South Fork-Gold Ridge Loop Sun. Jan. 25

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 06 2009 9:41 pm

I read topohiker's and grasshopper's triplogs on this and it seems doable as a dayhike. Hopefully I can complete it quicker than they did. 13-14 miles RT and about 2700' elevation gain. I'll probably leave my house at 6am for this one so I should arrive at the TH at dawn.

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Jan 07 2009 11:26 am

This loop is definitely doable as a dayhike unless there's a lot of water in South Fork Deer Creek because that leg of the hike is basically trail-less.

rushthezeppelin · Post by **rushthezeppelin** » Jan 07 2009 11:28 am

Can't be any worse than ridgeline and we did that in 8 hours...I'm sure you could do that as a dayhike easy.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Jan 07 2009 11:31 am

There's a lot of things worse than the Ridgeline. And a lot of those worse things occur in the Mazzys. That's a tough place to negotiate when the trail disappears. At least the Ridgeline has a trail worn in from all of the action that it sees.

Have fun Stiller!

rushthezeppelin · Post by **rushthezeppelin** » Jan 07 2009 11:36 am

Hoffmaster wrote:There's a lot of things worse than the Ridgeline. And a lot of those worse things occur in the Mazzys. That's a tough place to negotiate when the trail disappears. At least the Ridgeline has a trail worn in from all of the action that it sees.

Have fun Stiller!

Ohhh I didn't see that it was in the mazzys....guess I'll take that back. They have some rough elevation gains and quite a lack of trails out there ><

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 07 2009 12:04 pm

Thanks, Matt. Looks like we should have some fun since we've got a good crew going. The latest triplogs I read said these trails aren't too bad. Deer Creek Trail is supposed to be the killer. I'll have my GPS set up for it, so that will also help make it easier. I've done some trails in the Supes and 4Peaks area that are also faint and hardly there, so if it is like that, it's not like we don't have experience. I saw where these trails terminate on the road to Mt. Peeley TH, so at the very least, it's not like they disappear completely. topohiker said they're faint in spots. Sounds like most trails in any WA in AZ.

rally_toad · Post by **rally_toad** » Jan 07 2009 12:24 pm

I might try to make this one. I need to explore more areas in the Mazzies, only really been out there once. This loop I've looked at many times before.

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Jan 07 2009 12:36 pm

Once the trail drops into South Fork Deer Creek canyon (from the Deer Creek trail which is the trail we take from the trailhead) there is no trail. Gold Ridge trail also disappears on the way down from FR 201, but that should not be an issue with GPS. From looking at the recent triplogs it appears that the lower portion of Gold Ridge should be in nice shape, and that the South Fork trail is decent near FR 201.
It is true that bushwhacking up Deer Creek Canyon was far more unpleasant than South Fork.

bbscout · Post by **bbscout** » Jan 17 2009 4:51 pm

Use caution about 4 miles into the South Fork. The south slope is moving and is very unstable. My friend and I were on this trail yesterday.

sarichter · Post by **sarichter** » Jan 23 2009 6:14 am

i may or may not be in. i should know tonight or tomorrow afternoon at the latest. are we meeting at the trailhead or will there be an alternative converging point?

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 23 2009 7:14 am

Whichever works best for you. I live in Mesa, which is where most of us will meet. Let me if you want to meet there or at the TH, I can PM my address to you. rlrjamy said if he goes he'll likely just meet us at the TH.

sarichter · Post by **sarichter** » Jan 23 2009 9:44 pm

looks like the stars aren't aligning for this hike... too much work on my plate. i'll have to try to make the next one.

rally_toad · Post by **rally_toad** » Jan 24 2009 12:42 am

6 am is mighty early for me, but I'll be tagging along, if there's room for one more. How much time you guys anticipate this one taking? I hope we can get through it in less than 11 hours.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 24 2009 9:53 am

I would think it should take less than that. I will probably depend on how choked the bad sections are. I've got my GPS programmed, so losing direction shouldn't be an issue.

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Jan 24 2009 5:09 pm

Now all we need is for Bob to man up

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 24 2009 7:19 pm

Is it better to do this clockwise or CCW?

Tortoise_Hiker · Post by **Tortoise_Hiker** » Jan 24 2009 7:50 pm

Hey Stiller It's 6 oclock your house right?

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Jan 24 2009 8:50 pm

I'm of two minds with respect to going clockwise or CCW. Gold Ridge should be quicker no matter which direction, and South Fork is going to be a challenge. Either direction has its positives and negatives.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 24 2009 10:24 pm

Yes, 6am tomorrow at my house.

South Fork-Gold Ridge Loop Sun. Jan. 25

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