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Remote Gem of the Mazzies by jacobemerick Overview Remote trail in the Mazatzal Wilderness that ascends Wet Bottom Mesa into a rare, unburnt forest of pines before dropping into Bull Spring Canyon. Western few miles may be used to connect Verde River and Highwater Trail, the rest is seldom traveled. Hike Reaching the western end of this trail is difficult. The simplest approach is to park at the end of FR18 (high-clearance), hike the length of Red Creek (over 4 miles), cross the Verde River at Red Creek Rapids (no bridge), and then follow a short section of Verde River Trail to the trailhead. Other approaches would include hiking longer distances of Verde River or Highwater that could make for excellent multi-day adventures. This trail was not designed for easy access. Once at the western end, Wet Bottom Trail makes a steady climb up the tip of Wet Bottom Mesa. Over the first few miles it gains 700' by utilizing a few convenient hills and some switchbacks. There are large cairns to mark the way and some great views north of Table Mountain and Squaw Butte. At 2 miles the trail drops slightly onto a depression on the mesa and a signed junction with Highwater Trail shows up. The tread remains well-defined beyond the junction, with a few cairns to mark the way eastward, though at 2.3 miles the surrounding terrain changes. Hills began to rise where the mesa was once flat and the trail slides along the north side, sweeping in and out along the numerous drainages. It mostly tracks the contour lines until 3.8 miles, when it cuts south and climbs a shaded drainage with plenty of pines, picking up a few hundred feet before entering a valley of catclaw and mesquite. Getting through this valley without bleeding may be a challenge, though if you're hiking the Mazatzals this is an accepted part of the journey. At 4.3 miles the tread firms up on the far side and climbs steeply along a drainage, gaining 400' as it crosses two rocky washes. Once it crests the saddle on top there is a brief respite, a short bit of following the contour along a semi-defined route, and then at 5.3 miles the trail begins to climb the growing ridgeline to the south, swinging in and out of drainages, choked by plentiful growth, and finding a way forward often means embracing game paths. This section is difficult and will take plenty of time to do safely. At 7.2 miles the grade begins to lessen (though it is still present) and junipers surrounded by fields of grass began to show up, a welcome respite from the thicker vegetation of earlier. The cairns are often large enough to make out in the grass ahead. That ridgeline that the trail had spent so much time dancing along is crested and huge views open up to the south, including Midnight Mesa, Wet Bottom Creek, and even Mazatzal Peak in the far distance. Up here the trail may be difficult to track, yet it barely matters, with so much to see and such open area. The highpoint of the trail is reached and a spur trail to Childer's Seep show up around 9.1 miles. Unfortunately, this also marks the edge of the Willow Fire, and burn damage will begin to fade in, soon reaching devastating levels. After the spur there is one short drop into a drainage, one that has some rock tanks just off-trail for a possible source, and then a quick climb on the other side. Once past the drainage there is a good view down at Bull Spring Canyon at 9.7 miles before a steady drop down to LF Cabin and Bull Spring Trail, where one can continue east to the more traveled parts of the wilderness. Water Sources The only dependable water source is on the far eastern end of the trail, Bull Trap Spring, located next to LF Cabin. Otherwise there are some drainages along the trail that may hold water, or a short venture off-trail will lead to Childer's Seep, Canyon Creek, or Bull Spring. Camping LF Cabin in Bull Spring Canyon would make for an excellent campsite. Also, there are a few spots along the trail, especially on the western half, with fire rings and flat pads for dry campsites. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Wet Bottom Trail #269
I parked at the Horseshoe with my mountain bike and rode it over to the Sheep Bridge.
I hiked the Verde River trail. There's been trail maintence done since the last time I was here. What's interesting is that the maintenance stopped at the county border (right by the Wet Bottom wash).
Soon after I hit the Wet Bottom intersection. I took the Verde trail to the Verde river. True to the Mazatal style, as soon as the trail dropped into a wash, the cairins and the trail disappeared. I used my GPS's to try to locate the trail. I could see a corral accross the river on top of a hill. I had to fight my way through some dense bamboo to get to the river. I didn't hit a good crossing spot. I turned around and headed back to the Wet Bottom trail.
I took the Wet Bottom trail to the Highwater trail and had lunch.
After lunch I went down a little further down the Highwater and the Wet Bottom trails before heading back to the Sheep Bridge.
On the way back I could see the landing strip accross the Verde. I also did a little bit of the Willow Spring trail so I could maybe get a better view of the snow capped mountains to the East.
The temps were very cool during the majority of the day. The sun poked out so a little bit around 5. It also drizzle of and on for a portion of the day. The Verde river trail may be faint in spots, but there's cairns every 100 feet or so.
I got to use my new bike light on the ride back to the dam. It's alot brighter than my flashlight.It's as bright as a cars headlight.
I don't think I'll mountain bike and hike in the same day. There's to much logistics doing both and it also just too tiring.
I hiked the Verde River trail. There's been trail maintence done since the last time I was here. What's interesting is that the maintenance stopped at the county border (right by the Wet Bottom wash).
Soon after I hit the Wet Bottom intersection. I took the Verde trail to the Verde river. True to the Mazatal style, as soon as the trail dropped into a wash, the cairins and the trail disappeared. I used my GPS's to try to locate the trail. I could see a corral accross the river on top of a hill. I had to fight my way through some dense bamboo to get to the river. I didn't hit a good crossing spot. I turned around and headed back to the Wet Bottom trail.
I took the Wet Bottom trail to the Highwater trail and had lunch.
After lunch I went down a little further down the Highwater and the Wet Bottom trails before heading back to the Sheep Bridge.
On the way back I could see the landing strip accross the Verde. I also did a little bit of the Willow Spring trail so I could maybe get a better view of the snow capped mountains to the East.
The temps were very cool during the majority of the day. The sun poked out so a little bit around 5. It also drizzle of and on for a portion of the day. The Verde river trail may be faint in spots, but there's cairns every 100 feet or so.
I got to use my new bike light on the ride back to the dam. It's alot brighter than my flashlight.It's as bright as a cars headlight.
I don't think I'll mountain bike and hike in the same day. There's to much logistics doing both and it also just too tiring.
2012-04-14 topohiker
Wet Bottom Trail #269
Red Crk - Wet Btm - Highwater - Verde 11
As Joe mentioned in his Triplog, the drive in was pretty long. From the Seven Springs Rec Area it's 1hr 15min (the way I drive.. you may need to add some time to your trip). FR 24 is in great shape to Seven Spring Rec Area, and good shape to FR269. FR269 is also in good shape, with just a couple of shallow creek crossings. FR 18 requires High clearance.
I knew this was going to be a special day. Hiking with Joe when he's had very little sleep is a treat. First example reared it's head on the drive in on FR24 in the dark. Some "Bears", next to the side of the road, were getting ready to run in front of my truck. The "Bears" were Horses. Example 2, (and there were many more on the day), hiking down Red Creek, Joe jumped 2 feet in the air screaming with the pitch of a 12 year old girl, because he almost stepped on a Tarantula the size of his fist. He was in no fear of being bitten by the leaf.
Now for the hike....
The Red Creek portion was an easy hike. This was a cool area with a gentle flowing creek that meanders all the way to the Verde. This area looks popular for Quads. We only saw one nice couple in a quad all day. Not nice enough to give us a ride back up to our truck at the end of the day though.
We made our way to the Corral and foundation for an old building. Joe took a nap, and I did a little exploring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEaMX6D ... playnext=1
After a stop to the pay toilet, it was time to cross the Verde. I zipped off the legs on my pants and put on my sandals. While I was crossing I was filming Joe crossing. The current ripped off one Sandal and then the other while I was trying to keep the camera dry. The remainder of my trip across on the slippery green rocks and 40 degree water was barefoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPnoMrzS ... ature=plcp
After drying off and contemplating how I was going to cross back over with no Sandals in another 10 miles, we started our way up the steepest part of the hike for the day. It started on the Verde River Trail #11 to the Wet Bottom Trail #269. This portion of the hike was in great shape and the views were to die for!!
We next met up with the Highwater trail #20 for our trek North to meet the Verde River Trail #11 again. A GPS track from here on out is highly recommended. There were many cairns out there, but when it seemed you needed one most, there was none to be found. For the most part the trail was easy to follow, until it made is turn to the west to meet the Verde River Trail.
We chose the path of least resistance for the most part here, roughly following the GPS track I'd traced.
The next decision we had was where to cross the River again. Joe waded in and tried one possibility. I walked back down South a bit, and ultimately chose to cross in the knee deep rapids area.
After a late lunch it was time to make the march south on the Verde River Trail.
**Note** When leaving the River basin area, and trying to find your way up the Verde River Trail, there is a 20' pole with a yellow reflector. This marks the entrance to the overgrown climb up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEDwiQQM ... ature=plcp
The Verde River Trail was also very faint in spots and required a GPS track. At one point the clouds opened up casting incredible shadows on the surrounding mountains. WOW....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHr_JoK ... ature=plcp
We finally caught a break and the trail turned into a faint two track that had not been used in 50-60 years. We caught this all the way back to the Red Creek Trail.
The last 45 min up Red Creek to the truck were by Headlamps.
What a great day in an area I've been eyeing for sometime.
Thanks for keeping it interesting Joe-Joe.
I knew this was going to be a special day. Hiking with Joe when he's had very little sleep is a treat. First example reared it's head on the drive in on FR24 in the dark. Some "Bears", next to the side of the road, were getting ready to run in front of my truck. The "Bears" were Horses. Example 2, (and there were many more on the day), hiking down Red Creek, Joe jumped 2 feet in the air screaming with the pitch of a 12 year old girl, because he almost stepped on a Tarantula the size of his fist. He was in no fear of being bitten by the leaf.
Now for the hike....
The Red Creek portion was an easy hike. This was a cool area with a gentle flowing creek that meanders all the way to the Verde. This area looks popular for Quads. We only saw one nice couple in a quad all day. Not nice enough to give us a ride back up to our truck at the end of the day though.
We made our way to the Corral and foundation for an old building. Joe took a nap, and I did a little exploring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEaMX6D ... playnext=1
After a stop to the pay toilet, it was time to cross the Verde. I zipped off the legs on my pants and put on my sandals. While I was crossing I was filming Joe crossing. The current ripped off one Sandal and then the other while I was trying to keep the camera dry. The remainder of my trip across on the slippery green rocks and 40 degree water was barefoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPnoMrzS ... ature=plcp
After drying off and contemplating how I was going to cross back over with no Sandals in another 10 miles, we started our way up the steepest part of the hike for the day. It started on the Verde River Trail #11 to the Wet Bottom Trail #269. This portion of the hike was in great shape and the views were to die for!!
We next met up with the Highwater trail #20 for our trek North to meet the Verde River Trail #11 again. A GPS track from here on out is highly recommended. There were many cairns out there, but when it seemed you needed one most, there was none to be found. For the most part the trail was easy to follow, until it made is turn to the west to meet the Verde River Trail.
We chose the path of least resistance for the most part here, roughly following the GPS track I'd traced.
The next decision we had was where to cross the River again. Joe waded in and tried one possibility. I walked back down South a bit, and ultimately chose to cross in the knee deep rapids area.
After a late lunch it was time to make the march south on the Verde River Trail.
**Note** When leaving the River basin area, and trying to find your way up the Verde River Trail, there is a 20' pole with a yellow reflector. This marks the entrance to the overgrown climb up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEDwiQQM ... ature=plcp
The Verde River Trail was also very faint in spots and required a GPS track. At one point the clouds opened up casting incredible shadows on the surrounding mountains. WOW....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHr_JoK ... ature=plcp
We finally caught a break and the trail turned into a faint two track that had not been used in 50-60 years. We caught this all the way back to the Red Creek Trail.
The last 45 min up Red Creek to the truck were by Headlamps.
What a great day in an area I've been eyeing for sometime.
Thanks for keeping it interesting Joe-Joe.
2012-01-21 The_Eagle
Wet Bottom Trail #269
Red Crk - Wet Btm - Highwater - Verde 11
Bruce and I have been talking about some sort of Verde #11 hike for about a year. Bruce planned up a sweet looking route and I was very excited to go. After an hour and fourteen minutes sleep it was game on and out the door. The drive is pretty darn long. This was my first time out past Sears Kay. Albeit dark it was cool to cross creeks and see the large trees in the drainages.
The hike started at about 35 degrees. The hike down Red Creek was enjoyable. The constant creek crossings do wear after constant repetition, nevertheless a wonderful riparian area.
Down near the Verde River Bruce went to check out the area while I took a ten minute nap to regain consciousness after virtually no sleep the night before the hike. I brought Tevas for the river crossing. It was cold and swift but only knee deep at worst. A breeze compared to my Aug 2000 crossing about fourteen miles up river at the Hot Springs. That was waist to chest high and jet force dangerous at the time. While this was stinging cold I warmed up quickly after immediately drying off my feet.
The Wet Bottom Trail segment we hiked was awesome with incredible vistas. The Highwater Trail was my least favorite of the day and seemed more drab. I was pretty tired so that probably played into it. Looking at a map I realize we crossed "Pete's Cabin Mesa". Perhaps this has something to with Richard sending Bob and I to find "Pete's Pond" in the past?
The route finding got ridiculous where Highwater is suppose to meet Verde #11. I was starving, tired headachy and just a joy I'm sure. Did our best to find the trail with the loaded track. There are a few cairns but spaced thin and in between looks virtually untraveled for stretches. After finally getting across the Verde again a much needed late lunch was enjoyed. Albeit overcast for the day the forecasted winds never really kicked in and all we experienced thus far were sprinkles. At lunch the sky turned kinna nasty. There were rolling dark clouds and it appeared the Piper was demanding payment.
We lucked out in more ways than one. There was actually a trail so that perked up the spirits. It wasn't great but better than the last couple hours. The kicker was the breaking clouds and an incredible light show dancing through the jaw dropping vistas. Nearing Red Creek again I was running out of energy so I started hitting the GU then later the Hammer. I was back in the saddle and felt zippy for the hike up Red Creek. We ended in head lamps but the weather was storybook so it didn't matter. On the way in I cached a "No Fear" slip over black jacket (2.4mi down on right/south that could only be seen heading back) I've had since high school and somehow failed to locate on the return. So that was sort of a bummer. Otherwise this was one FANTASTIC hike! Credit Bruce for another winner!!!
The hike started at about 35 degrees. The hike down Red Creek was enjoyable. The constant creek crossings do wear after constant repetition, nevertheless a wonderful riparian area.
Down near the Verde River Bruce went to check out the area while I took a ten minute nap to regain consciousness after virtually no sleep the night before the hike. I brought Tevas for the river crossing. It was cold and swift but only knee deep at worst. A breeze compared to my Aug 2000 crossing about fourteen miles up river at the Hot Springs. That was waist to chest high and jet force dangerous at the time. While this was stinging cold I warmed up quickly after immediately drying off my feet.
The Wet Bottom Trail segment we hiked was awesome with incredible vistas. The Highwater Trail was my least favorite of the day and seemed more drab. I was pretty tired so that probably played into it. Looking at a map I realize we crossed "Pete's Cabin Mesa". Perhaps this has something to with Richard sending Bob and I to find "Pete's Pond" in the past?
The route finding got ridiculous where Highwater is suppose to meet Verde #11. I was starving, tired headachy and just a joy I'm sure. Did our best to find the trail with the loaded track. There are a few cairns but spaced thin and in between looks virtually untraveled for stretches. After finally getting across the Verde again a much needed late lunch was enjoyed. Albeit overcast for the day the forecasted winds never really kicked in and all we experienced thus far were sprinkles. At lunch the sky turned kinna nasty. There were rolling dark clouds and it appeared the Piper was demanding payment.
We lucked out in more ways than one. There was actually a trail so that perked up the spirits. It wasn't great but better than the last couple hours. The kicker was the breaking clouds and an incredible light show dancing through the jaw dropping vistas. Nearing Red Creek again I was running out of energy so I started hitting the GU then later the Hammer. I was back in the saddle and felt zippy for the hike up Red Creek. We ended in head lamps but the weather was storybook so it didn't matter. On the way in I cached a "No Fear" slip over black jacket (2.4mi down on right/south that could only be seen heading back) I've had since high school and somehow failed to locate on the return. So that was sort of a bummer. Otherwise this was one FANTASTIC hike! Credit Bruce for another winner!!!
2012-01-21 joebartels
