150 mile radius from Gilbert

DJBrianAZ · Post by **DJBrianAZ** » May 30 2002 4:33 pm

HI all,
Just needed some help in finding out whats open right now within a 150 mile radius (from gilbert). I've been striking out with all the closures. I want to do an overnight backpack sun-mon (6/2-6/3). I saw the posting about Gila and thats sounds tempting. I called Saguaro Natl Mon-Rincons(Tucson) and thats open but entry is restricted from westside trailheads only. Any ideas? thanks, Brian

nealz · Post by **nealz** » May 30 2002 4:38 pm

Brian-

Well, as you can see here, not much is open locally. I've been wondering about the Gila in NM too but it's a really long drive for just a weekender. I've been toying with the idea of car camping at Wet Beaver CG and doing some day trips or bike rides around there. It'll be hotter'n I like it but the creek is running for noontime swims. I dunno, it's gonna be a long hot summer. Start those monsoon dances soon.

-Nealz

Snick33 · Post by **Snick33** » May 30 2002 4:58 pm

T talked to the Mesa, Tonto National Forest office last week and to be more specific about the closure, they gave me these parameters:

Anything West of 87, (Beeline) and South of the power lines running Northeast to Southwest is open but restricted. that does give you Indian Spring Peak, Maverick Mountain, Diamond Mountain, and Black Mesa.

4Wheelers can follow the powerline access road fron the Beeline, I think it is Forest Road 393 heading Southwest. I've taken it in the Cherokee and it's not all that bad of a road.
_________________

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » May 31 2002 1:06 am

Nealz -

I thought Wet Beaver was closed....does it not fall within the closure areas?

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » May 31 2002 1:37 am

WOW, thanks Joe...

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » May 31 2002 6:42 am

Isn't Usery Park/Pass mountain trail open? We're thinking of doing that Sunday.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » May 31 2002 11:09 am

Usury hasn't shut down their trails yet. Camping is iffy, and there are obviously no fires allowed, but you can still do all the trails.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 31 2002 11:09 am

evenstarx3 wrote:Isn't Usery Park/Pass mountain trail open? We're thinking of doing that Sunday.

Those are the Coconino Forest trails open.

Now, don't forget to take a spatula on Sunday and flip every fifteen minutes

Well, well, look at that, 11:09 on the nose, the little tyke has a quick draw

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » May 31 2002 6:46 pm

Are the "high volume" areas around Oak Creek open such as Slide Rock and Call of the Canyon? My son's in- laws are visiting from Canada and of course they wanted to do the tourist thing. Thanks for any info.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 31 2002 6:53 pm

Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park are open

It's not like I'm a psychic

it's all listed on the Coconino Site

They're all listed on site
Click on
The Regions Map - Upper Left Corner
Click on Forest
Click on the Forest your interested in
Each "Forest Page" has a link on top to the offical site

Mike · Post by **Mike** » May 31 2002 6:57 pm

The Call of the Canyon day use area is open, but the West Fork Trail is not open, since it's in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area, which is closed.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 31 2002 6:59 pm

I hear the rangers are handing out a record number of citations for trail violators.

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » May 31 2002 7:12 pm

Thank you Mike, Joe. I didn't have a clue about the "regions" map. The wonders of this site will never cease to amaze me.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » May 31 2002 9:26 pm

evenstarx3 wrote:Isn't Usery Park/Pass mountain trail open? We're thinking of doing that Sunday.

Everything's open at Usery. We did Pass Mountain trail the other day and Wind Cave today...it's open, few people, but open.

One thing I've noticed this year is that there are fewer visible snakes...I hike the area a great deal and am surprised that I haven't had an snake encounters this season...

Enjoy your hike...

when you hit the saddle, follow the spur trail around to the right(east) and up to the top of that ridge, the views into the Goldfields are stunning...

DJBrianAZ · Post by **DJBrianAZ** » Jun 01 2002 1:28 pm

Thanks for the help. I'm going to do the Bell Trail tomorrow. Its been about 6 months since I've had time to get out hiking and I'm getting hiking withdrawal symptoms..hehe

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jun 04 2002 3:08 pm

When the Coconinio Forest says West Clear Creek #17 is open don't go expecting to get in the easy way.

Bull Pen is closed.

You must access from Blodgett Basin Trailhead. Which is the a little further down the road to the Cedar Flat or something turn. It's first real signed right. You go out, I don't remember, 4-6 miles to the Blodgett Basin Trailhead. The road looks beautiful but you can't go much over 15 mph cause it's very washboard. I actually followed the road another 5 or six miles as I always wondered what was out there. Now I know and I ain't tellin

You'll want to get an extremely early start cause it's a mother of a haul down and back up that canyon. I think the term I used was "screw that"

staceystevie · Post by **staceystevie** » Jun 09 2002 10:38 pm

Hi there. I just lead a hike at the Tonto Natural Bridge. The reason we did that hike was because it was the only one we knew of not closed. The trail that starts past the boulders is beautiful, no matter how many times you've done it. It was cooler at the Bridge and down on the trail; however the surface was a tad warm. Unfortunately you can't do any backpacking there.

Just a thought.

Snick33 · Post by **Snick33** » Jun 10 2002 7:55 am

staceystevie wrote:Hi there. I just lead a hike at the Tonto Natural Bridge. one we

Were the stairs opend down to the river? They were closed for repair last time I was there. I agree with you as well, it's a beauitful area and makes for some great hiking.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Jun 10 2002 11:19 am

There are still tons of places open. You might just have to up the mileage a bit. Ever been to upper Sycamore Canyon? You know, the one with all the springs. How about North Canyon? Little perennial stream, fabulous scenery. We drove to the Black River last weekend, a bit far for an overnight, but totally worthwhile nonetheless. Closer by, I think Turkey Creek by Aravaipa may still be open. No permit needed! This is the fun part, getting to know our area better!

GeorgAZ · Post by **GeorgAZ** » Jun 11 2002 7:49 am

Did anyone see the news that said the Grand Canyon is closed?? Is this correct? Also Slide Rock closed? I have friends that just fled that fire near Denver! This is becoming more frightening daily!!

150 mile radius from Gilbert

150 mile radius from Gilbert

Hope this helps

West Clear Creek

Tonot Natural Bridge

More closings???