February 15, 2011

Trip #3- Newton Lane to either I-17 or Black Bridge

Here is the Flight Plan for today's trip.


Crew:
J. Parsons
J. Wheeler
Shuttle:
B. Wheeler

Primary Goal:  Newton Lane to Camp Verde Black Bridge.
Fall back Goal: Newton Lane to I-17.

Estimated travel time to Black Bridge: 3 hours.
Highest possible time to Black Bridge: 4 hours

Primary challenge of this stretch:  The Verde Ditch Diversion Dam.  It is the largest dam on the Verde River (except for Horseshoe & Bartlett)
It will be a difficult and long portage.

Secondary challenges:  Strong likelihood of channel blockage(s) due to vegetation

Third Challenge:  Car-body bank stabilization areas.

Distances:  The estimated river distance to I-17 is 3 miles.  The estimated distance from I-17 to Black Bridge is 2 miles.
(Estimation made by using the "line" function on Google Maps.  That's a very rough estimating tool.)

Our average paddling speed on the last trip was 3 mph.  Our overall speed (including portages) was 2.2 mph.

I have inflated the estimated travel times for today's trip because of the uncertainty about portages, channel blockages and other potential portages for car-body hazards.
If the portages go quickly and are fewer than expected, our ETA could be considerably earlier than estimated.

Meeting Time:  10:30 am

Meeting Place: Wendy's Parking Lot (south side)  Wendy's is located at I-17 and Hwy 260 on the NW sector of the interchange.

We will scout the "road" to the lower bench.  If it doesn't look good, we will park up on top and carry the gear down to the river.

ETD: 11:15 to 11:30 am

ETA: 2:30-3:30 pm (Black Bridge)

If it is nearing 2:30 pm and we haven't yet crossed I-17, we will pull out at I-17.

We will rig gear in Nissan at take out and return to Wendy's hopefully no later than 4 pm but probably well before that time.

Many Cheers & Happy Trails!  jp

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