Mazatzal Wilderness Area

[FOTG]

I have already sent a PM to the most obvious person on HAZ for info in this area, but thought I would get a couple opinions before everyone heads out for the weekend..found tons of photo-sets for these areas, but most descriptions are still a little incomplete..

Here it is Canyon cancelled, still too much snow along Ash Creek, so planning on the fly, any information about the following would be appreciated..so here is a very tentative, and yes atrociously long loop I was thinking for an over night trip and first trip to Mazatzals..

I want to utilize the Verde River Trail #11 and I am thinking about starting at the TH near Dead Man Mesa or the TH near Twin Buttes (which I hear devolves into a pretty rough road from description, so might have to park further from TH and walk in)

so plan would be Trail #17 (Dead Man Mesa Trail) to trail #11 Verde River Trail, from here I know I have obvious out and back options, but I would love to try and make a loop of it, the best loop I am seeing is..from Verde River Trail it looks like one can take the High Water Trail #20 to #269 (West Bottom) to #34 Bull Springs Trail back up to Trail #14 (Saddle Ridge Trail) and then make my way towards where ever I choose to go in TH near Twin Buttes or Dead Man Mesa..I know miles will be long and tons of AEG, my biggest concern though is following trails, are they bushwhacks? have they been abandoned for 20 years? or just way to ambitious? etc..I also read a few trip-logs that say the miles are way to low listed on FS page..I don't mind a couple 15-19 mile days, not trying to do a 30 mile hike out on day two though..

Finally, I see you can make a nice little lolipop loop with an and out and back using the Verde River Trail, High Water Trail, West Bottom back to south end of Verde Trail..seems to be a more tame first time hike, and way less miles..Alternatively, I see some people start the Verde Trail from South, but I hear this is a 45 mile plus trip by back roads, is that true?

any suggestions for these areas would be great, in particular, some insider tips on getting to these THs...also if anyone wants to come, we can call it an event..very early Sunday or even Sat night to Monday...but don't plan on putting as official event..

one last quick question..anyone know if they do a Green Trails Map for this area?

[mazatzal]

Toddak did a loop using cross country, verde river trail and back on deadmans mesa trail http://hikearizona.com/trip=61218

Joe and Bruce did a loop at the using red creek / verde river / highwater trails http://hikearizona.com/trip=70488 & http://hikearizona.com/trip=70481

Based on the state of red hills (terrible), upper willow springs (terrible) and upper davenport I wouldn't rely on much remaining of upper wet bottom trail.

Twin buttes is easy to drive to but deadmans mesa is rocky. if you did toddak's route you don't need to drive deadmans mesa.

[FOTG]

@mazatzal
thanks I have also been told, probably plenty of little exploring to do along Verde, so maybe I change plans and just make this a nice trip to river, gain a better idea of area, trails, and make it a less intense out and back..great links actually..I think I am getting it all put together now..

http://hikearizona.com/x.php?x=70481

Joe has not steered me wrong "yet" so I might go with this one, or some variation, a little worried about route finding, from trip-log sounded a little sketchy, but I guess if I stay on that track, I cant go wrong right..?

[mazatzal]

Crossings should be okay-ish
Verde river at Tangle Creek:
Today: 231 cfs
1/21/12: 278 cfs (Joe and Bruce's day)
http://www.srpwater.com/dwr/

Video of Joe's crossing...
https://www.youtube.com/embed/gPnoMrzSUbE

Might be a bit deep for the dogs?

[FOTG]

@mazatzal
Na dogs are better swimmers than me ;) thanks a lot..I will treat your stomping grounds well..hey plenty of spots to camp right? if you got a nice one with fire wood within a mile you should send me a PM..lol

[FOTG]

@mazatzal
great video!...should be fun, actually more excited to go now..maybe I can work on a new avatar of me falling on my *&^ crossing the Verde...dogs always make it across don't worry, they just might float down stream a bit...

[mazatzal]

There may be ATVs on the way down Red Creek but complete solitude after that.
I'd like to join you for that loop but I have to work on Monday

[The_Eagle]

great video!...should be fun,

Thanks.. I lost my favorite Chicago Bears Scandal while filming... If you find it please return it...

[FOTG]

@The Eagle
Being from Michigan, I will be sure to throw that sandal in fire if I find it

[chumley]

@friendofThundergod
It'll be easy to find. It'll be right next to his walker.

[The_Eagle]

@friendofThundergod I'm from Michigan too... but the Lions Suck
@Dumbley ---

[te_wa]

so hey if you come to the confluence of fossil creek and the verde, i hear it's a nice spot to meet one mr. Henry Rollins, who does an annual kayak paddle thru that area with a few friends in the spring.

i've thought about doing whiterock mesa on the azt to east verde, downstream (hidden ruins?) to the verde, back up twin buttes loop. hardscrabble must be circumnavigated (off the top of my head).
but your trip sounds cool, too!

[FOTG]

@te-wa
Somebody did give me some vague hints of ruins in area so might just scale back hike and save a little time for exploring

[BobP]

Ohhh. I have a 30ish mile loop in that area I've been Jones ing to do.. But can't this weekend

[FOTG]

@BobP
I am thinking more 30ish for 2 days, something tells me you thinking for the day..lol

[FOTG]

So Mazatzals ended up being great, have not even had chance to write proper triplog, but one of highlights was seeing elk at about 5400 hundred feet on hike in, first close encounter on foot for me, no pics was too busy making sure dogs didnt go after, but Ithought about it, don't think I have ever seen elk at that low of elevation. In fact, they were the last thing I probably expexted to see on trail to be honest..is that a little low for elk? Trail guy said dry winter has them all over this year...saw two herds on forest road in as well...

On unrelated wildlife viewing note, just saw two javelina literally foraging in plants outside of LA fitness on 23rd and northern...product of dry winter as well or more normal than I think?

[The_Eagle]

elk at about 5400 hundred feet

..is that a little low for elk?

Last March saw them at 3800' on the way to Barnhardt #43

[chumley]

Elk absolutely destroy the golf courses around Payson, at elevations at least as low as 4,800 as a regular occurrence, not an unusual or drought-based activity at all.

[big_load]

Elk absolutely destroy the golf courses around Payson,

Are they not replacing their divots?

[FOTG]

@chumley
Ya I mean we have elk in Michigan so I knew possible, just didnt know the norm for AZ..