Brownie Tank - AZNG Mascot (Veterans' Day)

[kingsnake]

I have next Tuesday open, and like every 11/11, it is Veterans' Day. So, I was thinking "What would be a good hike to celebrate?" Then I (vaguely) remembered this hike, which CannondaleKid and Joe helped me dig out of my massive wish list. Indeed, I wished it all the way back in February, 2011, when I was but a wet behind the ears Hazard. I figure a hike out to see the National Guard mascot would be appropriate, especially since I spent a year or so in the 153rd Field Artillery Brigade in Glendale. (I seem to recall having some training, one drill weekend, out this way, as well.)

What could be more militarily appropriate than to celebrate a military holiday with a ruck march?

(Other than getting blindingly drunk, then heaving in next morning's PT run ...)

So, anyone interetested?

According to the description, it is only 5.4-something miles, which is kinda short, so we could always add on some exploration, or start further back on the jeep trail.

[CannondaleKid]

According to the description, it is only 5.4-something miles

Read it closer... that is ONE-WAY, so you're talking about 11 miles round-trip.

But there's more to it... according to the hike description, sventre drove partway out on FR 1829, which is definitely a high-clearance 4x4 road. From AZ 87, only a few miles out on FR401 are suitable for a car, then you must travel on a couple other Forest Roads before you even reach FR 1829.

So... if you don't have the appropriate vehicle, you may have closer to a 16-17 mile round-trip hike.

EDIT: Joe is correct, it is 5.4 miles round-trip (the GPS track was in fact round-trip).
However, while a car can easily travel on FR401, without a suitable high clearance vehicle you may be hoofing it from somewhere along FR401. If that's the case, you will be very close to a 15 mile round-trip.

[joebartels]

Good heads up! The one-way setting was incorrect, just changed it. It would be a 15-16 mi hike in a sedan, most of which is road. While the road is not bad at the top for high clearance when dry, it is too steep for traction without 4wd for most further into the Rolls heading down to Brownie.
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[kingsnake]

I was going by the track distance ... Hiking from the intersection of FR 13 & FR 1829, that adds ~3.5 total miles (total ~9). Hiking from the intersection of FR 13 and FR 1343 adds ~5.5 total miles (total ~11). I zoomed on satellite view and my SUV looks okay. I mean, I made it to the Wood Canyon - Upper Rim trailhead ( http://hikearizona.com/photo=393512 ) ...

[joebartels]

Keep in mind a tow out there is expensive. If you go stop BEFORE entering sand or ruts. While I don't recall sand on that route, I've seen sand over a foot deep west and east of that road. It is difficult to find a place to turn around if trouble occurs away from the intersections. The chances of getting out of sand on a flat surface from a dead stop in 2wd are slim, forget it on an incline without 4wd and momentum.

Mark or someone else may have better beta on the upper portion "to" the 13 / 1829 intersection. It's been almost a decade since I've driven it.

[CannondaleKid]

I zoomed on satellite view and my SUV looks okay. I mean, I made it to the Wood Canyon - Upper Rim trailhead

For some reason I thought you just had a car. Then you should be able to drive as far as sventre did, but I would not recommend going any farther. When I was out there in late June (for my East/West El Recortado double) the downhill from there to Brownie Tank was BAD.

[joebartels]

For some reason I thought you just had a car.

me too

A shovel and 2x6's are cheap insurance out yonder...

[BobP]

The chances of getting out of sand on a flat surface from a dead stop in 2wd are slim

But not impossible ....always remember to slam the door hard so the windows rattle if you were the one pushing the vehicle free. ;)

[joebartels]

Oh yeah, if you have a kind soul like Bob to push you out of sand ( he's such a brute ) tell them in advance you can not stop to pick them up. They will have to run and jump in. He slammed my door so hard I almost kicked him out after the good deed

[The_Eagle]

A shovel and 2x6's are cheap insurance out yonder...

Not Floor Mats

[mazatzal]

Not sure how long the dog has been up there but I think we first saw it in Feb 1991