NAZ

[jbeegoode]

There is a PM waiting for you. We have been communicating email and you need to be in the loop, too.

Most of those trails are in the southern end, away from Ken's place. I found one with potential and water. I don't think Ken has been there...yet. He mentioned that other spot that is BYO-Water. I think that we have narrowed it down to those for weekend hiking. They are on Fed land, back into the hills a ways. The water one would probably be one less traveled. Ken's usual area could have a few quads, but not a population problem. The FS office is in Prescott. They won't be called to make the drive. You know that complaint isn't likely statistically. A complaint would require whoever to stop what they are doing in the hills to make a call and meet the police, if the sheriff would make the drive on a back road and hike after us, which is also unlikely. If other people had a mind to complain, they would have to stop their day to meet the law enforcement. The law states clearly that one must cover the genitals, specifically the anus, and women their aureola. Holding something in front of your crotch, even just hands is enough on the trail to comply with the law that could be enforced. There is a reasonable right and expectation of privacy in the law. Reasonable, people would expect some degree of solitude. As long as there is an obvious attempt to comply with the law by covering genitals, there is obviously no attempt to alarm someone else. If we decide to be blatant and not cover, that's one thing. If others would be willing to do quick cover, I'd go along with that, too. I often have stood hands on crotch or some piece of cloth in front of it, obviously having been nude and say something like, "I hope that you aren't offended with nudity." That potentially opens a conversation, usually positive. They more often, in my very small sampling, will say something to put us at ease. All in all the potential for trouble is nil. 

If you bump into a police officer, even off duty, he/she might think that the state laws (there are no local laws) apply. If you bump into a Forest service official, it would be, "Cover 'em up" at the most. Forest Serv guys cruise around in their trucks and are not looking for trouble. They frequent places like rowdy swimming holes, if there has been a history of disturbance, DUI< drunk and disorderly, fighting, disturbing the peace with ridiculousness loud music in the middle of the night, people flashing each other and being lewd.

So, just to be sure, because this is not just DF and me, I have a call in to the local Forest Service Law Enforcement guy and I am awaiting his call back.

DF and I will have through Monday. We will probably be looking into a camping higher up into the Bradshaws around the Havassampa River to explore and camp in more weekday traffic, depending on what we find and the weather.
Jbee

   

[eyesup]

I will rely on you and Ken on that.
You've been doing this in that area for a while.

Are you talking overnight hikes or day hikes?

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Day hikes Saturday, or even Sunday earlier. DF and I may do a Sunday thru Monday overnight backpacking.

I got the call back from the law enforcement for the Forest Service. All that I mentioned above is what it is. They are empowered by the state. The state laws apply, I wasn't sure of this until now, over all the Federal Lands in the state. Someone must make a complaint AND be willing to act as a victim, meaning court, etc., or they won't do anything, but maybe tell us to cover 'em up, or advise us of the law. They pretty much are not concerned other than a known well populated swimmin' hole, or a public area where there are others who may complain.

The "reasonable expectation of privacy" statute muddys up things. He did mention inside tents as an example, but not necessarily a place in the woods. Sheriffs don't patrol, Forest Service Law Enforcement are responsible and it has to be serious stuff for them to do the call. I was forwarded to a message machine and they got back to me the next day.

I told him that DF and I hike nude regularly, but this is a case of people coming from out of state and there would be 6 or 8 of us and we have some responsibility to be sure of the situation.

So, we are not likely to alarm anyone after a short distance away from camping or roads. If we did, if we simply cover the genitals so as not to be seen, even just turn around, we are within the law and they realize that as the law. It is a "high end misdemeanor" to get convicted.

In other words, no worries, just hide the junk from view, rarely will anyone actually care anyway.
Jbee

[eyesup]

Ok. Different preparations between day hikes and backpacking.

I'll assume dayhikes from a base camp.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Yes, unless you'd be up to staying over until Monday.
Jbee

[eyesup]

I realize it's 3 weeks out but what's the weather like this time of year?
I'm seeing upper 80's to low 50's. That about right?

Duane

[kensunwalker]

Every day has been a little different, but the general tend has been down, and today is in the mid-seventies.

[jbeegoode]

Mid seventies! Is that at your place or up on the hill in the Taller trees? What would be the lows? Shudder, DF and I might have to cover up a bit at night. We're generally prepared for about any contingency.

It is always nice in the sun walking with little wind. The trees should create an adequate wind break. If it got chilly unseasonably early, we could drive to lower elevations, like Red Creek. 
Jbee

[eyesup]

Yeah!
I'll need to bring thermal wear if it's that chilly at night.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

I use a rule of thumb of a 30 degree F variance in temperature each day and that more or less covers most Arizona days. Tucson will probably maintain 80's and 90's until the end of October and elevation seems to dictate temperature variation, giving us high 60's 70's way up in the pines and knock 10 or 12 off of Tucson temps for the high grassland Dewey area. And then, flux can happen. There is less chance of monsoon rain as time goes on. It should be wonderful up there, low 50's into the forties before sunrise,  ...

...so, I check the National weather service a few days before I leave. 
Jbee

[eyesup]

If I were on a routine camping trip these would be perfect temps. Being naked, it's a bit low.
But since not much is happening in the night that's manageable.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Standing in the sun and keeping moving, those temps should feel real good to you, my fellow desert rat. DF has little body fat and chills very easily. She just warps a shirt on the upper body if cold, but at those temps, she will probably be very comfortable.
If she can handle it, most anyone would be fine.
Jbee

[kensunwalker]

Spent much of yesterday raking the trail and trimming back the new plant growth, preparing for your visit (nude of course).  I need to clear off another camping area if you are coming Duane, so let me know if I need to get after that.

[jbeegoode]

Yeah!
I'll need to bring thermal wear if it's that chilly at night.

Duane

For those night temps, I have a pair of silks and a pair of thermals. I have a long sleeve T and mah lovely Ghost Whisperer. A pair of thick wool socks. A nice thick sweat jacket and hat have worked well in the past. Then a thirty degree down quilt and DF's warm body for sleeping in those lows. It gets me through to the 30's F when backpacking.

Ken likes drumming. So do we. I sometimes add a washtub bass to the mix. We play with an ad hoc group of didgeridoos called the Sweat Band (we do saunas). Eyesup, how's your campfire rhythm? Would we need to bring firewood?
Jbee

[kensunwalker]

Probably no need to bring firewood.  There is lots of small stuff on the land.