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I’m planning a trip with a buddy of mine for 28-30th, and I really want to be out and away from the masses

Usually I’ve heard of a canyon, some interesting formations, ruins etc that I wanna check out, So I grab a map and come up with a route, unfortunately this time I am drawing a complete blank, nothing comes to mind

I’m counting on some good ideas from you guys,

couple things

1) 12-18miles
2) unlimited elevation gain
3) preferably a stream, spring etc somewhere near
4) cross country not an issue
5) hopefully something interesting to explore/enjoy/photograph

Ruins would be great, although I understand if you wouldn’t want to divulge that sort of info

from Twin Buttes trailhead (near hardscrabble rd.) down to Doll Baby Ranch th and hike down into E. Verde river canyon with a trek up to T.B. trailhead on day 2. Trails may or may not be discernable. E. Verde might pose canyoneering potential. There are likely undisclosed ruins in the canyon. (as there are in Hardscrabble canyon and throughout the area) Not sure on mileage, looks like about 22
unexplored area with no public triplogs that I know of.
IF you could hold off until April-4/5 Id be dying to join you guys
this map link might work: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?ZTN=883&DYNA=1

I went and looked at some Topos of the area, theres actually a trail between twin buttes and doll baby - doubt it gets much use though

then drop down into the canyon.... from there it looked like youd have to follow it to the confluence with the verde and back out to TB

Sounds like a good trip, I can probably wait on that one till the 4-5th, maybe we could get some others to join?

looking at some old topos ~1950's, there were quite a few interesting things in the area worth checking out that arent on new ones

Any other ideas then for a trip on the 28-30th??

absolutely... the map shows trails just like you described. I think the terrain allows for picking our way down into the E. Verde Canyon even off trail- once in the canyon proper just avoid snags and falls, if any. Im sure this is a loop done before its just never been detailed as far as I know. ;-)
for this weekend, I have no ideas. concentrating on prepping my truck for sale.

Getting rid of the Montero? Replacing it with a Jeep? :mrgreen:

now why in the heck would I trade a Filet Mignon for a pack of Ramen?
Im selling the Ranger to make way for a new F650 GS Dakar

te-wa wrote:now why in the heck would I trade a Filet Mignon for a pack of Ramen?

Haha wow... And that would make my Sentra...? Fish pellets, possibly?

so any other ideas guys?

I imagine that Cherry Creek would be pretty nice about now, haven't seen any triplogs from there in the past few weeks.

Crocodile Ryan wrote:so any other ideas guys?

well, there are numerous (dozens) of unused trails in the Mazatzal range. I would second place nominate the Barnhardt to Sandy Saddle to Mazatzal Divide loop. http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=913
third choice is the Deer Creek to waterfall out and back. Start at D.C. trailhead and hike the creek bottom all the way up to the headwaters of Deer Creek. To get there you'll pass the area where Gowan set up camp and then the creek turns abruptly North. About 1/4 mile past the bend, you will come to an impassible waterfall about 60' in height. About a 9 mile EACH way trip. Past the waterfall if you find a way up and around it you will likely see evidence of pot farming and I dont recommend going in there without an arsenal of self-defence just in case you run into some banditos. true story. http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=35

Look at the Mazatzal wilderness map and you'll see Bear Spring at the head of Deer Creek. Just south of the spring on the map, and 1/4 inch left of the word "deer" is the waterfall. This is prime exploring area and prolly hasnt been seen since Steve and I got stuck down in there. (and we were going down hill!)

The South Fork/Gold Ridge Loop seemed pretty far off of the beaten path even if the trailhead is right off of SR 87. South Fork (of Deer Creek) isn't even a trail, but rather a trek up a stream bottom. It's probably got a fair amount of water in it right now.