Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24

[DarthStiller]

Ok, last minute (sort of) change on this one due to the weather, which creates likely inaccesibility to the Spur Cross TH and taking advantage of the waterfalls, streams and other water features we're likely to see over in the Supes. Probably only 5-6 miles RT, but we can always do some side trips to increase distance, see more, and spend more time. Leaving my house in Mesa at 6:30 am due to the short drive from my house and the late sunrise.



Starting at the Spur Cross Road area and hiking up to the Cottonwood Trail (247), then taking the Skull Mesa Trail (248) up then down the other side of Skull Mesa back to the Cottonwood, and then back to the TH. I think the total mileage on this is a little over 17 miles. I'll start out leaving Mesa at 5:30am to get a jump on the daylight due to the length of the hike.

[JimmyLyding]

Depending upon football I may be down for this one. Doing the Ballantine Trail w/ some tenderfoots on the 23rd so I should be good to go if it works out.

[Al_HikesAZ]

This looks good. I haven't been out there in a couple of years. I would like to see how the area east of the Mesa is recovering from the Cave Creek Complex fire. I think the full loop is close to 18 miles but we could bug out the "back door" and shorten it a little if we want.

[DarthStiller]

I'm all for that if you know the shortcut.

[BobP]

I did the big loop last year with Cottonwood and Cave Creek #4 from Spur Cross(about 25 miles). Parts of the Cottonwood trail doesn't exist anymore, but there were cairns and ribbons to follow... sometimes it followed the creek which had a little water in it. I think I went in Feb/Mar.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Yep - the creek crossings can be a pain. Sometimes they are upcreek a ways and sometimes downcreek a ways. And sometimes I've probably missed one and just followed the creekbed a ways until I find a ribbon or cairn

Stiller - the "back door" is shown in ClydeKilgore GPS route for Skull Mesa from Spur Cross that I did a couple weeks ago. I hits the Cottonwood Trail at Cottonwood Spring. There is a trail marker and a cairn. If you are coming up on the 101 I can meet you at Desert Ridge or at Cave Creek Rd & Carefree Hwy.

[DarthStiller]

Where's desert ridge at?

[Al_HikesAZ]

Where's desert ridge at?

Just north of the 101 & east of Tatum Blvd. Or I could meet you around the 101 & Bell Road/Frank Lloyd Wright. Not sure how you are coming north.

[DarthStiller]

I take the 101 to Princess Rd/Pima Rd exit, then take Pima road north to Cave creek, west on cave creek road to Spur Cross road (?) to the TH. We could meet at harold's, or at the Circle K further down the road before you turn north off cave creek road.

[Al_HikesAZ]

We've got time to figure this out. I'll get over to the area around Pima & the 101 and find a place to meet.

[DarthStiller]

Due to the predicted storms coming this week and a time constraint implemented by my wife, we might need to consider some backup plans for this. If the streams are running full and the mud is really bad on Skull Mesa, what is already a long hike could end up being a full day slog. we can maybe do some of the newer trails like the Spur Cross Trail (maricopa trail) and dragonfly trail. we can do these and some other ones so that the total distance is 10+ miles, or whatever we can agree on depending on the conditions. If the storms aren't too bad this week, hopefully we won't need to worry about this. Let me know what you guys think.

[JimmyLyding]

The storms this week look like they're going to be the real deal. Perhaps Skull Mesa via Spur Cross TH hike that Dave & I did a short while back would be a good alternative: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=7263 If these storms hit as expected even the dirt road into Spur Cross could be a problem for passenger cars. There are 4 crossings of Cave Creek, however.

[DarthStiller]

I was thinking of that, but if we can make it up to Skull Mesa, we should be able to make it the rest of the way. Or not. I guess it will depend on how full the streams are. No flows in the washes up here in Ftn Hills yet, that's the only indicator I have to go by how it might be on Sunday.

I was thinking the same thing about getting to the TH. We can all meet at Harold's and load up in 4x4s from there. Al also has a 4x4, so even if everyone commits, we should have enough room. Just wondering how bad the flows might be.

Are the 4 crossings of Cave Creek on the trail or on the road to the TH?

[BobP]

but if we can make it up to Skull Mesa, we should be able to make it the rest of the way

I thought that once...I've been up there 4-5 times. This one time...the hike to the mesa was fine and once on top the mud and grass added about a pound or so to each shoe maybe less but it felt like 10 pounds. It was really slow going. It got to the point where I just kept the mud on because I was stopping every 5-10 minutes to clean it off.

[Dirt4dinner]

Topo and I are in for whatever you end up doing. A good solid day hike is exactly what we need (after out last adventure...it was a long weekend). I have the 4Runner (lifted with serious tires), so I can get us just about anywhere we would need to get to. I will keep an eye on the thread for final decisions.

[Topo the dog]

I like mud.

[joebartels]

Crap I was planning on my favorite Waterpark journey through the hard packed trails of the Superstitions FW->Charlebois RT variation if these rains produce. Since D4d is in and has my rain pants from two years ago that I left in his truck, I might reconsider this mud bath. Hope it's not as bad as Munds Mountain, we only averaged a quarter mile per hour in that ankle deep mud.

[DarthStiller]

What did I get myself into here.

[DarthStiller]

I think I’m going to try to call Maricopa County sometime tomorrow to check on the condition of Spur Cross Road. I’m not too familiar with how the streams run up there. I would think it should be passable, but if they decide to close it, I don’t want to make the trip up there at 6am just to turn around.

I think its looking more like the backup plan might be in effect. I wouldn’t mind trying to make it up to Skull Mesa, but if Cave Creek is running strong enough, I don’t have the proper foot gear to prevent my feet from getting totally soaked. I’m thinking we start up the forest road (not sure of the number) and see what the crossings look like. If we can make it across with mostly dry feet, then try Skull Mesa. If not, then the lower trails. Let me know if you guys have any other suggestions.

[Dirt4dinner]

I was praying you guys had cancelled this nightmare in the making. I don't think there is any chance you are going to complete any destination hike...you might wander down a trail for a few hours, but I don't think you are going to get anywhere.

As for your pants Joe...it's going to be awkward with both of us wearing those things. Isn't there a statue of limitaions on claiming those VERY nice pants? I might be willing to sell them to you for a good deal. Not to mention the cleaning bill and storage fees...yikes!

I am anxiously awaiting the cancellation of this trip...but we are still planning on going if you guys are really stupid enough to try this.