Canāt have that if it can be avoided! Must have missed it, but canāt the dates be slid a bit?
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Just as location hasn't been decided, there 's been no agreement on dates, just Rush's suggestion. Over the years we've varied from mid-June to 4th of July weekend. Usually at least a three-day event. Longer weekend of the 4th might make it easier for some dealing with travel and time off and we dealt successfully with holiday crowds at Mr. Rushmore and the Black Hills last year. Probably not that kind of pressure at any of the locations under discussion so far. Other considerations have included Father's Day, this year June 19. Too early in June might run into end of school issues for those with younger families. Heat and lingering snow also location-dependent considerations.
Here are four possible Thurs-Sun weekends in both June and July:
6/3-5
6/10-12
6/17-19
6/24-26
7/1-4 (Holiday weekend and possible extra day)
7/8-10
7/15-17
7/22-24
Here are location suggestions I recall being discussed at various times:
Northern Nevada (post #9 in this thread)
Southern CO/Northern NM (posts 144 and 153)
Camp Hale, CO (10 years on the road... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/10-years-on-the-road.1223196/page-3)
Might be helpful if only those certain they will attend weigh in...understandably there's lots of interest every year but significantly fewer actually show up. As mentioned previously, we're open to any weekend except 6/24-26. Our location preferences in rank order are NV, NM, Camp Hale.
Here are four possible Thurs-Sun weekends in both June and July:
6/3-5
6/10-12
6/17-19
6/24-26
7/1-4 (Holiday weekend and possible extra day)
7/8-10
7/15-17
7/22-24
Here are location suggestions I recall being discussed at various times:
Northern Nevada (post #9 in this thread)
Southern CO/Northern NM (posts 144 and 153)
Camp Hale, CO (10 years on the road... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/10-years-on-the-road.1223196/page-3)
Might be helpful if only those certain they will attend weigh in...understandably there's lots of interest every year but significantly fewer actually show up. As mentioned previously, we're open to any weekend except 6/24-26. Our location preferences in rank order are NV, NM, Camp Hale.
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While Nevada is closer than any Pig Party to date, I have concerns about the terrain. It looks like more of a high desert without much tree cover and the temps can still be pretty warm in June. I would prefer a forest for our destination. I am fine with CO or NM, but I see a lot of the Coloradians looking to get out of their home state. So I guess NM is first choice for me.
bobm
WTF, WTF, WTF!!!!
. I recall 
I like the idea of greenery and forests also especially since I live in Las Vegas. Northern NM could be interesting if it fits that criteria.
bobm
WTF, WTF, WTF!!!!
Rico was Beautiful 
If @J Mack does not want the hassle I would be glad to design the shirts. Not going to make the Pig Party this year unfortunately, as my daughter is with the local youth symphony and if Covid does not shut things down she will be travelling and playing four concerts in Spain Mid June for 11 days. Then of course- since we are there we plan on spending another couple of weeks in in Italy then up to Norway. But, if it is shut down- and we are not able to go, I would cast my vote for either 6/17 or 6/24. NM/Co since it is my original neck of the woods.
This is the first solid idea in this thread, you have great designs and this group should absolutely take you up on your offer!
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
That looks great!!!
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Dates will be from June 22 - June 26
No cuts, no buts, no coconuts.
(Pounding gavel)
Historically, we have stuck to the weekend after Father's day. This lets everyone celebrate Father's Day at home w/ family, and also keeps us clear to celebrate 4th of July. This has worked pretty well and leaves July open for the 4th, BHCC (for those inclined), and keeps us out of the full-on heat of summer.
I know 2020 was a wild card w/ Covid, but I think we have stuck to the above for all the other years (2017-on).
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
And I think it was you that referenced the plans we had to abandon for 2019 when we had planned to base camp up in the mountains E of Salt Lake.
I talked with Kurt a lot about that plan, it sounded like fun.
This could be a good idea, but I have no agenda about location.
We can certainly add NE Utah mountains to the list for consideration. If I remember correctly that was abandoned due to lingering snowpack. Looks like this season is shaping up to be another heavy snow year but who knows what'll still be around June/July.
Not the actual design- just for fun.
4Cruisers
SILVER Star
If you decide on the spot where the rear tire sits on the ground, you're about 20 miles north of my house. Plenty of dispersed camping on Forest Service and BLM land all around there, plus some pretty fantastic scenery and a lot of history. Some pretty neat NPS and BLM managed parks, including the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Bandelier National Monument (my wife and I went there for a hike late yesterday afternoon), and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
Thanks John. All that and some of the best food in the country too! For sure, beautiful country. The Valle Grande is spectacular.
Got a t shirt. Check. Need a location and dates now. Mom called wanting to know if we are planning to be in NM this summer. Told her maybe if my pig buddies decide the pig party is out that way.
4Cruisers
SILVER Star
There are some nice trails back into the National Forest north of my house, with a lot of cliff dwellings. The roads aren't too bad, but are rough enough in spots to require low range 4WD. Beautiful scenery. There are some less rough Forest Service roads on the south flanks and the north flanks of the mountains. On the north side, there's a 32+ mile FS road that can be worked into a two-day loop trip that includes a visit to the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Plenty of high altitude (10,000 foot plus) dispersed camping along that loop.
There are trails around Santa Fe, including some nice easy scenic FS roads west of town, with overlooks into White Rock Canyon along the Rio Grande. Further north in New Mexico there are a lot of remote BLM roads in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, on the west side of the Rio Grande, with nice views across the Rio Grande Gorge to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, including Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.
And Southern Colorado is just north of there.
There are trails around Santa Fe, including some nice easy scenic FS roads west of town, with overlooks into White Rock Canyon along the Rio Grande. Further north in New Mexico there are a lot of remote BLM roads in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, on the west side of the Rio Grande, with nice views across the Rio Grande Gorge to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, including Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.
And Southern Colorado is just north of there.
John, you did the trails around Platoro, right? It sounds like they might be fairly technical but doable. In my opinion (I know, having never attended a pig party) it'd be nice to find some trails that are doable but challenging for an unlocked 55. If it's in northern NM or southern CO, then the scenery will be spectacular.
4Cruisers
SILVER Star
Nothing difficult on the roads up there, at least the ones I went on. I think there's a more challenging road up from the west to Elwood Pass.
