Mazatzal Question

[desertadapted]

I'm trying to string together a multi-day starting from Deer Creek, south on the MDT, then putting together a loop of Sheep Creek (88), Sears (90), FR477, and Copper Camp (87). I have the GPX routes but I'm unable to tell from what I'm looking at whether the trails still exist and whether they are passable. I've done the entire MDT and the Barnhardt area trails and am looking for something new in the Mazzies, but am not looking to get my derriere handed to me by mostly disappeared/overgrown trails. Not my cup of tea. Any insight is appreciated.

[jacobemerick]

@desertadapted It’s doable. Deer Creek may be the most overgrown of your trails. Did a similar, shorter loop a few years ago - [ triplog ]

[desertadapted]

@jacobemerick
Thanks for the prompt response! I saw your Gold Ridge description. Would you suggest that trail instead of Deer Creek as the cherry stem for the loop I intend (starting from the Deer Creek TH)?

[nonot]

Deer creek was getting a little vague in some sections last I hiked it. Sheep is pretty open though there are a few sections of overgrowth that were misleading for a few hundred yards of trail in total. This was all maybe 7 years ago, and may now be worse, though I'd expect the AZT portion to be fine.

I have never done Sears/Copper Camp and it doesn't get much traffic, and I can't recall a triplog in years, so I can't say your entire route is safe. If you bring a GPS, I would guess this is doable for someone with significant navigational and backpacking experience. The other problem you will encounter is the weather, you will either be quite cold with potential snow in the higher elevations or quite warm in the lower elevations. Maybe early March?

You are right to be concerned about overgrown and un-maintained sections of trail, and you will encounter both - this will not be a walk in the park. Have reasonable expectations for daily mileage in frustrating conditions and I'd suggest a plan for 2 bail out options if you get in trouble or find the going too slow, such as an exit from Sheep going south (take the AZT to highway 87), and the 2nd involving going west to the dam, both for a shuttle pickup. If it does get too bad to continue where you've totally lost the trail, keep in mind an option is always to backtrack to a bail out route.

[nonot]

Gold ridge is high and dry and brushy. Deer Creek stays low, with water in spots, and is brushy. I prefer Deer Creek, if you've never done either. Gold ridge will take you less time as it is more direct, but it will likely force you on a long first day until you can reach water, unless you plan to find and melt snow.

[chumley]

A friend of mine was on a trail crew that cleaned up the Deer Creek Trail last month. I haven't been there since nor do I know the extent of the work, but I know that there was several days of work by a full crew.

[desertadapted]

@chumley
I ended up doing both Deer Creek and Gold Ridge. Deer Creek remains gnarly and hard to follow in sections (esp. around the trail crossings), but is stunning. My biggest challenge actually came when I hitting Sheep Creek. It was tough to follow. I have to admit I turned tail after about 1/2 mile. Without any expectation that the rest of the trail was going to be much better, I didn't have an appetite for that much route finding. Maybe I'd have had more energy earlier in the hike.

[chumley]

@desertadapted
Please consider posting a triplog (click the + add button at the top of the page). I'm sure others would like to read about your trip.