kaspily

Very basic knowledge for me. Used garmin gps but always highway. Looking to learn how to choose correct map on Backcountry Navigator. How to use it when off wifi in the wilderness. How to lay out tracks at home to follow on the trail.

So still can't get a freakin permit for the Grand Falls trip. Got a call from the Navaho Parks and Rec who now claim the fee is $12. I had sent a money order for $10. They don't take CC so I have to send a $2 money order to: Navaho Parks and Rec, PO Box 2520, Window Rock, AZ 86515. They evidently want to make it challenging for anyone to visit. Hoping to get this permit before the trip in September. Would be awesome if their website had the correct address and fee information. -Sarah

Well I use a detailed pack list in Excel that I update before the time depending on how long the trip is and the weather. I even have a pack list for a day trip. Then I use this a day or so before and lay everything out in one bedroom. The night before we full load the jeep. Where I went wrong this last time is my tent was in the office and not in the normal "camping storage" room. Unloading.... that night haul out the perishables. Next day take care of the rest. We normally get home so late and are to tired to deal with all the bags/laundry.

We had a wonderful trip despite forgetting our tent and leaving our garage door open. We sure were in a hurry to leave town and escape!! I love being up in the pines and about 30 degrees cooler than Tucson! Link to complete album: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/20140614RimRoad?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKi1lO7ljKGffQ&feat=directlink Some picture Highlights: The Meet Up Spot on FR 300 Let the dust roll!! Heading towards the first scenic overlook. Made a great spot for family photos: We then departed and continued to follow FR 300. The views were amazing. I discovered I needed to use my little camera for shots while the jeep is moving. Too hard to hold on to the big camera. We turned left towards the General Springs Cabin for lunch. Then the majority of the group went on a hike to the railway tunnel. After the group got back together we headed for the beautiful campsite. Clayton was so tired the next morning. I think he stayed up all night to guard the jeep. We then hit the trail toward the buck springs cabin and the fire tower. I am pretty sure Clayton stuck his tongue out at me!! We stopped briefly at a stream and Moose got to go swiming. We also found some rock climbers and their pet goats. Then we were off on a super dusty trail to the fire tower. I was all enthusiastic to climb the tower forgetting that I had a fear of heights. Big thanks to Karen for being my cheerleader on the way up and down!! The way back down I think was more scary! I got to drive the fun bumpy section between the tower and the doppler station. Chris stole the Jeep back for the decent down to the air-up spot. Thanks again for a great tip!! It was a lovely escape!

Thanks for the great trip report. I love the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Yes, we are bringing our cattle dog. They just need to be people friendly pets

Happy Birthday!!

I just got a call for the Navaho Permit lady (I checked the Little Colorado River box and mailed it to Cameron, AZ) that they no longer "cover" the grand falls area. She is mailing my check back and told me to call 928-686-3227 for more info. Anyone else run into this? -Sarah

We are both trying to get Friday off. If we can't we'll be up really late on Friday and will set up camp then. I already sent the request for the permit in today. Please add us to the salsa contest. I also can help you with the raffle again this year. Looking forward to this fun event!

We were too busy shopping and I didn't actually take any pictures! We had an excellent time however! A very relaxing weekend for us.

Count us in. Sarah & Chris

I will have my hat on

Anyone going to the overland Expo in Flagstaff on 05/16, 05/17, or 05/18? Chris and I are going up for Saturday day-pass only. Hoping to find a good deal on a bear proof cooler. Link to the event: http://www.overlandexpo.com/

Just sent you my order through private message. Thanks!

Had a wonderful trip. Nice to meet some new faces. One of my new favorite camping spots. Link to complete album: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/20140419RedCreek?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI2n6M7Xi92KnAE&feat=directlink Link to highlights album: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/20140419RedcreeekFacebook?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK6-rdb83-_dhAE&feat=directlink Some of my favorite photos: Dianne playing in the roots section of the trail Playing on the optional rock obstacle Verde River next to camp spot Plane coming in and landing Sorry I don't have time to post up more at the moment.

I got an email saying they are about to release the newest Funtreks guidebook for trails in California. If you order now it saves you about $10. They also have a seperate option to get the tracks and maps for your GPS devices. Link to the site: http://www.funtreks.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=23&Itemid=393&utm_source=FunTreks+Publishing+List&utm_campaign=c4bbd6bf97-California_3_12_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_04fa7d60cc-c4bbd6bf97-312518037 Email Read: New California Guidebook! Pre-Order now and save on the new Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails. This book replaces two black-and-white books that were long overdue for updates. We redrove everything and completely redesigned the book in our new concealed spiral format. We eliminated closed trails and selected the best 100 from the remaining list. We think these trails are, collectively, the best batch of California trails ever put together in one place. Whether you are a newcomer to 4-wheeling or an experienced veteran, we guarantee you'll have fun. Features: New full-color, easy-to-read layout. 100 guaranteed FUN off-highway adventures rated easy, moderate and difficult. Concealed spiral binding with heavy-duty plastic laminate cover for durability. ATV, UTV and motorcycle-use friendly. Maps now include detailed relief backgrounds. Historical highlights in trail descriptions.

Chris and I always enjoy exploring the Superior, AZ area. Complete Photo Album Here: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/20140308Superior?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMe0sJCx8fr8rAE&feat=directlink Link to the My Tracks I took: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzSqbx2oXTdObDkyTnpocFg0cHc/edit?usp=sharing We started off checking out the Ray Mine Overlook. I knew it was a big mine but didn't realize how big. The giant trucks looked like toys from the overlook. Historic Marker talks about how this mine swallowed up one town when the copper was found. We previously knew the town of Ray, AZ was also wiped out but didn't know this mine also took out Sonora, AZ: After checking out the mine we drove back up to Battle Axe Rd and headed out to check out the spur trails. Lots of them were unfortunately blocked by Asarco "No Trespassing" signs. Pesky mines! Up a rocky shelf road. Great views at the top...and a gate blocking our way. So we turned around and headed back into the wash and into a rock garden. There was a slight trickle of water down this area. The first obstacle was a very tight squeeze for our wide WJ. We felt the right front bumper scrape and had to back up and try a slightly different line. One slight scratch. My husband failed to prove he needed the new bumper "right now". Guess he'll try harder in the future. Shady spot As the wash progressed the guys stopped to check out a waterfall on the left that might be a fun way out. It turned out to be too tough and George upon further investigation found the trail was blocked by large trees some ways up. Small step down: We parked shortly after this in a shady spot and decided to walk down the canyon to investigate. It became challenging very quickly. Looked like buggies had come through but we couldn't make it. The rocks were really interesting and the trickle of water a rare treat. We came to a man made dam with a pipe sticking out. The bees had made a home here. I didn't think if I went over the dam I would get back up it so Chris and I stopped our hike here. The rest continued on. We made our slow steady hike back up the boulders to our lunch spot. It was a beautiful day and the breeze was lighter in the lunch spot. After lunch we turned around and decided to investigate a spur trail out of the wash. But first we had to climb back out the step and through that lovely squeeze area. My husband's second chance at a new bumper! Looking back at where we came from: The trail wound through the hills and eventually dropped us down into a large wash. We were curious to see if this would lead us back to the highway or a new way out. Instead we found a very full and fast moving Gila River. No crossing point on the other side even if we were dumb enough. The group walked down the shoreline for a while and checked the maps. Unfortunately it didn't look like there was a crossing or a way back to the highway. So we turned around and retraced our route back to Battle Axe Rd. We had a great time and really appreciate everyone leading this trip. On the way home (while I was fast asleep) our Jeep hit a new milestone: Thanks again to ORP for another fun adventure!

I would add that when traveling in a foreign country it is a great idea to register yourself in advance with the US Embassy or Consulate. You'll also get travel alerts while in country. It is easy to do at https://step.state.gov/step/ That way in case there is a natural disaster or you end up in jail the US Embassy knows who to notify back here in the states. Also a great idea to write down the US Embassies contact info for emergency help and give a copy of your passport to a loved one in case your passport gets stolen..... Okay I will get off my work soapbox

Here is link to the complete photo album: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/2014Quartzite?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_n1fPZlo6o-wE&feat=directlink Started off in Quartzite on some dusty trails and then into a narrow canyon: Arriving at Dripping Springs. Neat area with lots of petroglyphs, a little water coming out, and a nice beehive that Chris and I moved quickly away from. Found lots of bones near the water. Wondered where the mountain lion was After lunch we moved on to explore some of the mines in the area: Checking out the cabin and the items that were left here: Morning sunrise at camp: The next day we made our way over to Harquahala Peak. Really scenic and steep 10 mile road to the top. "Hope" trail leading for the last mile or so on the last really steep section: Nice shot of Chris at the top: WJ Parking: Site of the observatory: On our way back down we explored another mining camp off a spur trail: After exploring the dam and the various cabins at the site we made our way back up the spur trail to the main road. Then on to campsite at the bottom of the mountain: Looking down on the main camp group with the full moon setting: On the last day we quickly checked out the Black Rock Mine: Chris and I had another great time. It was a pleasure meeting some new faces on this trip. Thanks to ORP for another fun trip!

Thank you again for a great trip. It was a pleasure meeting everyone. I also enjoyed stealing my husband's Jeep and adding to the trail rash it has Only a few photos as I was driving. Lunch Time: On our way out it was a nice surprise to run into a friend on the trail: Clayton enjoyed dipping his toes in the Verde River:

Which direction are you running the trail? Oracle, Az to Catalina/Tucson side, AZ or the other way? Thanks for the info!

Any recomendation on a safe tent heater? We normally have the dog and don't want him tipping something over. -Sarah

Thanks for sharing. Nice pics! Chris and I are thinking of joining the Offroad Sierra group this Saturday for Chimney Rock. Will you be going?

Please sign me up as the driver. Chris gets to "navigate" this run!

Here are some of my favorites from the Holiday Party: Thank you all for yet another great adventure!