[azdesertfather]

In hiking the Arizona Trail segment with some other HAZers a couple of days ago, I started wondering if anyone has done the "Elden Ridgeline"...basically starting off Heart Trail and following Elden's ridgeline over and reconnecting with the Elden Lookout Trail #4. Looks doable...anyone tried it before?

[hippiepunkpirate]

There's a trail called Sunset #23 that follows the ridgeline (known as the catwalk). It's a nice section of trail. The Sunset actually starts near Schultz Tank at the Sunset TH.

[hippiepunkpirate]

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=367
Check out the map on the hike page too

[tonyp]

To be clear, the Heart Trail does, in fact, march right up the slope to connect with the Sunset Trail (which is totally worth the climb).

I would definitely inquire about how much is open around Schultz Tank. That area was in the heart of the fire.

[hippiepunkpirate]

I would definitely inquire about how much is open around Schultz Tank. That area was in the heart of the fire.

Oh, Dave knows....

[azdesertfather]

yeah ...

For those who don't, here's the latest:

Flagstaff, AZ —The Schultz Fire Area Closure and Cinder Lakes Flood Area Closure have both been extended until December 31, 2010. The Schultz Fire Area Closure includes the popular fall color destinations of Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin. The Cinder Lakes Flood Area includes a southwestern corner of Cinder Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Area and national forest land east of Fernwood subdivision.

One of the greatest safety concerns within the Schultz Fire area is the hazard of dead trees falling over, which will be a safety issue for a long time. The following trails and roads are within the closure area:

* Schultz Pass Road (FR 420, north of Schultz Pass/Schultz Tank)
* Lockett Meadow Road (FR 552)
* Waterline Road (FR 146)
* Elden Springs Road (FR 556)
* Little Bear Trail
* Little Elden Trail
* Deer Hill Trail
* Inner Basin Trail
* Lockett Meadow Campground and Little Elden Springs Horse Camp

Because of drainage structures constructed to relieve flooding, the Cinder Lakes area is compromised by wet, unstable cinder surface. Public safety officials urge people to stay out of this closure area for their own safety and to avoid the need for rescue. Most of the Cinder Hills OHV area is still open and accessible through Sunset Crater National Monument/Forest Road 545. Access to the City of Flagstaff landfill is still open.

Violation of these closures is punishable by a fine of up to $5000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.

The Schultz Fire Closure and map is posted at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/nepa/f ... 0-11-f.pdf

The Cinder Lakes-Schultz Flood Closure and map is posted at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/nepa/f ... 0-10-F.pdf

For more information, call Peaks Ranger Station Monday-Friday at 928-526-0866.

[coanbru]

Violation of these closures is punishable by a fine of up to $5000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.

Hmmmm

[azbackpackr]

I just wish there was a CLEAR set of stats for doing Heart Trail to the ridge the normal way, so I don't have to try to mess with it with my limited GPS/route uploading skills.

What I mean is, you park at Sandy Seep TH on 89. To get to Heart Trail, you hike Sandy Seep to AZT/Little Elden. Then you hike up Heart Trail just to top of ridge, look at the view, and hike back down. How far is that? To me, that is what the dang stats for Heart Trail ought to indicate. From what I can gather, the stats only indicate how far it is once you have turned off onto the Heart trail from the Little Elden Trail, so then you have to figure in Little Elden and Sandy Seep as well, (seeing as I can't fly.)

Just in a complaining mood, I guess.

[Jim_H]

The existing stats are pretty much from the Sandy Seep junction to the ridge, but adding in the access trail isn't hard. It is 400 additional feet from the 6900' TH to the junction at 7300', plus the 1500' to the ridge, that is 1900'.

[azbackpackr]

Ok. Thanks! Now I have something else to complain about--too busy to hike today.