trek to Rainbow Bridge, March 2006 (revised to Sycamore Canyon)
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Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Mark - This trip looks grand! We will be in Death Valley with the Norcal guys and testing out the 80 series LC
Have a great trip - We love that country :camping:
Have a great trip - We love that country :camping:
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
crap. If it is going to be that cold, I need to "aquire" some gear...I have virtually no cold weather gear, and virtually no wet-weather gear. At this point, the dog is going to have to stay home.....my bivy isn't big enough for her, and I'm not going to leave her out in the snow all night (I'm mean, but not THAT mean!).
WolfSoul
Observer
Narrow canyons and rain?
Maybe, as a hydrologist for a flood control district, I'm overly cautious, but rain and hiking in narrow canyons does not appeal to me. We have pictures of what happens to such people here. :-|
I can picture the headlines now: Pima County Flood Expert Washed Away! :-D
I'm not generally one to let rain stop a trip, (hiking in rain *CAN* be fun) but given the terrain, it may not be wise to be hiking there. I wonder how much rain is likely . . .
Maybe, as a hydrologist for a flood control district, I'm overly cautious, but rain and hiking in narrow canyons does not appeal to me. We have pictures of what happens to such people here. :-|
I can picture the headlines now: Pima County Flood Expert Washed Away! :-D
I'm not generally one to let rain stop a trip, (hiking in rain *CAN* be fun) but given the terrain, it may not be wise to be hiking there. I wonder how much rain is likely . . .
Ursidae69
Traveller
I attached the weather from www.weather.com for the Rainbow Bridge Nat Mon.
It has improved slightly, with Monday being not quite as bad. You know how weather is, it might change over the next few days leading up to the trip. But, it's still not looking good and I didn't even think about the whole slot canyon safety issue.
It has improved slightly, with Monday being not quite as bad. You know how weather is, it might change over the next few days leading up to the trip. But, it's still not looking good and I didn't even think about the whole slot canyon safety issue.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Hmph.Ursidae69 said:
Well, thanks for posting it up. I suppose we have to hang in there for the next couple of days. If it is raining, I'm afraid that's going to cancel the trip. boo hoo. I'm prepared for the cold, but we all know the danger of slot canyons when it rains.
We need a smiley with his fingers crossed.
I've got someone flying into town for this one, too. Regardless, I'll be backpacking somewhere this weekend.
Mark
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
Mark, lets quickly come up with "Plan B". I REALLY want to do the original hike, but the weather may say no. If the weather is cold, I will have to spend alot of $$$ for gear that I will rarely use (I'd prefer not to do this...I like what little $$$ I have to be spent on things I will get alot of use from). Lets have plan B, just in case we need it. Like you, I intend on backpacking *somewhere* this weekend!!!!!!
WolfSoul
Observer
I'm going to be busy tonight, but late tonight I'll try to post some alternatives. It looks like there's only a 10% chance of rain in Phoenix and Tucson this weekend, so I'll be focusing on southern AZ.
One place off the top of my head is the Eagletail Wilderness. No water there though, if I remember right.
With a large group like we'll have, the Pajarita Wilderness, (right down on the Mexico border) becomes a safer option. It's a relatively small area, and a fairly short hike, but supposedly a really nice area. Kicker there is that there's some potential for feet wet in one or two spots, depending on how much water is there. As dry as it's been down here lately, we might be ok though. I think there's a biological station there, so if I can find a number for them, I'll give them a ring to find out the water situation.
One place off the top of my head is the Eagletail Wilderness. No water there though, if I remember right.
With a large group like we'll have, the Pajarita Wilderness, (right down on the Mexico border) becomes a safer option. It's a relatively small area, and a fairly short hike, but supposedly a really nice area. Kicker there is that there's some potential for feet wet in one or two spots, depending on how much water is there. As dry as it's been down here lately, we might be ok though. I think there's a biological station there, so if I can find a number for them, I'll give them a ring to find out the water situation.
articulate
Expedition Leader
DUDE!!!! Sweeet!!!WolfSoul said:
Southern Arizona sounds great. I was thinking the same thing for an alternative...although it's pretty dang far for Chuck. If you would check out the Pajarita Wilderness for us, I'd be greatful. If the hike is short, we can pare the trip down to a single night and hit some killer Mexican food on the way home. Hmmmm?
I'm getting excited about the alternative, too! I made a little goal that I would do the Rainbow Bridge hike in 2006, so I will be going there in Fall if this one falls through.
Mark
articulate
Expedition Leader
Yeah, sorry about that.Ursidae69 said:
Although Rainbow Bridge isn't 100% cancelled YET. The fat lady has not sung. The worm is still in the bottle.
On another note, I've heard excellent things about the Gila Wilderness area of New Mexico. Hot springs!!!!
Let's plan it up!
Mark
Ursidae69
Traveller
articulate said:Yeah, sorry about that.
Although Rainbow Bridge isn't 100% cancelled YET. The fat lady has not sung. The worm is still in the bottle.
On another note, I've heard excellent things about the Gila Wilderness area of New Mexico. Hot springs!!!!
Let's plan it up!
Mark
I was planning on doing some Gila trips this summer. That depends on whether or not the forest closes though. I plan to go to the Blues Festival Memorial Day weekend in Silver City, party it up, then head up in the Gila and camp for a few days pending fire restrictions. :ylsmoke:
articulate
Expedition Leader
I have a feeling that we're screwed: screwed by the weather
Sorry guys.
I'm into exploring the Parajita Wilderness, though. Here's a page for one of the two hikes involved out there: Sycamore Canyon.
The area seems like it's pretty cool. Thoughts?
Mark
Sorry guys.
I'm into exploring the Parajita Wilderness, though. Here's a page for one of the two hikes involved out there: Sycamore Canyon.
The area seems like it's pretty cool. Thoughts?
Mark