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It rained on my parade this past weekend so I wimped out on myself. However the drive to the trailhead was very scenic and the road in good shape for SUV's; all the creek crossings have water. So I am going to try again this weekend. If you up for it see below---
For those who may be interested I plan on hiking to Pueblo Canyon off Cherry Creek Road Sat Nov 8th. If anyone is interested meet me at the Mickey D's parking lot next to the new Days Inn in Globe between 6:00-6:30 am.
Some info- this hike is in the book "Ruins seldom seen" and you can use directions as to Devils Chasm on this site.
Vehicle- HCV- 2Wd should be ok, there are several creek crossings but likely dry or low, past Cherry Creek road will be rocky and rough. I have not been on it since last spring. Dirt road driving is about 25 miles.
Hike- about 6+ miles rt - hiker made trail, if tender skinned wear long sleeved shirt and pants, its a bushwack for part and take the smallest day pack, those branches will grab your hat and camera strap. Hike goes thru forrested area past an old mine and behind a seasonal waterfall to three alcoves with unrestored Salado or Sinagua ruins, some poor pictographs and archeological graffity. Due to drive time and to spend time at ruins plan on all day. Most would consider this hike moderate(Ok easy for the younger set, but be prepared for hanging onto some tree limbs and possible butt scooting- but mostly a walk thru)
I'll be the red head in the red jeep!!! Come early if you can- the drive takes a while!!

RedRoxx44 wrote:For those who may be interested I plan on hiking to Pueblo Canyon off Cherry Creek Road Sat Nov 1st.

AAAUUUUGGGGHHHH! Wouldn't you know it! Would have consider coming down from Prescott Valley for this one. However, just promised my mom yesterday afternoon late I would be up at her place in Ash Fork to help her move some heavy items.

Keep promising myself to head back in that region and spend a few days camping and exploring. I love it. I think the fascinating thing about the dwellings is the swiping hand prints plastering on the mud. Imagine! Placing your hand over the hand prints 800+ years old! Talk about wonders.

Beautiful rugged country. Beautiful hike. Beautiful drive. It will be a great day for it. Be safe.

In response to RedRoxx44's reply: For those who may be interested I plan on hiking to Pueblo Canyon off Cherry Creek Road Sat Nov 1st.


This sounds awesome and count me in! What's the approx elevation gain on this hike?

I read up on this hike but nixxed it because my little Sedan would never make it to the TH. So I was going to do Parker Creek in the Sierras this weekend but will put that one on hold for now.

I'll send you a PM a little later. Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday

Trish

Come one come all- Re Trish the elevation gain is probably around 1500 feet in all- the first 1000 in the first mile, basically up an old mining trail. If the road is not closed I'll probably take my Jeep up part of it and park and hike. Once you top out looking into the canyon the trail contours around the canyon wall with some ups and downs but little elevation change.

I'm there! Definitely count me in.

See above edit- I will try again this weekend as it looks like better weather for the hike. The meeting place stays the same even though we will have to backtrack to Hwy 188. No cars please, I had to tow a van who drove to slowly thru the Devils' Chasm dip and got stuck. Actually the road is in good shape, and SUV should be fine.

We would like to join you, but this Saturday is all ready booked for us.

In 1996 we found this hike in our Exploring AZ book. unfortunatly there was not enoegh information to find the ruins. My wife and I made two seperate attempts over the following 12 months with no luck. About that time, we had to stop because we had a our first little one coming and we have not made it back since. I have several nice photos of the area and the dead cow that was leaning against the fence at one of the gates coming in. We just could not sort out the trail across the canyon (past Cherry Creek.) We did hike up a couple of the of the canyons on the road side of the Cherry Creek on a separate visit.

As we could see the ruins across the canyon from the forestry road we assumed that this was our destination. We crossed Cherry Creek at the monitor station next to the horse corral below Devils Chasm and started from there. We were unsuccessful at completing the trail due to time in the day and the elusiveness of the trail at that time. I have at times thought that we started from the wrong location.

We were accompanied by a couple experienced hikers and at least two working surveyors and both times we had no luck. Since then we had heard that a fire had hit the area a few years ago and then there were land slides. It is good to hear that the area has recovered. Since sprouting a family, we have also recently recovered and have begun hiking again.

We have a visitor coming from Switzerland and were discussing trying to attempt this trek again during his visit. I was wondering how complete is the information in Ruins Seldom Seen or would you have a better description that could lead us to through the trail finally?

DomLauri

I can't make it...will be hiking elsewhere...but wanted to let people know that this is absolutely one of the best hikes in AZ!

The hike is steep and pretty tough but more than worth the effort. People who are afraid of heights might have trouble on this one.

domlauri wrote:I was wondering how complete is the information in Ruins Seldom Seen or would you have a better description that could lead us to through the trail finally?

DomLauri

go with the book it's complete
BTW, Dave is now on the web at
http://ruinsseldomseen.com

the hike is also listed on HAZ at
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=581

I followed the directions in the book and found it no trouble- but I am used to hiking off trail or following game or very faint trails. The link Joe provided describes Devil's Chasm, Pueblo is beyond that trailhead less than two miles. The old mining road described is actually drivable a short distance with off road tires. I am afraid of heights but did this hike ok though at some steps you surely do not want to step off the trail. This hike is a slow one due to rough terrain but should be doable by most people who are used to Az hiking!!

opps my bad, I thought domlauri was talking about Devils Chasm

I wish I could go but can't on Saturdays. If anybody is interested in a Sunday or Monday hike this weekend let me know

There is one road tip not mentioned in the book; once you cross Cherry Creek the last time with Elliston Ranch (Spelling??) on the left, shortly will be a sign Road Closed due to flood damage, ignore sign and proceed. Road will fork shortly after a rocky section and you need to take the left fork and climb up. Pueblo does not follow the canyon, it approaches the rim opposite the ruins then contours along the canyon wall and heads the canyon- then goes right to the ruins.

RedRoxx do you know what these ruins are named?

http://hikearizona.com/photocodeZOOM.php?ID=69

The Views of the canyon looks like Coopers Fork ruins but the ruins themselves I am not sure. Nighthiker seems to know this area well, you might post a pm to him or maybe he can respond to this post.