Snuck out for a quick 3 day weekend in Az. desert. The place lives up to it's billing. A good time was hadby all... no face plants into the side of the rig this time !!!Hard to get my calorically challenged butt up to the top of the small peak ... will leave the big peak to you mountain goats.... again , a few learned/relearned lessons ...- not a big fan of the potable H20 refill station 5 feet from the poo-poo dump... I wish they wouldn't do that... I have noidea what is going on underground related to leaching.- first time with this 5ver doing a complete darkness set up / hookup... thankful that Northwood is generous with external lighting and storage lighting. Well done ! In the light of day , not bad...our spot a bit skinny , so was pleased I didn't floss the rig with mesquite. - first weekend of using two of magnetized flouresecent green 4 ft. poles //placed in the horseshoe of the hitch... made back - up dead onto the hitch pin a breeze (with just the rear view mirror)...no more yoga position/multiple re-directs to see where the hitch plate aligns. I am a convert. - I wish one of you entrepreneurs would invent a quick release grill for the floor ducting... something that would allow easy access for the dust buster to get the schmootz out of the register. I am too lazy to be unscrewing all of those.... That's enough for now... I made some mistakes , but come out looking bad in the end so I will save those.... I did shimmy up top and clean the three port holes, what a difference !, night skies were bodacious. A nice camp.BTW... which one of you guys put Pink Pinot Grigio in my wine rack !!!! what the... patooey !Charles

Hey Charles; glad you enjoyed another nice camp! The pics are great!I have a favorite state cg, that has the fresh water fill, right after the dump. I am not as concerned about the leaching there, but I know many people leave their camp site to go dump. After dumping, they just pull ahead, using the same hands on the potable water handles, as well as the nice attached white hose that goes in the fill hole.I disconnect camp hose, and use mine, as well as a few added precautions.Great water though!Jerry

Yep Jerry.... your approach is valid... camper in linein front of me did as you describe... I try not to dwellon the badness, just focus on my own "good technique". I do rinse off the pad when I'm done. I am glad the Princess remembered that we did not have H2Oat the site... I tow with only a minimal of "fresh" H20...need to add that to the checklist ! ...one cool feature about this camp... in the distance, a verybusy railroad line runs Tucson - Phoenix and vice versus... I always have enjoyed watching the long lines of rail cars, and thatdistant sound is a favorite. Rates right up there with ocean wavesand thunder storms.CharlesSunset sentinels....

Love Picacho Peak SP. We've hike the whole trail 4 times. We have learned to come in with a full water tank :)

X2 on Picacho Peak SP - Was a nice close-by get away for us as well when we lived in the area back in the 70's... Haven't tent camped there since the 70's but have visited the area taking a break from work trips out that way to the Maricopa area - latest trip there was probably 2009. Nice photos....Roy Ken

Sue and Roy... I agree... for a "nearby" desert camp it is nice... was not overly crowded for a three-day weekend, and one whole loop(C) was closed down. Temps were (daily high) in the mid-80's so maybe just a bit warm for some... perfect for us (T-shirt and shorts).Roy, met a couple that camp there routinely, lived only 5 milesaway.... Sue... I am sometimes pennywise and pound foolish, didn't want to haul 8lb. a gal. H2O to save on fuel... might need to re-think that mindset...it's only money ! Ha!The sunsets were great as were the Mesquite grilled steaks. mmmm. Charles

'nother 5ver weekend in the desert.... Picacho Peak

cdlaine
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
Team,

There was one other thing I wanted to share... mostly for
neophytes (but might be a good reminder for the grizzled
amongst us..)...

Upon arrival , could not get the hitch arm to release the fiver
no matter how hard I pulled. Up/down, and then up/down again with the
front stabilzers and still no budge. I realized the orientation of the
TV to the trailer might be a leading suspect. Pulled forward,
aligned the TV mid-line to the 5ver... put down the stabilizers..re-leveled
and was able to release the hitch bar with one hand.

Moral to the story... looked level , but my set-up seemed "sensitive"
to having the TV and 5ver in the same orientation. Sounds obvious
when I type it now, but in desert darkness it was not my first thought
in the differential diagnosis of the problem.

I hope to remember this axiom... difficulty releasing the hitch is an
indicator of an issue... listen to what your rig is telling you...

Charles
cdlaine
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Steve,

All the low hanging fruit had already been plucked... (ie ,
the bay window faces the Peak), so I was left with, well...
left-overs.

We were in the A-loop...number 15. As with most of the Park system
spots... the "outside" of the loop seemed to be the most cherished.
So as not to be staring into your neighbors bidness.
As mentioned... my 34 ft. 5ver was in one of the tighter pull-thrus,
something to think about arriving after desert dark.

This park is nicely spaced , and mostly level... so I'm thinking ,
most spots would be doable... don't let lack of "prime real estate"
change your visitation plans... great hikes.

Charles
sjturbo
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Nice pic's, love the view. Can you tell me which site you were at?
restlesswind
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Deleted
restlesswind
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
We've been there a couple of times,it's a great park!
Gotta get back there soon. Maybe on our way back to AZ for the winter.
Great pix !
cdlaine
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Hermy,

That would be a long commute for a 3 day weekend ! We are
spoiled... 1 hr. door to beer.

Thomas ...hehehehe , yep... have consumed some Blizzard (Snickers is the drug of choice....
but will do Butterfinger if forced) there on occasion. Burp !

Charles

Sunrise....

Moonrise....
aruba5er
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
The Dairy Queen still across the highway at the gas station? Need a treat after climbing. Isn't it beautiful.
hermy
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
We love Picacho too- one of our favorites. But we have to drive 1300 miles to get there. I'm envious!!
cdlaine
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Sue and Roy...

I agree... for a "nearby" desert camp it is nice... was not
overly crowded for a three-day weekend, and one whole loop
(C) was closed down. Temps were (daily high) in the mid-80's
so maybe just a bit warm for some... perfect for us (T-shirt
and shorts).

Roy, met a couple that camp there routinely, lived only 5 miles
away....

Sue... I am sometimes pennywise and pound foolish, didn't want to
haul 8lb. a gal. H2O to save on fuel... might need to re-think
that mindset...it's only money ! Ha!

The sunsets were great as were the Mesquite grilled steaks. mmmm.

Charles
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2013
X2 on Picacho Peak SP - Was a nice close-by get away for us as well when we lived in the area back in the 70's... Haven't tent camped there since the 70's but have visited the area taking a break from work trips out that way to the Maricopa area - latest trip there was probably 2009. Nice photos....

Roy Ken