FR 294 Redfield Canyon

[SJFL]

Does anyone know road conditions on FR294 or any other road that would get me into Redfield Canyon OTHER than going through Muleshoe Ranch (FR691)? My Subaru was nearly trashed on that road.

Thanks.

[RedRoxx44]

You might pm Rwstorm. I think he has used that access for a dayhike a few years ago. He might know who to contact. I don't know what number road, if it's north of Redfield Canyon it goes thru Carlink ranch and access is denied. You might also look up the hunting unit to see if it's mentioned as to status. If it's the road to the south and is passable be advised the hiking thru that area of Redfield Canyon might pass thru or start on private land, and the canyon has some rough boulder chokes in it before you get to the side junction canyon from Jackson Cabin. But it is a pretty area tho.

[SJFL]

@RedRoxx44
Thanks. That's helpful.

When you say "rough boulder chokes," is it just a question of muscling through or is it class 5 with danger of breaking my butt?

[rwstorm]

@SJFL
I just looked at my triplog from when I went there in 2012. We came in from the south via Cascabel, then headed eastbound on Gamez/Soza Road. This takes you pretty far east before you head north to Bradberry Cabin. After the cabin, we continued on the road northwest to the edge of the wilderness and found a place to park at the northernmost point of our loop drive. From there we dropped easily into Redfield Canyon. Head right (upstream) and it gets increasingly difficult in places around the junction with Swamp Springs Canyon, just like @RedRoxx44 describes. Very dramatic in that part! After that jumble area the canyon eases up a bit as you head to the Jackson Cabin area or beyond.

[nonot]

FR691 is strictly 4x4. It's also the only road that takes you all the way to Jackson Cabin and the Redfield Wilderness which is what I interpret you mean in terms of getting to "Redfield Canyon" and your reference to that road. I would like to help but can't find FR294 on the map after a few minutes spent searching. Google doesn't give the FR#s of most of the roads in the area.

A very simple plan you might want to consider is just parking just east of the town of Redington and hiking the (unnamed/unnumbered?) 4WD road in that goes along the bottom of Redfield canyon itself? You would seem to be able to make it to Jackson cabin and back as a relatively long dayhike. Maybe bring mountain bikes to make the road miles go faster. (The road doesn't go all the way but you can hike the canyon bottom past where the road ends.)

[SJFL]

Lastly, I'm just trying to figure out what you and @RedRoxx44 are referring to regarding the difficulty of getting up and past Swamp Canyon. Does it require climbing and/or technical gear? Or can I do it with a 40 pound pack, alone and without gear? (And without incurring unnecessary physical damage to my body.)

Thanks again for your time.

[rwstorm]

@SJFL
Yes, you should have no trouble coming in on the north end of the loop near Redington to access a drop off point into Redfield Canyon in the Forester. Lot shorter that way to get to where you want to be, than coming in the way I did. The part of the canyon that gets slow going is not technical and dangerous per se, just slow going. I didn't post a triplog from my 2009 exploration of the canyon, but here are the photos from our hike downstream from our camp at Jackson Cabin:
[ photoset ]

[AugustWest]

If you make it down there and figure out what you are asking about here, please make sure you post your GPS route and a detailed hiking route via Route Scout. Inquiring minds want to know

[RedRoxx44]

Just boulder chokes and flood debris, but it is some work so don't underestimate the time it might take to get somewhere. Please remember the Cave House is on private land. Years ago I was contacted by someone with one of the trail routes; I think the GET that wanted to include that portion on the route; only to find out it is on private land. Also years ago the info was published in AZ highways and the influx of tourons also what prompted Carlink ranch to close access even to hunters because of traffic and vandalism. It is your hike and you can publish what you want but there are not specific directions to the Cave House on Haz that I know of, it's been vandalized enough.