Rock Creek Trail-Mazatzal Backpack-Spring 2011

[PrestonSands]

What? An overnight backpacking trip on the Rock Creek Trail in the Mazatzals, on the weekend of March 26-27. Camp among the pines at Horse Camp Seep, perhaps? It's rough but beautiful country. And there are waterfalls... ;)

[nonot]

Is anyone considering the CAMRA cert...unfortunately it falls on this weekend.

[DarthStiller]

Doing this as an overnighter is still rough for me since it would involve getting a babysitter for Saturday (and convincing my wife). However, I am getting very interested in the dayhike option. I’m definitely going to hike on that Sunday, so this looks like a good idea. I checked out your topo map, Preston, of FR442 and knowing that the Rock Creek Trail would only be 9 miles RT from the new TH to the junction of the AZT is encouraging. I like the idea of doing a shuttle an incorporating the AZT and North Peak or Barnhardt Trails. Not sure how that would work out exactly, though. If it’s one group of overnighters and one group of dayhikers, a key exchange might the only way to handle it conveniently.

Any idea on how the recent snow might affect this? I’d hate to have a replay of our Peeley/Y-Bar disaster of last year that same weekend.

[DarthStiller]

Ron told me he's in for this one. We're gonna do a shuttle dayhike, leave a car at Barnhardt, start at Rock Creek and hike over via the AZT and Barnhardt Trails. we have room for more if anyone else wants to commit and get in contact with us.

[rdavisiii]

Yeah, what Chris said.

[PrestonSands]

Does anyone know what condition the Mazatzal Divide Trail is in between the Rock Creek Trail junction and the Mineral Creek (North Peak) Trailhead?

[nonot]

tewa's hiking that soon, I think he will be able to report it, why don't you send him a PM?

[te_wa]

if i may.... suggest that you (we?) camp near Horse Camp. Rock creek to Hopi is a good hike, nice and wild! anyway, around Horse I passed and noted that it has a mature stand of ponderosa down by the drainage, some as tall as 70 feet. It looks like a fantastic spot to stay - perfectly flat for the tenting and trees for the hanging - and the water in the drainage is about 15 feet away.

[BobP]

I definitely want to go to the top of the 7500 foot peaks, though.

So is the plan gonna be drop our packs at Horse camp and do the 7,500 foot peaks on Sat or do them Sun. I may be coming over from Mt. Peeley and depending on the answer...I'll either hike or drive.

[Alex]

I was waiting for someone to bring up the water issue since I have not backpacked in this area, and it seems to be a pretty steep climb up and not having to haul 16 Lbs of water on my back sounds good if Tewa knows there is water 15 feet away from us at Hopi Spring, I am just saying it sounds good to me, but what do I know, I am a just a cricket. (Tewa will get it) Preston, this is your trip, what do you think about the water and where we camp.

[te_wa]

if you were to use Barnhardt you have water 2x before you get to the saddle, then divide tr. to horse camp is only a couple more miles.
plus, the waterfalls in Barnhardt look good right now.

[Alex]

Now you are just making me thirsty, I have to go get a drink. Anybody want anything while I am up?

[PrestonSands]

if i may.... suggest that you (we?) camp at Hopi Spring. Rock creek to Hopi is a good hike, nice and wild! anyway, around Hopi i passed and noted that it has a mature stand of ponderosa, some as tall as 70 feet. It looks like a fantastic spot to stay - perfectly flat for the tenting and trees for the hanging - and the water in the drainage is about 15 feet away.

I'm indifferent as to exactly where we camp, but I do prefer to be among living trees. Big ponderosas sound great to me, and the closer to water the better. Hopi would be a convenient base camp for a trip to the 7500' peaks and to the North Fork Deadman falls. Might be a little warmer at night, too, not being in the creek bottom.

As far as water goes, if Hopi Spring fails us, the bedrock tinaja/pool on the Rock Creek Trail at 6100' (near the waterfalls) should almost certainly have enough water for all of us. It had plenty of water in Feb. 2006 when I was there, and that was a very dry winter. Horse Camp Seep also had some bedrock pools, as I recall. Bring a water filter though!

What does everyone think about doing this as a shuttle? Here's what I'm thinking: we park a vehicle at Barnhardt trailhead on Saturday morning, then drive over to Rock Creek. Hike up Rock Creek Trail, set up camp at Hopi Spring, then hike to the 7559' and 7571' peaks. Sunday, we hike to Barnhardt trailhead via the Mazatzal Divide and Barnhardt trails. Ron and Chris: would this work for you?

[DarthStiller]

@Preston Sands

We'll be going that same direction, so we'd be chasing you unless you decide to wait at camp Sunday morning until we get there. and then we might still be chasing afte that. Whatever works for you guys. We'll be leaving a car at Barnhardt TH also so we'll try to catch you somewhere along the route.

[Alex]

Sounds like a plan. Preston I assume your coming from Safford, If that is the case you will be driving right pass me in Gold Canyon. PM me if you would like to discuss sharing a ride.

[te_wa]

Im down as long as we can crash the Wendy's in Ftn Hills - and drain the Frosty machine EMPTY!

[Felecia]

Haha lets see how long it takes Michael to see this...
Baby-sitter is confirmed we are in for sure!

[mazatzal]

I'm sure Horse Camp will have water and has big Ponderosas that survived. Hopi is good too if it has water - although I thought it was a little burned?

[te_wa]

youre right, mirrored-mazatzal. it is not exactly hopi spring that i referred to its more in between hopi and horse, iirc.
so, i edited my earlier posts to reflect "horse camp" and not the Hopi area, which according to map detail is nowhere near a drainage. sorry for the unclairified butter.

let's get the interested list to commit.. that goes for you too, mr. Padegimas

[mazatzal]

No worries, "my dear Holmes".

[DarthStiller]

ron hasn't hit the commit button yet and he said he's in, albiet only as a dayhiker. and I heard a rumor that Tough_Boots is gonna also make a guest appearance.