Route Editor
Route Scout
Arizona Wilderness Coalition is partnering with Tonto National Forest - Cave Creek District, working on recording/monitoring damage to the area and the remediation of human impact sites near the Willow Springs Trail and Sheep Bridge.
Read the project descriptions carefully and RSVP with your preference. Camping is available for those who wish to join us for a weekend-long adventure! I will be setting up Friday night.
SATURDAY
Project 1: Sheep's Bridge Clean-Up
Description: We will be picking up trash and remediating wildcat trails above Sheep's Bridge, in the recreation area around the Verde River.
Difficulty: Easy
Daytime Needs: Sturdy boots or shoes, work gloves, 2+ liters of water, lunch and snacks, a hat, sunscreen.
Time and location: Meet at lot above Sheep's Bridge at 10am.
Project 2: Willow Springs Trail (269) Monitoring
Project requirements: good, study shoes, layers, 2+ liters of water, snacks and lunch, camera and GPS (both optional).
Project rating: moderate-strenuous; we will be covering a lot of ground, so you will need to be an experienced and swift hiker.
Time and Location: Meet in the Sheep's Bridge at 8am to get an early start in.
SUNDAY
We will be enjoying the day with a short hike and lunch before heading back to the city.
Directions
From Phoenix, drive north on I-17 to exit #223 and head east on the Carefree Highway. Turn left on Tom Darlington Dr. and follow it a few miles until it ends at Cave Creek Rd. where you'll turn right. Where the road splits, you'll see a sign for Bartlett Lake & Rangers Station to the right; you'll want to stay left (this is Forest Road 24). After 2 miles, you'll enter the Tonto National Forest. At the 4.5 mile point the pavement ends in a well graded dirt road. Continue winding along the road, at the 12 mile point you'll hit a short stretch of pavement as you enter the Seven Springs Recreation area. The road is more narrow and rough when it turns back to dirt on the other side of Seven Springs, but still passable by passenger car. At the thirty mile point, you'll reach a junction with FR 269 (also called Tangle Creek Rd.). Verde River is 12 miles to the right; go right. This road is quite rough and rocky, you'll need at least a high clearance vehicle to make it through. You'll go up and over a rocky hill and eventually begin dropping down to the river and bridge, which you'll reach at the 42 mile point. Park next to the bridge or up at the top of the hill (because the road leading down is difficult terrain).
I will try and arrange a carpool locale for those who want to come, but do not have the vehicle to make it in. Please email me if you are in need of a carpool or are willing to be a driver: aleah@azwild.org
