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... ;)

[PrestonSands]

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

Just rip that thing off the wall and bring it with us!

It'll be Horse Camp Seep or the tall pine patch you speak of for our campground, then.

[Tough_Boots]

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.

Yes I am! Sign me up for the dayhike shuttle express. I wish I could do the overnight but my work schedule is super tight right now and I can't switch around that weekend. Save me a seat, Stiller!

[te_wa]

and to the North Fork Deadman falls. Might be a little warmer at night, too, not being in the creek bottom.

the falls were looking good as ever. i'd like to view them from the west side looking east, and this is my chance. nice!
last w/e the temps @ 5K were still above 50. 55 was my guess. i was sweating in my 35° quilt.

Horse Camp Seep also had some bedrock pools

water is everywhere. flowing down n. fork's bedrock about 1 gallon per second. we're likely to cross it in rock creek numerous times. imma carry a liter at most, at any given moment.

[DarthStiller]

It looks like Kyle, Ron and I will also be attempting to incorporate the Brody Trail into this hike. I think the total extra mileage would be in the 2.5-3 mile range. The final call will be made once we get to the top of the Barnhardt trail and see how we feel, if we've caught up with you guys, etc. FYI in case anyone else is interested in exploring a little more.

[BobP]

Preston.....Have you decided on a start time?

[Alex]

IF any one needs a lift Saturday in the East Valley I will be coming from gold canyon and I am driving a ford Crew Cab that seats 5.

[PrestonSands]

I'll be coming from Safford, through Globe, and past Roosevelt Lake (saves me a lot of time by not coming through Phoenix), so I'll meet everyone at the trailhead. Does a 7:30 meetup at the Barnhardt trailhead on Saturday morning work for everyone? We can drop some vehicles at Barnhardt, and then head over to the Rock Creek trailhead. That should put us on the Rock Creek Trail around 9 am, with an arrival at our campsite near Horse Camp Seep in the early afternoon (2-ish?). Once we are at Horse Camp, we can explore the 7500' peaks, Deadman Falls, etc. Sunday morning we head out on the Mazatzal Divide Trail (Ron said he is staying behind to wait for Chris and Kyle), then hike back on the Barnhardt Trail to the Barnhardt Trailhead (avoiding the Sandy Saddle Trail at all costs). Once back at Barnhardt, we retrieve our vehicles from Rock Creek. Maybe on the way home stop at Wendy's in Fountain Hills or something.

Question: Is the Half Moon Trail worth including as a way to eliminate the shuttle? I've had the impression it was a hellacious cat-claw gauntlet, but I've never hiked it.

Be prepared for heavy brush and thorny things on Rock Creek. Also be sure to bring plenty of warm gear, as it looks like it's going to be a bit chilly in the Mazzies this weekend: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... tType=text

[rdavisiii]

My weekend cleared up so backpacking I will go. 7:30 at Barnhardt works for me. Regarding Half Moon I would skip it just because I need to finish up at Barnhardt.

[te_wa]

oh heck yeas... glad you could overnight, Ron. BTW>> the thunderbirds were fantastic. check the fb pic set.

[JoelHazelton]

Be prepared for heavy brush and thorny things on Rock Creek. Also be sure to bring plenty of warm gear, as it looks like it's going to be a bit chilly in the Mazzies this weekend: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... it=0&lg=en

Arg... As much as I love rain I don't want to pack a tent! Oh well...

[DarthStiller]

(avoiding the Sandy Saddle Trail at all costs).

I heard a rumor that there's actually a trail there. Never saw it, though.

Question: Is the Half Moon Trail worth including as a way to eliminate the shuttle? I've had the impression it was a hellacious cat-claw gauntlet, but I've never hiked it.

It's definitely not worth it. joe can attest to that. His witty one liner at the top of his description pretty much says it all. The trail just disappears at a few different points into shoulder height catclaw. Before it disappears, it narrows as it makes its way thru an open field of catclaw. And then there was the beehive we wandered into...

[Dschur]

Quite a bit of snow on the Mazzies this morning about down to the Barnhardt TH.... and lots of rain in Payson yesterday...

[Alex]

7:30 sounds good.

[PrestonSands]

It's definitely not worth it. joe can attest to that. His witty one liner at the top of his description pretty much says it all. The trail just disappears at a few different points into shoulder height catclaw. Before it disappears, it narrows as it makes its way thru an open field of catclaw. And then there was the beehive we wandered into...

Good to know. No Half Moon Trail then.

[Tough_Boots]

It looks like this weekend the Mazatzals are going to be the HAZatzals! Wow, what a crew.

[te_wa]

Arg... As much as I love rain I don't want to pack a tent! Oh well...

i have a tarp you can use, but you'll need hiking poles to best support it.. on other hand, trees will suffice. tarp is HUGE and @ 19 oz you cant go wrong. you can also use my Tyvek ground cloth, hit me up if interested.

[JoelHazelton]

Mike- I've got a tarp, but I doubt it's 19 ounces (I've also got trekking poles I'll be bringing)... I'm definitely interested.

I've tried slinging a tarp up on hiking poles before. I thought I had the concept down before I tried it, but the execution was horrible. Teach me!

[mazatzal]

I have plans for Sunday but I'd like to dayhike Saturday if that's okay with you Preston. Probably up to the Maz Divide.

I'll be driving from north valley out on Shea Blvd if anyone wants a lift on Saturday.

[te_wa]

here's to hoping the snow sticks to the north slopes, and in the patches along the ground. this could only mean one good thing, an all natural beer cooler - if this is the case, (pun) im happy to pack in a sixer of Modus Hoperandi or somthin'

[PrestonSands]

I have plans for Sunday but I'd like to dayhike Saturday if that's okay with you Preston. Probably up to the Maz Divide.

I'll be driving from north valley out on Shea Blvd if anyone wants a lift on Saturday.

That's fine, dayhikers are welcome, too!

I plan on driving straight to Barnhardt Trailhead from Safford on Saturday morning. If the need for more transportation arises, though, I can detour over to the east valley Saturday am. My truck can seat 3 besides me.

The precip chance has dropped to 10% for Sat night, with a "slight chance" on Sunday. Yay!
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... tType=text