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Treat with Respect by rvcarter  Background Some history is needed to describe this hike. The crash site that is the destination involved a large plane with a fascinating history. It rolled off the Boeing assembly line as a B-24 in 1944 destined for use in World War II. Somewhere along the line, it became property of the Department of Navy and became known as a Navy Privateer PB4Y2. It actually saw combat duty toward the end of the war in the Pacific theater with VPB-111 (apparently a squadron designation). In 1956, George Stell bought the plane and converted it for duty as an air tanker for fighting forest fires. Now in civilian status, the plane was categorized as a C-50 with registration # N7237C. I’ve included a picture of the plane taken in 1972. It has the dubious distinction of being the only known aircraft to go down in Arizona where the plane actually saw combat duty during WWII. The pilots were a father and son team, George and Greg Stell. The retardant-heavy aircraft was fighting a forest fire (the so-called Lindsey Fire) near Safford, AZ on June 27, 1974, when one of the wings caught a tree during a slurry drop and crashed. Both Stells were killed in the horrific crash. The result was an unfortunate loss to the aerial firefighting community of a skilled pilot and his 20-something son (Greg was flying at the time of the crash). The plane crashed down an unnamed ridge line, spreading parts for hundreds of yards along the flight path. The debris field, which is clearly visible at 12S 588662, 3620664 on Google Earth, remains largely undisturbed on land managed by the USFS southwest of West Peak. About 25 feet of tail section and control surfaces and outer wing panels are the most recognizable pieces that still remain. The debris field is huge, with one wing visible up the slope (at 12S 588775, 3620744) about 375 feet from the tail section. It's not likely that the pieces will be removed anytime soon as USFS sees it as a memorial to aerial firefighters killed in the line of duty. Another, probably more practical reason is that the size and weight of many of the items remaining on the hillside are too heavy and expensive to move. Directions Getting to the crash site involves some perseverance and effort. The author has post three tracks to help, including one showing the road in from US Hwy 70 (Tripp Canyon Road, # 286) near Pima, AZ and the recommended hike route to the crash site. Also included is my entire track. There is an excellent overall map showing other features in the area (courtesy of HAZ member “Kingsnake”). The drive from US Hwy 70 to where we parked is 26 miles, all dirt/gravel, but manageable with a high clearance 2WD vehicle. There is a nice parking spot at the lower entry point for the Blue Jay Ridge Trail loop at about 7600 feet (near Turkey Spring). It is at this point that most people will start hiking (roughly 12S 589958, 3623332). One could drive to the top of West Peak but the road gets a lot steeper after this, and could be problematic in anything less than a 4WD vehicle, especially in wet weather. The Hike To get to the crash site, walk up the road to the saddle near the West Peak tower and hike southwest on the Sky Islands Traverse Trail (this is the trail name on Google Earth, it’s called Hurricane Pass Trail on some maps). This portion of the trail overlaps for about ¾ miles with the Grand Enchantment Trail Segment #10 – Pinaleno Mountains. Without an actual track to follow, it looks like the best route is down the ridge all the way. However, this will soon cliff out and you’ll be scrambling down to the left. (Oddly enough, the only time you see wreckage is from the top of this cliff. Wreckage is not visible on the recommended, faint trail until you’re right on top of it.) The best route is to stay somewhat on the left (east) side of the ridge and follow a faint but fairly easy-to-follow trail all the way out to the site. Look for a few cairns and some ribbon along the way. Resist the lure of dropping to the left too soon. When in doubt, return to the ridge and continue southwest. My full track shows the out and back, but I highly recommend using the return route to navigate. I intend to reverse this portion of my tract for posting as the official track. You’ll feel like you’re bushwhacking in some spots, and there is some scrambling but nothing above a mild class 3. The RT distance and aeg from the West Peak saddle to the site are small (3.4 miles and under 1300 feet), but it feels like more. This is a unique destination where a real-life tragedy took place. Please treat the area with the respect it deserves. Take time to view and reflect, then retrace your steps. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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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 Review
West Peak C-50 Crash Site
This morning, we converged from two different counties and two different points on the compass to our rendezvous. From there, we began our long bumpy drive to our parking point below West Peak and were now all about the hike. Today’s hike would be a rather unique one to visit a decades old crash site of a tanker plane. The description tells its story, so I shan’t go into details about that.
For lack of an actual, recorded track, Roy had come up with some sort of an extrapolation that landed us right where we wanted to be with minimal difficulty (Way to go Roy!!!).
Once at the crash site, everyone seemed to be in their own world, connecting (or at least trying to) with each piece of debris which littered an enormous area. Everywhere you turned, there was more debris. Each time you turned, it was a new angle on what you’d already seen. The scene is very complex and will probably only make any sense to those lucky enough to revisit again and again.
Before our return, we took lunch at the site, and whilst all participants were in one spot, Roy laid the history of this craft, and its final flight on us all. I can only speak for myself, but felt I had done an honor by sweating my way here to absorb the air where this father and son team gave their lives defying their greatest foe. In that sense, this is a monumental hike. Not a feather in the cap, not one off the list, not accepting the challenge. This is a visit to an actual monument to human spirit and is quite worth the long commute, rough road, sweat and blood-letting that is all part of this quest.
For lack of an actual, recorded track, Roy had come up with some sort of an extrapolation that landed us right where we wanted to be with minimal difficulty (Way to go Roy!!!).
Once at the crash site, everyone seemed to be in their own world, connecting (or at least trying to) with each piece of debris which littered an enormous area. Everywhere you turned, there was more debris. Each time you turned, it was a new angle on what you’d already seen. The scene is very complex and will probably only make any sense to those lucky enough to revisit again and again.
Before our return, we took lunch at the site, and whilst all participants were in one spot, Roy laid the history of this craft, and its final flight on us all. I can only speak for myself, but felt I had done an honor by sweating my way here to absorb the air where this father and son team gave their lives defying their greatest foe. In that sense, this is a monumental hike. Not a feather in the cap, not one off the list, not accepting the challenge. This is a visit to an actual monument to human spirit and is quite worth the long commute, rough road, sweat and blood-letting that is all part of this quest.
2015-12-10 Mountain_Rat
