Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 11 2010 10:51 pm

Ok, last minute (sort of) change on this one due to the weather, which creates likely inaccesibility to the Spur Cross TH and taking advantage of the waterfalls, streams and other water features we're likely to see over in the Supes. Probably only 5-6 miles RT, but we can always do some side trips to increase distance, see more, and spend more time. Leaving my house in Mesa at 6:30 am due to the short drive from my house and the late sunrise.

Starting at the Spur Cross Road area and hiking up to the Cottonwood Trail (247), then taking the Skull Mesa Trail (248) up then down the other side of Skull Mesa back to the Cottonwood, and then back to the TH. I think the total mileage on this is a little over 17 miles. I'll start out leaving Mesa at 5:30am to get a jump on the daylight due to the length of the hike.

Dirt4dinner · Post by **Dirt4dinner** » Jan 21 2010 10:30 am

will someone help me carry my kayak on the trail, I am nearly certain it will come in handy at some point.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 21 2010 10:34 am

As long as we can get to the TH, I'm up for something, but obviously the big 17 miler seems out of the question.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 21 2010 2:48 pm

With the continuation of rains I'm out. I'll be heading to the waterpark with the other ten million spectators in the Superstitions on Sat

Big loop out to Charliebois hitting all the rivers if anybody cares to join let me know.

Chris if you see Tyler wearing black zip-off rain pants punch him in the kisser and grab 'em for me

Beware his sidearm buddy ;)

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 21 2010 3:39 pm

I wonder if Massacre Falls is a better idea for this date considering the weather.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 21 2010 3:55 pm

Since the Massacre Trailhead has been closed you could take a more exciting loop from FW
http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=899 (plus a little more off trail jaunt)
It's a rock hop but better than the muddy forest road they call a trail now.

rally_toad · Post by **rally_toad** » Jan 21 2010 7:28 pm

So whats the plan now? I might be in, but not for 17 miles.

JimmyLyding · Post by **JimmyLyding** » Jan 21 2010 9:59 pm

Just saw that Cave Creek is flowing at about the same flow the Colorado River normally flows through the Grand Canyon...

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 21 2010 10:46 pm

I've got a feeling that this one isn't happening. Doesnt look like its even possible to get to the TH. the rain is supposed to stop by Saturday, which gives less than one day before we would get there sunday morning. I still would love to get out somewhere on sunday. Massacre Falls looks very iffy since its probably impossible to get there from 1st water TH. I have a feeling that there won't be much rock hopping possible to get there. Anyone have any suggestions? I remember that the western end of the National Trail has some interesting formations by it that probably carry alot of water, but San Juan road being closed all the time will be a problem.

rally_toad · Post by **rally_toad** » Jan 21 2010 11:24 pm

Massacre falls is easy. Park at Crosscut and walk the road in. I need to hit the last 6 miles (western part) of the national trail so maybe an out and back 14-15 mile hike starting from telegraph pass? Im not sure what trails are out there for a loop, but Im sure that would be an option with all the SoMo trails.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 22 2010 7:18 am

Doesnt FR78 cross a wash before it gets there? If we can all drive to that TH (those with 4x4s), I'm up for that. Any feedback is appreciated. What does everyone want to do?

rally_toad · Post by **rally_toad** » Jan 22 2010 8:20 am

The road to Massacre Falls th is closed anyway( looks like for good), so you have to park at Crosscut and walk to the trailhead, No vehicle would be able to access it. But parking at Crosscut makes it a good 5 + mile hike. I want to get in more than 5 miles so if you end up doing Massacre Falls Im probably out.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 22 2010 9:51 am

But is crosscut even accessible?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 22 2010 10:22 am

Wouldn't matter that much, the Crosscut is pretty close to the Hwy. I haven't seen what they did to the road to the old Massacre Trailhead. It used to be the muddiest place in the Superstitions so I doubt you'd want to hike that if that's considered the trail now. You could park at the Crosscut or that lot closer to the Hwy and take either Jacobs or game trails over to this track http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=923 sventre mentions he was off trail but I know there are trails of use a tad north

SuperstitionGuy · Post by **SuperstitionGuy** » Jan 22 2010 11:02 am

joe bartels wrote: I haven't seen what they did to the road to the old Massacre Trailhead. It used to be the muddiest place in the Superstitions so I doubt you'd want to hike that if that's considered the trail now.

They placed a long east west berm of earth to block access to the wide rocky so called road to the Massacre Trailhead. Don't know if they re-vegetated the road but it should be so that it will grow back to look like a normal desert.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 22 2010 11:18 am

I kind of like this idea. It's a much shorter hike, but with hiking in the mud and various bushwhacking, it might take longer to do and be harder than normal. Plus, we can always hike over to LDSP or 1st Water to check out some other trails and washes. Any of the other committed guys interested in this, or would you rather stay north in Cave Creek? i called Spur Cross and there's no answer. the events they had scheduled for today and tomorrow are cancelled.

Dave1 · Post by **Dave1** » Jan 22 2010 1:26 pm

Stiller wrote:I kind of like this idea. It's a much shorter hike, but with hiking in the mud and various bushwhacking, it might take longer to do and be harder than normal. Plus, we can always hike over to LDSP or 1st Water to check out some other trails and washes. Any of the other committed guys interested in this, or would you rather stay north in Cave Creek? i called Spur Cross and there's no answer. the events they had scheduled for today and tomorrow are cancelled.

I saw a pic of Spur Cross road yesterday and it looks pretty flooded.

I don't have a preference as to where we go, the Supes sound good to me. We should try and take advantage of this recent storm and check out some water features that wouldn't normally be running, even seasonally. I have only done Flat Iron so I don't really have any suggestions on exactly where to go. As long as I'm back to Phoenix by 9:00pm I'm up for anything.

If we need to do some light water crossings to get to the TH, I have a 4wd Tacoma. Its only a 2 seater but if people want to ride in the bed its ok with me.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jan 22 2010 1:39 pm

Now that's what I'm talking about, spirit with the present opportunity in mind!

nonot · Post by **nonot** » Jan 22 2010 2:02 pm

SuperstitionGuy wrote:
joe bartels wrote: I haven't seen what they did to the road to the old Massacre Trailhead. It used to be the muddiest place in the Superstitions so I doubt you'd want to hike that if that's considered the trail now.
They placed a long east west berm of earth to block access to the wide rocky so called road to the Massacre Trailhead. Don't know if they re-vegetated the road but it should be so that it will grow back to look like a normal desert.

There's actually several levels of dirt berms now, and I don't believe they revegetated the road. What with all the potassium from shotgun shells lying around and the dead saguaros from said shotgun shrapnel, the place has plenty of fertilizer to grow back.

DarthStiller · Post by **DarthStiller** » Jan 22 2010 2:18 pm

I've officially changed this one now. See my first post (now edited). Leaving 6:30am from my house now. Maybe we can get back some of the cancelled and gain some undecideds.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Jan 22 2010 3:42 pm

Anything in the supes sounds good to me. The Crosscut TH is at the end of broadway?

Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24

Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Cottonwood/Skull Mesa Lasso Loop Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24

Re: Massacre Falls via Crosscut TH Sunday Jan. 24