the great Knoll Lake escape

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Apr 11 2011 9:18 pm

What: Babe Haught trail starting at the Tonto fish hatchery and climbing the ridge to the top, stopping at the lake. 5 miles each way, moderate difficulty.
What else: fishing, dining, good times with friends before the Rim camping season kicks off. we'll likely have solitude, see some wildlife, and catch some trout.
When: end of April
Why: this is a great, moderate hike. not an easy stroll, but not gonna kill you either. trail climbs the Mogollon rim over the course of 3.5 miles and switchbacks are in place to ease the pain. its 6000 ft elevation will provide great temps, a bit on the cool side for most, but the views both off the rim and into the canyon that houses Knoll lake are superior.
Who: YOU!

come join us. we'll leave saturday and hike up to stay the night with beverages, good food and a fun crowd. road is paved all the way in. trail is in good shape. return to the valley on sunday with a belly full of Beeline malts and a sd card full of jpegs. do it!

please prepare for temps found on the forecast popup,
please be willing to meet at 8am at the eastern side of the Fort McDowell Casino. look for the 'outdoorsey' types.

John9L · Post by **John9L** » Apr 27 2011 7:56 am

I'm curious if you mind one more tagging along? This is turning into an epic backpack trip and I'd like to get in on it. I would meet up Saturday morning at Fort McDowell and hopefully jump in with someone if there is room. And I would be happy to throw in some gas money because its outta control!

BobP · Post by **BobP** » Apr 27 2011 9:37 am

The blue line to the rim is the trail. For those camping, the thumb tack is a decent area to camp with nice views. I've camped there a few times in the last 20 years including last year. The road is dirt and in good shape just keep staying left. The right fork leads to new homes being built in the area where Zane Grey's real cabin was. There are a couple fire rings. Every time I've been there, I've been the only one but it probably gets traffic on the w/e. Camping within 200 yards of the creek is a no-no but falling asleep while fishing is ok :whistle:

skatchkins · Post by **skatchkins** » Apr 27 2011 9:41 am

@John9L

There will be seats and or extra tie-downs
It sounds like you won't be able to throw a hot dog up there and not hit a HAZ'r.

Yeah that came out right.

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Apr 27 2011 9:56 am

skatchkins wrote:It sounds like you won't be able to throw a hot dog up there and not hit a HAZ'r.

Swing a dead cat?

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Apr 27 2011 12:37 pm

I think I'm going to do a couple miles at Papago tomorrow morning before work and see how it feels. I'll be committing tomorrow as long as everything feels pretty good and be the gimp waiting on Rim Road for the easy part. This crew is looking ridiculously good.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Apr 27 2011 12:53 pm

Tough_Boots wrote:I think I'm going to do a couple miles at Papago tomorrow morning before work and see how it feels. I'll be committing tomorrow as long as everything feels pretty good and be the gimp waiting on Rim Road for the easy part. This crew is looking ridiculously good.

suggestion, bring a 12 pack of craft beer to share so we dont throw dirt clods at you. gimp.

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Apr 27 2011 1:15 pm

Sweet! I promise not to bring any uranium either.

kate · Post by **kate** » Apr 27 2011 2:48 pm

Our group is down 1. My brother Trip can't make it so it will just be Roger and myself. Just in case total group size matters.

More beer for us!

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Apr 27 2011 4:45 pm

I will bring beer and a truckload of feral cats from the Gilbert Preserve.

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Apr 28 2011 10:12 am

See you sucka's at the top of the rim! I'll be the devilishly handsome bearded gimp.

skatchkins · Post by **skatchkins** » Apr 28 2011 7:02 pm

Seriously though I will have extra hotdogs. But you may have to use Little Debbie snacks for buns.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Apr 28 2011 7:51 pm

holy mother what the.. nathan's hot dogs wrapped in nutty bars? that sounds delicious.

PaleoRob · Post by **PaleoRob** » Apr 28 2011 8:57 pm

My wife's health has taken a sudden turn for the worse. I'm going to have to bow out and take care of her this weekend. I am severely disappointed, because I was looking forward to this trip for some time now.

supai · Post by **supai** » Apr 28 2011 9:06 pm

It is going to be very windy fyi bring your wind stuff. My friend and I camped up there about this time last year when wind was forecast and it was out of control windy but I am sure all of you can handle it. I really wish I could have gone on this trip but I just got an 8 week old puppy and wow he has consumed almost all of my time and I think that is a little more than he can handle at this point. I am almost thinking about just car camping it with him I want to get him out in the woods from day one.

. I should be able to locate you guys if I do decide to come up and say hi but roughly were are you going to be camping? I drive a big white gas guzzling chevy so it shouldn't be hard to spot me if you do see me please say hi!

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Apr 28 2011 9:32 pm

@PageRob

total bummer! I wish her good health.

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Apr 28 2011 10:49 pm

Tough_Boots wrote: FYI, for those who haven't done the Babe Haught before-- the trail is a mess from the top of the rim to 300 but decently cairned in spots-- it shouldn't be a problem for anyone but just a heads up . I talked to the Mogollon District this morning and there's been no work on it since I've hiked it last so I'm assuming its the same.

We only got lost twice! On the way up to Knoll Lake, and on the way back. We weren't really lost, however, just experiencing a more-widely-varied hiking experience. I wish I was back home to partake in this adventure because it looks awesome.
Bearing Down on Yosemite being thawed-out enough for a fun trip next weekend.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Apr 29 2011 11:29 am

please be willing to meet at 8am at the eastern side of the Fort McDowell Casino. look for the 'outdoorsey' types.

berkforbes · Post by **berkforbes** » Apr 29 2011 12:01 pm

So i guess its just not in the cards to get back on the trail just yet...

Hopefully next time

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Apr 29 2011 12:48 pm

also in case anyone wants to bring something extra cushy but doesn't want to lug it up the rim but can carry it in from 300, feel free to drop it off with me in Tempe and I'll get it there for you. I'll be at work at Changing Hands until 9pm. I don't know what that would be but I thought I would offer.

If you folks are getting to the TH at 9:30, I'll be at the road crossing around 10 or 10:30 just to be safe.

JoelHazelton · Post by **JoelHazelton** » Apr 29 2011 1:25 pm

Tough_Boots wrote:also in case anyone wants to bring something extra cushy but doesn't want to lug it up the rim but can carry it in from 300, feel free to drop it off with me in Tempe and I'll get it there for you. I'll be at work at Changing Hands until 9pm. I don't know what that would be but I thought I would offer.

Holy crap that's tempting! I really would love to have my guitar. Hmm...

the great Knoll Lake escape

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