HikeArizona.COM

18 miles
If you are into long, off trail adventures and don't mind dancing with a cholla or two...let's go.
I can hike it a Sunday or a Monday, exact date is flexible if you cant do feb 9th or 10th. Who's in?

While I question the wisdom of doing this as a day hike with the short daylight hours, I'm tempted to say "I'm in!". Any chance you can move it up to Sat Feb 8 ? PM with details/suggestions...

PLC85501 wrote:While I question the wisdom of doing this as a day hike with the short daylight hours, I'm tempted to say "I'm in!".

He's never one to let wisdom stand in the way of a good hike.

I think Bob did it as a day hike didn't he? And a few others have. While I don't have the speed they do I have the stamina.

It has been suggested to leave late afternoon sat, Feb 8th and do a mini backpack. (I work until 3pm Saturdays) On sunday we'd end up hiking the full 9 miles back plus whatever we don't finish on the way in the night before...

Tickle your fancy? Cuz we are leaning toward this...I'm pretty sure I have a +1 already (Friendofthundergod) but the more the merrier!!

Hippy wrote:I think Bob did it as a day hike didn't he? And a few others have. While I don't have the speed they do I have the stamina

Joe and I are the only ones that I'm aware of that did it the 18 mile way. It was a long 14 1/2 hour day from dark to dark. A 4wd that can climb a 3 or 4 ft step can shave off about 3 miles each way. I drove it when we did Sheep mountain out there. Good luck that area is wicked cool.

@Hippy
I could do it this Monday, just not this weekend

@Widowmaker I caught the nasty flu in Nevada (damn snow!) So have to postpone till end of Feb...I can. Try to clear up a weekend or just day hike it. I'm good for either.

@Hippy
I support another weekend as well, would prefer to do in two days..and enjoy not a marathon...end of FEB ish??

@BobP
OK so taking into consideration that Blanco is a super dog...would he be able to complete skull cave hike? Older one will be a no-go for sure...was just curious about Blanco..he knows to avoid cholla and other bad plants, but is there climbing involved, intense scrambling??

friendofThundergod wrote:but is there climbing involved, intense scrambling??

Yes...yes there is...

http://hikearizona.com/photo=115298

@BobP
yikes..ok no Blanco on this one...so who is watching my dogs last weekend of Feb? lol

@BobP
I will have to look at route, but I want to make it an over-night trip, w/out night hiking...will talk to group more..but will be looking for place to camp near there or there with water...plenty of options I assume?

It sound like few people want to make this a two day hike. I plan on doing it in one day. So my question is will my corolla make it to the trailhead?

@Widowmaker
NO!!!!!

see Joe's triplog...I think they dropped a tranny or transfer case last time on a Suzuki Samuri...

@Widowmaker
Yes it will if no rain...i've seen cars in there.
@friendofThundergod
that triplog you refer to was the shorter route from a different TH which def needs 4wd able to climb a 3 or 4 ft step.

@BobP
oh thanks...

@BobP
so I have to do more researching and stalking triplogs, but devils hip pocket and the ridge line seem to be the way to go..

However, isn't there a way to utilize some of those trails coming down 4 peaks and then shooting across to skull cave? I forget names now, map is at home, but my green trails map of supes shows that portion of Four Peaks..and there are two trails marked, number 82 I think...couldn't one make the trip a lot less off trail by utilizing these established trails?

or is that simply not possible due to terrain? maybe not nearly as easy as I made it sound?

If you started at cane spring...the 4wd option which cuts out 6 mile rt...you'd utilize trail 82 for about a mile. either option is mostly off-trail. one just a lot shorter than the other. That road is ok in spots but nasty in others. If you start at cottonwood camp you are hiking that same road towards cane spring and getting off trail at about 2.5 miles.

couldn't one make the trip a lot less off trail
But then you would be ridiculed and told you should just go by kayak

@BobP
thanks...I will quit bugging you until I near date we step off...but my theory is from reading the accounts..a rancher rediscovered site in early 1900s right?...so my belief is there must be an easier route..ranchers generally stay on or close to their mounts I assume..so he rode something probably very close to cave, dismounted scrambled down..

A horse or mule had to do the majority of the route...therefore, I think there could be an easier way...but that is all speculation..

Hippy already said no to kayak she says that is cheating...

although I am a firm believer, "if you are not cheating then you are not trying hard enough"

Here is some additional info http://www.apcrp.org/SKELETON_CAVE/Skel ... ssacre.htm