Tonto Narrows Access

[mcoplea]

I know the main TH access to the Tonto Narrows is now closed. We are looking for some alternate routes to get back there for a dayhike. Anyone know of a good TH or access point to hike back there now?

Thanks!

Admin edit: use this route

[Dirk2290]

@ Grasshopper, Yes, I do have someone that always runs a GPS track, and I will upload that as well. Why do you suppose some members would be that 2 Forest Rangers would lie to me?

[big_load]

Why do you suppose some members would be that 2 Forest Rangers would lie to me?

Nobody said the rangers were lying. However, they basically told you that the "No Parking" signs were beyond their purview, so if the county is the correct authority, it seems prudent to check with them yourself. You can't be sure that the rangers talked to the right county people, or that those county people weren't mistaken.

[Dirk2290]

Did you see the email that the Ranger sent to me stating that he verfied with Gila County that Gila County did not post those signs. It was probably the private landowners, and no one can blae them, but we have every legal riugh to park there. So I am going to park there and print out the emai lfrom the Ranger and place it under my windshield. If I get towed, oh well, it is what it is. I will enjoy the day canyoneering upstream havng a blast. I doubt very much I will get towed. I will park off the road in the ditch....lol......place a wheel lock on it, tie it to a tree, and leave my pitbull in the bed ......lol.......

[big_load]

Did you see the email that the Ranger sent to me stating that he verfied with Gila County that Gila County did not post those signs.

Yes, I did. Now you tell me: who exactly verified it? Is there a name or a title, telephone number or email address? It would be handy to have that kind of information if you were confronted by either the county or the person who may have illegally posted them. It would also be useful to know why Gila County doesn't remove the signs if they're not legitimate, and they might be more likely to do so if they received more direct inquiries.

[joebartels]

Squaw Peak is for beginners and pretentious regulars that are afraid to go anywhere else other than Camelback and Pinnacle Peak. Careful guys, don't alwasy judge a book by it's cover...

Are you seriously calling me a pretentious beginner (the guy that offered an alternative route on forest land around private property without jumping fences) then in the very next sentence doing a 180 turn saying don't judge a book by it's cover?

No need to answer that I understand the internet tends to make people type without thinking, I do it all the time. Sorry if I offended you, not my intention, hopefully likewise too. Anyhow, I do look forward to hearing how it turns out.

[Dirk2290]

No you are right, my apologies. Sorry about that. Internet does make us type before we think......sorry......

[joebartels]

no problem
when you get back please post a triplog as you originally did(not in this forum), many look forward to hearing about it

[Dirk2290]

@ Big Load, I understand that it may be a more of a relief for you to start calling aroubnf to GIla County, but I have faith in the two Federal Employees of which I pay their salalries through my taxes, and if I do get towed, I will make known publically that I was given ill information from Federal Rangers. BUt, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. Wat if I get up there and there is a dozen other vehicles there.....lol......would they seriously tow all those vehicles and then purposely know that they are stranding people in the wilderness. I think that would be very bad publicity. "Woman evacuated out by helicopter due to car towed from wilderness trailhead. Almost dies of dehydration". I can't stand the ACLU, but I would call them for this one....lol.......

[Dirk2290]

@ Joe, I will certainly post the reuslts, good or bad......

[hikeaz]

According to a note I received from TNF, the 'no parking' signs are placed by local landowners and are nonenforceable (this is a county road administered/maintained by Gila county). TNF suggested that one park near the newly-constructed gate and then make one's way due east, staying south of the fence-line to avoid private property, to the creek - they even sent a hand-marked map. At this point, or nearby, cross the creek and proceed upstream on the east side (aka creek left) of Tonto Creek to the narrows or beyond. From the gate to the narrows is about 1.5 miles. Of course this route is predicated on a low enough flow to safely ford the creek, but if you are going to the narrows to swim......
Narrows -34,7,35,-111,15,4,3010 +/-.
Gauge > http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site ... cy_cd=USGS

[Dirk2290]

triplog at http://hikearizona.com/TL.php?ID=62985

Here is the GPS Track!

[big_load]

Thanks for posting your adventure. I'm glad you made it and I hope the parking difficulty gets resolved soon without further inconvenience to hikers or harm to their vehicles.

[nonot]

triplog at http://hikearizona.com/TL.php?ID=62985

Here is the GPS Track!

Thanks for the picture, FYI you can also upload the gps route to HAZ from any page, upper left. (Post -> GPS)

[sbowlby]

I am looking at going in there this Friday and Saturday with a group of scouts to do a little clean up and have some summer fun. Is there any way I can get theGPS route in the picture above

[chumley]

Unfortunately, Dirk2290 did not upload the track to the site, so it is not something that you can download unless you get it directly from him. (you might try a PM).
Of course it would be most helpful if he posted the GPS track so that you and anybody else could download it.

[Dschur]

I am looking at going in there this Friday and Saturday with a group of scouts to do a little clean up and have some summer fun. Is there any way I can get theGPS route in the picture above

I believe this is in the closed section of the Tonto National Forest ....on the east side of HWY 87 from Four Peaks road on up to Payson... Gisela is enclosed in the area....

[chumley]

I believe this is in the closed section of the Tonto National Forest ....on the east side of HWY 87 from Four Peaks road on up to Payson... Gisela is enclosed in the area....

That is INCORRECT. The forest is open from the junction of 87 and 188 all the way to the control road north of Payson. You will have no access problems there this weekend.
See closure map here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6255#p72378

[Dschur]

Looked at the map wrong... sorry ... Was reading it just up past Gisela....but see that it is 188....

[sbowlby]

Thanks for the help I will PM and if not I will take the other route, I will post the results

[joebartels]

Kathleen sent me this pdf of what is posted at the old access.

Hellsgate Wilderness Closure.pdf

(96.33 KiB) Downloaded 124 times

It reads like it was posted by the residents. The first line seems questionable and other obvious laws seem to be stated as pointless scare tactics. If anything residents that disrespect access to our natural resources should lose their privileged property in my opinion...

once again this route here is more fun than walking that road anyhow