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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.

This should be a great trip!

I'm looking forward to it! As long as everything works out I am thinking about heading up Friday afternoon with my Brother and possibly my wife.

I'm puttin' myself back on the interested list. MRI says its a minor tear, I'm feeling better every day, and I have a week and a half to heal. I'll see how it goes. I'll decide next week but if I want to go and still play it safe, I have to option of cheating and forfeiting the rim climb. I can park on the little forest rd that parallel's the trail on the north side of 300 and meet you guys for the easy part. I could really use some time at the lake.

So bummed...I have a freakin' huge work conference that weekend in Tampa, FL. Swing just one time in the hammock for me...and pour one out for your homey who is stuck at work!

Fishing report for Knoll:
KNOLL LAKE — The FR 300 is open on the Coconino National Forest side, but not from the Woods Canyon Lake side. No reports from anglers. Fishing should be fairly decent for the larger hold-over trout, but catch rates might start off a little slow until the water warms a few degrees and the trout get into higher activity patterns.

allanalxndr wrote:The FR 300 is open on the Coconino National Forest side, but not from the Woods Canyon Lake side.

Do you know when they usually open the other end? It's so much faster!

Tough_Boots wrote:

allanalxndr wrote:The FR 300 is open on the Coconino National Forest side, but not from the Woods Canyon Lake side.

Do you know when they usually open the other end? It's so much faster!

Last I have seen reported from both FS and AZGFD is May 15th.

Tough_Boots wrote:Do you know when they usually open the other end? It's so much faster!

te-wa wrote:

Isn't is like 45 minutes faster to hit 300 from the 260? I'm so confused... am I missing a bad joke?

Knoll lake turnoff from either side is the same distance. nearly 25 miles, either end.

I'll put in

Edit: I'm still in

Where are the valley folks meeting in Fountain Hills?
I'll have a couple open seats as well. Joel already called shotgun.

I'm in! and already (mostly) packed!

wow this is a great turnout. HAZ in effect!

we should meet at the (safe to park overnight) Ft. McDowell Casino. Take Beeline northeast past Shea about 2 miles. At the Second stoplight across from the Gas station, turn left and then another left into the parking lot. we'll be there in front.
8 am

just so you guys know, there are now 12-13 going. that's great! there is plenty of parking and the road is paved the entire drive, the hike has 2 personalities and starkly contrasting views (both good).

There is more than enough room for the entire group to camp nearby, share a fire, etc.
the flat area I have in mind held 13 of us last year, including 5 hangers.

see ya on Saturday

Most likely I'll be there waiting for everyone on 300 but I'm not ready to commit yet.

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.

I did it 2 months ago and the trail was in great shape although it was mostly white on the rim.....it was easier for me to just follow Bruno's tracks instead of the cairns. I remember on the other side when the number changes to Babe Haught 88....some of the cairns are like 6ft tall. Its a fun hike down to the lake...enjoy.

I was up there 4 weeks ago and all of the cairns have recently been replace/rebuilt. The trees are regrowing well and hides the trail in some areas once on top. There has been some erosion on the trail just above the Fish Hatchery, it gets a little thin. The new logging roads on top tossed me for a loop though.

Just to recap, Jen (my wife) and Colton (coltonalxndr, my brother) will be heading up Friday afternoon as long as everything works out this week.

Tewa - The spot you camped last May when we spotted each other up there is covered in water. The fire pit was under water 4 weeks ago. I'll set up in the 1st spot right at the lake and if we need to move we can Saturday when everyone arrives. I'll have wood and everything gathered by then(that's the plan anyway). Slim pickings on the downed trees so it might take a bit of gathering.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. Should be an awesome time.

Roger, Trip and myself are in.
We'll be camping near the TH friday night and will plan to be at the TH waiting for the group by 9:30 Saturday morning.

Kate/Roger: You'll pass the Lower Tonto and Upper Tonto campgrounds and the t/h to Horton Creek/Derrick trail. About 4 miles further? is the end of the road, if you have a chance, go on a quicky tour of the Hatchery. Its pretty incredible that they grow trout from eggs to stocking size, up to 4 lbs!

I think camping along the creek is a no-no, just dont make a campfire and do a stealth camp, so that little geek who closes the hatchery gate doesnt see you and try to start trouble.