Deer Tanks Trail, AZ

Overview
The Deer Tanks Trail starts at the end of Idaho Road and heads to Deer Tanks, located along Bulldog Canyon. This is a well-maintained trail that heads up to Idaho Saddle, a low lying saddle before heading down to Bulldog Canyon. This is a good trail to take to access Bulldog canyon west, and to what used to be called the Mask Arch, I guess now called the Cyclops since one of the arches collapsed. Deer Tanks where this trail ends are a series of pools in Bulldog canyon. These tanks have had water in them every time I visited them but not sure in the early summer months. Then who would be out here in early summer?


Description
This trail starts at the end of Idaho Road at the Idaho Road Trailhead Parking. The trail heads northwest toward an area called the Spires, an area with many rock formations, including Coyote Rock. The Superstitions can be seen off in the distance to the east. Almost immediately, a trail heads off to the east called the Wolverine Pass Trail and heads over to the Bulldog Canyon Trailhead. The Deer Tanks Trail continues at first to the west, then to the north toward Idaho Saddle, following along a south-flowing wash for a bit. Once at the saddle, the trail follows along a wash that now drains to the north toward Bulldog Canyon. Off to the west and northwest is Bulldog Ridge. There is a large catchment to the west of the trail to catch water just before coming to FR 10, Bulldog Canyon Road, which is about 1.2 miles in.The trail from FR 10 to Bulldog Canyon follows a wash the rest of the way to Deer Tanks. Just before coming to Bulldog Canyon, the trail exits steeply to the east and west, stay in the wash to Deer Tanks in Bulldog Canyon. This east west trail is part of the Bulldog Canyon Trail. If you are heading to the arch called the Mask, you can exit to the east on this trail. This route will take you more directly to the mask and bypass Deer Tanks. The Deer Tanks Trail skirts along the west side of hill 2300. If at the FR 10 Crossing you take FR 10 east, there is a trail that heads north from FR 10 that skirts hill 2300 on the east. Either trail is a good route to take to the arch called the Mask, possibly one in and the other return for a slight change of scenery.

2020-03-09 markthurman53