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Verde Jewel in the Rough by joebartels  Overview Connects Oxbow Trail #163 & Coldwater Trail #27 just under the Verde Rim. Coldwater Spring is an oasis and Cedar Spring intrigues. Most enjoyable October & March. Too hot for most in the summer. Draw Rarely traveled with unforgettable views. Flora Cedar Bench Wilderness is loaded with Utah Junipers which pioneers apparently thought to be cedars. Crack open a berry and you will find two seeds. The larger Alligator Junipers have four seeds. Live oak may torture you depending on recent trail maintenance. If you stay on trail gloves are not required, pants should suffice. Gamble Oaks are present in the mid west segment. Hike We hiked SE to NW. Immediately we encountered the Coldwater Spring area. After a dusty ascent up the cow pasture wilderness on #27 this was a welcome surprise. First we entered a high canopy of trees. A four to eight foot wide swath seeps down through the forest. The origin is a twenty foot wide pool, worthy of checking out. The trail contours NW under the Verde Rim which in this case is Tule Mesa. Cairns seem abundant in obvious areas and light to non-existent where needed the most. It can be frustrating at times. Then you look out over the Verde Valley and it all makes sense. The views are magnificent. If you are lucky a few puffy clouds can really make the scene. Finding a lunch spot was not easy. Each time I found a tree offering shade it blocked the views. Finally we made due. It lacked comfort. There just wasn't much in the flat, clear and soft department. The final 0.4mi stretch to Oxbow opens up to grasslands. This trail was tough but it left a lasting impression. Camping Camping is permitted all along the trail. Only a quarter mile from either end offers anything open and flat enough for most to pitch tent. There is one area flat enough in the middle where Tule Mesa melts down to Cedar Bench. A keen eye will spot it on topo, just don't expect a clear meadow. 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
Tule Rim Trail #162
Cold Water-Tule-Oxbow Loop
This hike is not for 98% of you out there.
It's not because of the views, they were expansive.
It's not because of the potential to see wildlife, there was sign of Bear, Deer and Elk everywhere. It was not because there was nothing to discover, the Cold Water Spring Area was sweet as was the Gap Creek water fall area.
It was the torture this jaunt put you through. For you 2% out there that are masochists, highly recommended! The trails are faint at best, non-existent in MANY areas. They are steep , rocky, loose, overgrown, blood robbing, clothes ripping, and patience testing. A copy of the GPS track I published for this loop will keep you from getting lost.
It's sad that although I could rate these trails close to a 4 in spots, for the views, the work you have to put in just does not justify the effort.
Other than wildlife, this area has not seen any traffic in years. All in All, I'm glad I did it, it was my first time back in this area to the end of Salt Mine Road.
Another word to the wise, when you are driving in, and get to the area where you have to go through a gate with a sign that says "No turn around" Park right there. If you don't believe the sign (Like me), you will reach a locked gate for the Brown Springs Ranch. From this point you will have to back down a steep loose gravel road. We parked above the warning sign before the gate to the ranch and had a note on my truck saying I was parked on private property. There were no signs indicating that.
It's not because of the views, they were expansive.
It's not because of the potential to see wildlife, there was sign of Bear, Deer and Elk everywhere. It was not because there was nothing to discover, the Cold Water Spring Area was sweet as was the Gap Creek water fall area.
It was the torture this jaunt put you through. For you 2% out there that are masochists, highly recommended! The trails are faint at best, non-existent in MANY areas. They are steep , rocky, loose, overgrown, blood robbing, clothes ripping, and patience testing. A copy of the GPS track I published for this loop will keep you from getting lost.
It's sad that although I could rate these trails close to a 4 in spots, for the views, the work you have to put in just does not justify the effort.
Other than wildlife, this area has not seen any traffic in years. All in All, I'm glad I did it, it was my first time back in this area to the end of Salt Mine Road.
Another word to the wise, when you are driving in, and get to the area where you have to go through a gate with a sign that says "No turn around" Park right there. If you don't believe the sign (Like me), you will reach a locked gate for the Brown Springs Ranch. From this point you will have to back down a steep loose gravel road. We parked above the warning sign before the gate to the ranch and had a note on my truck saying I was parked on private property. There were no signs indicating that.
2012-09-22 The_Eagle
Tule Rim Trail #162
ColdWater 27 / Tule 162 / Oxbow 163 Loop
Cold Water Trail #27
Steep at the bottom with loose footing. Junipers dominate. Good distant views. Not difficult to follow if you pay attention. We didn't and paid dearly. Foxtails are a hearty nuisance.
Tule Rim Trail #162
Cold Water Spring area is a surprising oasis. Turn around and save your sanity. The rest of the trail is a bushwhack and difficult to follow. Non existent in areas. Excellent views. Pants required.
Oxbow Trail #163
The top has a cool area at a tributary to the origin of Gap Creek. Great views. Majority of "trail" is a cairn hunt through cow pastures.
Chalk Tank Trail #506
"looked" semi promising, may take a few years to forget and forgive this area for a looksee
Synopsis
Cold Water oasis is sweet. Lunch views rocked. Top of Gap Creek is intriguing. The rest is hellish. Understand why it's rarely visited due to lack of use and maintenance. Distant views are good to excellent throughout. I just couldn't recommend to anyone. Nice to see a new area. Happy to have experienced, no desire to return.
Steep at the bottom with loose footing. Junipers dominate. Good distant views. Not difficult to follow if you pay attention. We didn't and paid dearly. Foxtails are a hearty nuisance.
Tule Rim Trail #162
Cold Water Spring area is a surprising oasis. Turn around and save your sanity. The rest of the trail is a bushwhack and difficult to follow. Non existent in areas. Excellent views. Pants required.
Oxbow Trail #163
The top has a cool area at a tributary to the origin of Gap Creek. Great views. Majority of "trail" is a cairn hunt through cow pastures.
Chalk Tank Trail #506
"looked" semi promising, may take a few years to forget and forgive this area for a looksee
Synopsis
Cold Water oasis is sweet. Lunch views rocked. Top of Gap Creek is intriguing. The rest is hellish. Understand why it's rarely visited due to lack of use and maintenance. Distant views are good to excellent throughout. I just couldn't recommend to anyone. Nice to see a new area. Happy to have experienced, no desire to return.
2012-09-22 joebartels
