Chiricahua Mountains Expedition (AZ), May 24th-26th

[FurthurOnTheFly]

We have decided to return to the beautiful Chiricahuas for a weekend of camping and hiking, this coming Memorial Day, May 24th-26th. This is a trip we have wanted to do for a while now, as we haven't been there for about 3 years, and hopefully some of you can join us!

Saturday:
Meet at the Love's Truck Stop 730a, depart 800a for Tucson.

Stop in Tucson for pick up, coffee refill, and gas at the Triple T Truck Stop, "Home of Omar's Famous Deep Dish Hot Apple Pie" around 930a, depart by 1000a for Wilcox.

Stop in Willcox for any other southern AZ people, and final gas stop before the wilderness at the Giant, 201 N Haskell Ave, Willcox, AZ (map link not working) around 1100a, depart by 1130a for the Chiricahuas.

Our route in will take us from the 186 to the 181 towards the Chiricahua National Monument. We will then head down Pinery Canyon Trail to find a camping spot for the remainder of the day. We will pass by 3-4 dispersed camping areas so we can play it by ear as to what is available and seems like a nice spot. There are many hiking trails in the area and other cool things to check out. Relax and have fun for the rest of the day.

Sunday:
We will head out after breakfast and continue on the Pinery Canyon Trail to FR 42D, then on to Barfoot Park Trail. We will make a stop to hike up the Barfoot Lookout, then have lunch. This trail continues at a spot that is for "modified 4wd vehicles only" according to the Backcountry Adventures book, so be prepared to possibly do some log-dodging and manuvering. We will continue on until we find another camp spot possibly near Methodist Camp.

Monday:
Head out after breakfast and link up with the Pine Canyon Trail, which ends at the 181. Head back home!

Supplies:
Extra fuel is recommended, at least 5 gallons. Food, firewood, water (1 gal per person, per day), warm clothes for the evenings, hiking gear, camping equipment, and a good attitude! There are many critters known to be in this area including black bears so bring pets at your own risk.

I'm hoping the Chiricahuas are remote enough that people will choose to go to the lake for Memorial Day rather than camp 3 hours from Phoenix but you never know. Because of camping area limitations and it being a popular weekend for people to go out I'm going to limit this run to 10 trucks. Please post up if you plan to go.

CB 16

My phone number: 602-326-7322

Attending:
1. The R2's-Love's
2. Shep+1 Cori, 1 Dylan-Love's
3. Tibaal89-TTT
4. Cactus Cruizer+1 Lauren, 1 Ryan-Love's
5. Trail Monkey (EXPO)+1 Wifey, 2 friends-Love's
6. spertierra (ADV 4x4)-Giant
7. Tmac+1 Wifey, 1 Daughter(?)-TTT
8. cyrus16+1 Wifey-Love's
9. Purple People Eater (EXPO)-TTT
10.1LegLance+1 Nathan, 1 Martin-Love's

Alternate list:
Dedsled
Flyingwil (EXPO)
bigdave(Adv 4x4)

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

So far we have a lot of maybes while folks check their calendars, but it looks like it should be a good run!

Come on expo peeps, don't let SOAZ be completely invaded by FJ's! ROFSheriffHL:

 

[DaktariEd]

FWIW...I attempted the trail down Pine Canyon from Barfoot Park about a year ago.
At about 31˚ 54' 44" N, 109˚ 18' 9" W, the trail was wiped off the face of the earth by the previous years floods.
The photo below was taken at the start of the washout. About 100 yards further downstream, these little "pebbles" become very large boulders and logs. There was no way I could possibly have made it down to Methodist Camp. :safari-rig: It may be possible, but I think you would need some very seriously modified rock crawling rigs to do it.
The trail down to this point is very narrow with only a few areas suitable for multiple vehicles to pass or turn around. :smiley_drive:
If I may suggest, take only a vehicle or two down from Barfoot Park to scout out the trail. A ham radio should still be able to communicate back to the rest of your group.
Let me know what you find!

HTH,
Ed

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Yikes! Thanks for the info, I will do just that and let you know what we find.

 

[tibaal89]

Hey now that's what I'm talking about... adventure into destruction! :rally_guys:

Lot's of maybes coming along, I hope I can make it!

 

[Purple People Eater]

Hmmmmmm.........

 

[flyingwil]

Maybe you guys need to be invaded by a Taco!

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Maybe you guys need to be invaded by a Taco!

Bring it taco taco!

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Hmmmmmm.........

Hmmmmmm???:safari-rig:

 

[Purple People Eater]

Hmmmmmm???:safari-rig:

Here's the thing. I really want to go. But my 21st birthday is on the 19th so I'm already getting a couple days off of work, and getting more would be iffy. Also, I am trying to save my $ for an Old Man Emu suspension. I'm also running 31's with open differentials, and worried about the "I think you would need some very seriously modified rock crawling rigs to do it."

On the other hand, I REALLY WANT TO GO. And to say 'no' to a trip for a modification for trips would be very disappointing. Let's see what a couple days of thinking does to my final decision.

 

[tibaal89]

Here's the thing. I really want to go. But my 21st birthday is on the 19th so I'm already getting a couple days off of work, and getting more would be iffy. Also, I am trying to save my $ for an Old Man Emu suspension. I'm also running 31's with open differentials, and worried about the "I think you would need some very seriously modified rock crawling rigs to do it."

On the other hand, I REALLY WANT TO GO. And to say 'no' to a trip for a modification for trips would be very disappointing. Let's see what a couple days of thinking does to my final decision.

I can't comment about your personal obligations, but I can say for sure since I know the group that is going - do not worry at all about your truck!

The goal is not rock crawling and I'm sure if it comes to that, we will decide on a different route...

Correct me if I'm wrong, Miss R2!

 

[Purple People Eater]

I can't comment about your personal obligations, but I can say for sure since I know the group that is going - do not worry at all about your truck!

The goal is not rock crawling and I'm sure if it comes to that, we will decide on a different route...

Correct me if I'm wrong, Miss R2!

Dually noted.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I can't comment about your personal obligations, but I can say for sure since I know the group that is going - do not worry at all about your truck!

The goal is not rock crawling and I'm sure if it comes to that, we will decide on a different route...

Correct me if I'm wrong, Miss R2!

Mike is exactly right, there should be no carnage on this trip. We should have at least a few winches and recovery items along with this crew so I wouldn't worry about too much. The vast majority of the trail is either graded road or Forest Service roads, and we will for sure be scouting the "iffy" part out as DaktariEd has suggested. If its too crazy or washed out we will find another route out of there. This is a very safe group

I do understand about the time-off thing though...you gotta party for your 21! I'll put you on the maybe list and let us know your decision, we are still a month away!

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Linda and I just got back (4/18/08) from a solo trip through the Chircahua mountains. We entered the area on Fivemile Creek Road and then through Pine canyon to intersect with FR42. The going was very slow with alot of creek crossings (no water). There was plenty of camping sites near the upper end of Pine Canyon, about 1.5 miles from FR42 intersection.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Linda and I just got back (4/18/08) from a solo trip through the Chircahua mountains. We entered the area on Fivemile Creek Road and then through Pine canyon to intersect with FR42. The going was very slow with alot of creek crossings (no water). There was plenty of camping sites near the upper end of Pine Canyon, about 1.5 miles from FR42 intersection.

Hmm, I have never been on that Five Mile Canyon road. Did you enjoy the drive and scenery? Would I be able to tow my KK trailer up that canyon? I like the thought of staying off the primary Pinery Canyon road that is heavily traveled.