friends with Chuck and Brian (don't feel sorry for me, feel sorry for them!) and both have told me about this trip, and it sounds awesome! I'll need to do a little finagling (sp?) at work to try to leave early on Friday (the worst day for me to be gone), but it shouldn't be a huge deal. So if I can work that out, I am *DEFINITELY* interested in this. So if there's still an opening, put me into the "almost completely definitely going" category.

If it weren't likely to be so cold, my wife would have wanted to come as well. As it is, (based on my search, low/mid 30's at night) she's hesitant. :-D

Anyway, let me know if there's a slot for me.


Take care,

Brian

!Bueno! Glad to have you along.

This sounds excellent; I'll put you down. What a shame your wife doesn't want to come due to the cold nights...but I understand. I say try to talk her into it!

I'm not sure how late you work on Fridays...or how far you have to travel (are you coming from Santa Fe as well?), but come as late as necessary. Friday is just for getting to Tuba City. I've made a hotel reservation at Quality Inn Navajo Nation, (Phone: 928- 283-4545) for one room with 2 queens; Perhaps I should secure another room.

Chuck, Brian, Brian: You guys cool with that?

Chuck, regarding leaving the vehicles near a house and paying, I think that sounds fine. It's probably a gamble since we aren't certain if there are houses near the trailhead. I'm game, though. The worst case scenario is that we park at the trailhead and leave nothing of value in the cars. I'm OK with that.

If you guys want, I'll check on a 15 passenger van rental on Monday. I gather it might approach $350. Frankly, I'm OK with parking my truck at the trailhead. Any other thoughts on this?

In summary: Want me to reserve another room? Thoughts on van rental/vehicle parking?

Cheers, boys!
Mark

 

[Ursidae69]

Wolfsoul lives a few miles from Goodtimes, I'm sure they'll carpool from Tucson. I will probably leave from work around lunchtime and headout. It will be easier for me to go the northern route through Farmington, Shiprock, then follow 160 down to Tuba City. I guess I'll pull into town around 6pm"ish", probably later, it is a pretty scenic drive in places on that route.

On the hotel, I'll call them on Monday. Expedia says that they have some tent camping at that hotel, I might just crash in back of truck if the room rates are high. So, I wouldn't make a reservation for a 2nd room yet. If I make one, I'll post it here so you know.

On the vehicles, I am okay with leaving my truck, I have full covereage. I'll just leave all the goodies out, GPS, Ipod, sat radio, etc. The Ham radio can't be taken out, but I can cover it with a towel or something. Let's just play it by ear, the van thing is too much.

I'm wondering if I should buy my new SLR before this trip! Just not sure I want the extra weight in the pack!

 

[goodtimes]

Mark, I have invited one more person, but no word from him yet. If he comes, it is likely that myself, "the other Brian" and Jeff will all come from tucson together...we'll see. I'll probably be making a later departure than planned earlier, to give Brian and Jeff (if he comes along) more time to get out of work, etc. I'm OK with leaving the trucks at the trail head if that is what we want to do. I just think we should figure it all out before the last second, so we can all plan accordingly (there is no "brazillian" in me).:wavey:

 

[WolfSoul]

Ok, I've done a little playing with my new DeLorme topo software, and I'm going to try to attach a couple of files here. I've reduced them down to fairly small files (about 200k). The originals are closer to 500-700 K, and I'd be more than happy to e-mail them to anyone. I can also email the Delorme Transfer File to anyone who has the DeLorme software.

At any rate, I think I've picked the right trail/route. Mark, let me know if this is the right trail . . . Starting on the SW flank of Navajo Mountain.

One file is a map view of the trail and a profile. The other file is a 3-D view of the trail, as viewed from the west looking east.

Um. Ok. The manage attachments button isn't doing anything. So . . . . I put the files up on my web page. You can get to the files by going to the following URLs: (edit: I compared the small file image with the large file image and couldn't tell the difference, so removed the links to the larger files)

http://www.thebeckoning.com/explorations/hikes/backpacking/rainbowbridge2006/route-profile-sm.jpg

http://www.thebeckoning.com/explorations/hikes/backpacking/rainbowbridge2006/3-d-route-sm.jpg


Goodtimes, I should know tomorrow about what I'll be able to swing for the Friday of the trip. It should be about 6 hours to Tuba City, depending on traffic. Would you be ok for a target of leaving Tucson at around 2pm? I will try to shoot for an earlier start, but think I can at least get that much.



WolfSoul

 

[BMAN]

WOLFY YOU OLD DOG!

Damn, now I wish I COULD make time for this one. How's life treatin ya?