Bassett Peak, AZ :: West Access / Conditions

[louie]

Wondering about trail access/conditions approaching this peak from the west side via the MuleShoe Ranch access. My topomaps don't show a trail, but the hike AZ map does so a bit confused if there is trail access from the west side. Any feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[big_load]

@louie It's not one of the Galiuros Wilderness official system trails, but a route does go in that general direction from the peak. I haven't tried to follow it, so I can't say how well-defined it is over the whole length or whether it ends at that access, but it must be feasible. Some of those Galiuros routes get very little use and they can be quite brushy.

[RedRoxx44]

You need a 4X4 to get to Jackson cabin via the road past Muleshoe; mainly to get out of there. From Jackson spring there is a route up to Bassett Peak, when I did it had a few trail ribbon markers and in some spots needed to pay attention to cut limbs on small brush and trees to find the way.

[Sredfield]

If you do it, please post the track. I've heard of it from authoritative sources so there is a trail/route.

[louie]

I didn't make it more than a mile up this trail from Jackson Cabin as once it started to get steep and exposed my kids said they were done. However, the bit that I hiked was well marked as the beginning of this trail you're following the pipes that lead from the spring to the water trough. I did make a track of my drive on the road from the Muleshoe Ranch visitor center to the cabin but not really sure where to post it or if it's even worth it as there is only one road to follow to the cabin so you can't get lost. I did include way-points for some sweet car camps along the road. I wanted to hike the trail along hot springs and bass canyon as that's where all the water is, but as soon as I pulled into the visitor center I was accosted by a worker informing me that dogs aren't allowed on land owned by the Nature Conservancy. I explained that she is a service dog that helps my mentally disabled daughter as we hike along the trails, but apparently since the Nature Conservancy is private land they don't have to abide by the American with Disabilities Act. I'd love to know if there is any truth in that statement. The few times I've had issues with business' and national parks attempting to block access I've been able to resolve the issue with the literature I always keep in my wallet verifying her training and cards that I carry around that explain the the legalities of the ADA. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it's obvious my daughter is disabled and this person recognized that instantly, but simply didn't care. I didn't push the issue and don't have ready access to a lawyer that could verify if what they are doing is legal, but it definitely left a negative feeling towards the Nature Conservancy and what they stand for. Any entity that blocks access for those with disabilities is no friend of mine.

[RedRoxx44]

If you are motivated and have the time, check into the rules at "corporate" then see if they take certain government funding. That might be rather interesting if they can be ignore that rule or it's just for someone's convenience.

[louie]

I forwarded my experience to the MuleShoe ranch manager and he said the employee should never have denied access to our service dog. He said he would discuss this issue with the person that we had the issue with and apologized. I'm sure I could have just said sorry, but your misinformed to the worker that day and I'll be taking my service dog down the trail, but she was so adamant about it I didn't need the stress of this conflict agitating my daughter. I got it in writing now from the manager of the preserve so no issues in the future. It was just so bizarre and completely ignorant when this person said they don't have to abide by the ADA. Moronic!