HikeArizona.COM

So I may be directionally challenged but I can’t figure this out. I read the step by step directions to the East Divide Trail via Ash Creek and I looked at the posted gps driving route and the 2 don’t match up.

I’m planning on hiking Bassett in a few weeks and can’t figure out how to get there from Tucson. I’m clear on Fort Grant to Ash Creek. It seems like a straight shot to the trailhead but some mention Sunset loop.

Any help appreciated. I do have a 4 wheel drive car.

Thanks!

AllTrails route is 2 hr 15 minutes
Hike Arizona write up is 3 hours
Hike Arizona GPS directions 2 hr 30 mins

@Jsaltzman
The 8-step directions as indicated "From Phoenix or Tucson" on the description page for both [ Bassett Peak ] and [ East Divide Trail #287 - Galiuro ] will get you there correctly. There's even a GPS route to make it crystal clear.
Drive time estimates may vary due to the amount of dirt road and rural paved driving that may be signed 45mph but some may find 75mph suitable. That's up to you. I can get there from PHX in a few minutes under 3 hours, but on a first visit I'd plan on 2:30 from the 10/19 split. If you beat that by a few minutes, bonus.

@chumley

On a somewhat related note, do you know anything about the status of access to the nearby High Creek TH?

@big_load
afaik no issues getting there via FR 159.

@chumley

Thanks! I think I'd consider that as a starting point if I were going back to Bassett Peak. I may have done the walk from the Ash Creek TH too many times, although the water source is nice.

Years ago that section of the east divide was a bit of a bushwack. But that was a long time ago and there may have been trail maintenance done. The trail going north from that intersection was fine.

@RedRoxx44 @big_load as of last year, still a solid effort of route-finding adventure!

@chumley
I can't believe the last time I hiked up the East Divide Trail was 2009. Back then, it was so badly overgrown between High Creek and the canyon with Holdout Cave that I got off onto a game trail that for a distance was more open than the real trail.

Anyway, sorry for the hijack. I need to get back to the Galiuros and address some unfinished business.

@big_load
High Creek to Holdout is in good shape. Relatively speaking.

The last part of the road to the informal parking for Ash Creek is in good shape. It looks like they have had a Cat or a grader in there for part of it. It also looks like some pretty good flooding this past year. The small hard dip near the end is filled in with gravel but other parts have more boulder protrusion. There is a large oak down over the last part right before the defunct gate when the trail starts. Lots of bear poop.

Jsaltzman wrote:It seems like a straight shot to the trailhead but some mention Sunset loop.

Sunset Loop was perhaps a loop long ago. Now it is just a North/South road.
[ Ash Creek Rd - Formerly Sunset Loop ]
I corrected the directions.

Jsaltzman wrote:Hike Arizona write up is 3 hours
Hike Arizona GPS directions 2 hr 30 mins

Sorry to all that lost an hour of precious sleep, it was incorrect(incorrect from Flag, Phx & Tuc).
The estimated times in directions come from Google. Either I created it during rush hour (forgot to adjust the start time), or there was a delay/etc that I missed.

Thanks for the heads up.

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