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Safford-Morenci

Posted: Nov 01 2007 7:08 pm
by big_load
I've been thinking about this one since last year, but I have a few questions.

1. How close to the TH can I get in a rental car?
2. Is the mine construction interfering with access or degrading the experience?
3. Is the trail as interesting as it looks? This doesn't look like a classic AZ hike (especially since there's only one trip logged), but for some reason that wall of hills north of the highway makes me want to get out and start walking up.

Re: Safford-Morenci

Posted: Nov 02 2007 4:28 am
by RedRoxx44
This one is on my list. HikeAZ did this one several months ago. I know they plan at some point to do a repeat. Might drop Kurt a PM

Re: Safford-Morenci

Posted: Nov 06 2007 7:49 am
by hikeaz
big_load wrote:I've been thinking about this one since last year, but I have a few questions.

1. How close to the TH can I get in a rental car? At the west end, if it is at all muddy, a 2WD car will likely not make it - no real clearance issues, though.
The east end, on the other hand, isn't too bad - there is one creek crossing (Turkey?) but the water is generally about 6-8 inches deep - Obviously this is variable.

2. Is the mine construction interfering with access or degrading the experience? We went before they got going on the mine expansion in earnest, so I have no up-to-the-minute data, but when we went there was little to no mine blight to be seen.
3. Is the trail as interesting as it looks? It is an interesting and worthwhile hike - Remember, we did it as as a shuttle - If you have to pick an end to go in-and-out from, scenery-wise I'd pick the western T/H to Bonita, although the eastern end has it's attractions as well. The thru-hike hike is quite varying in type of terrain and features. I would doubt that you will see another soul. This doesn't look like a classic AZ hike (especially since there's only one trip logged), but for some reason that wall of hills north of the highway makes me want to get out and start walking up.

Re: Safford-Morenci

Posted: Nov 06 2007 7:54 pm
by PrestonSands
The Safford mine is growing daily, but is not yet a disgusting eye sore. You can kind of see the mine on the left center of this pic: http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=50278