Rick's Big Boy Adventure, Winter Camping
Posted: Feb 01 2002 5:00 am
I posted this on the old site this morning as well but I thought I'd get things started by posting this:
Thanks to all for their suggestions on a winter hike. I decided, despite the cold and snow, to camp on the rim. As FR300 was closed, I camped on the rim off Young Road. Fortunately it was a calm night and wind wasn’t an issue. I had the option of sleeping in the Jeep or pitching my tent, I chose the tent. I brought along our new Coleman propane heater that has the battery operated blower on it. At first I had it in the tent with me, but that proved to be too hot, so I set the heater outside the door of the tent and it worked perfectly. By 6:00 pm I was all setup and decided to take a walk. It was crystal clear and the sky was brilliant with starlight. I started the walk with my headlamp but soon turned it off because it was bright enough without it. After a mile or so, I came across scat evidence of a large herd of Elk, but I never did see the little rascals. I got back to camp by 9:00 pm and made some hot chocolate. My campsite was within 30 feet of the rim and the view of the valley was spectacular. I was warm and toasty in the tent and slept very well. The next morning, I drove to Roosevelt Dam and hiked the Vineyard trail for 5-6 miles. I’ll be posting a trail description next week. I’m now hooked on winter camping, more later.
This is one of those hikes that is strictly for the cooler winter and fall months. Shade doesn't exist and the sun can be brutal. The first 3/4 of a mile of the trail rises approx 800 feet, it quite a slough but worth the view of the dam. If you take the side trail due South at the top of the first rise you can hike to within 500 yards of the dam (this photo is from the other side of the dam) and the views from the bluff are great. The bluff area is a great place to do some exploring, is you walk 500 yards Southwest you will find the old foundations for the tramway that was used when they added height to the dam. Once you’re on the ridge, the hike becomes all about the views of Four Peaks, the lakes, and the surrounding areas. The trail eventually enters the Three Bar Wilderness area and becomes part of the Arizona Trail when it follows FR132, it's well signed and hard to get lost. The trail ends at the Mills Ridge Trailhead which is at the end of FR429. I've only hiked the entire trail once, my usual hike ends after about 3 miles one-way. Two years ago I encountered a rattlesnake on the trail so be careful when you venture off the trail.
Thanks to all for their suggestions on a winter hike. I decided, despite the cold and snow, to camp on the rim. As FR300 was closed, I camped on the rim off Young Road. Fortunately it was a calm night and wind wasn’t an issue. I had the option of sleeping in the Jeep or pitching my tent, I chose the tent. I brought along our new Coleman propane heater that has the battery operated blower on it. At first I had it in the tent with me, but that proved to be too hot, so I set the heater outside the door of the tent and it worked perfectly. By 6:00 pm I was all setup and decided to take a walk. It was crystal clear and the sky was brilliant with starlight. I started the walk with my headlamp but soon turned it off because it was bright enough without it. After a mile or so, I came across scat evidence of a large herd of Elk, but I never did see the little rascals. I got back to camp by 9:00 pm and made some hot chocolate. My campsite was within 30 feet of the rim and the view of the valley was spectacular. I was warm and toasty in the tent and slept very well. The next morning, I drove to Roosevelt Dam and hiked the Vineyard trail for 5-6 miles. I’ll be posting a trail description next week. I’m now hooked on winter camping, more later.
This is one of those hikes that is strictly for the cooler winter and fall months. Shade doesn't exist and the sun can be brutal. The first 3/4 of a mile of the trail rises approx 800 feet, it quite a slough but worth the view of the dam. If you take the side trail due South at the top of the first rise you can hike to within 500 yards of the dam (this photo is from the other side of the dam) and the views from the bluff are great. The bluff area is a great place to do some exploring, is you walk 500 yards Southwest you will find the old foundations for the tramway that was used when they added height to the dam. Once you’re on the ridge, the hike becomes all about the views of Four Peaks, the lakes, and the surrounding areas. The trail eventually enters the Three Bar Wilderness area and becomes part of the Arizona Trail when it follows FR132, it's well signed and hard to get lost. The trail ends at the Mills Ridge Trailhead which is at the end of FR429. I've only hiked the entire trail once, my usual hike ends after about 3 miles one-way. Two years ago I encountered a rattlesnake on the trail so be careful when you venture off the trail.