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: Planning a possible loop hike to Reavis Ranch out of Campaign TH (formerly Upper Horrell) via Reavis Gap, Fireline, and Campaign trails.

Has anybody been on any of these lately and could you tell me the conditions?

If they're not good, it will probably have to be just an out & back on Reavis Gap.

Fritzski: The trails are all good. I never drove the Upper Horrel TH, scared away by road descriptions stating that FWD was necessary. Much of the road runs along the creek, so both sand and bolder hopping are an issue. You might call Peter Bigfoot @ Reavis Mountain School to check, which is near Upper Horrel TH. If the road is bad, it could be done as a three day hike from Rogers Trough, via Reavis Grave to Fireline, up Campaign, down Reavis Gap and back. Night one could be near pine Creek on Fireline, and night two south of the Reavis Gap junction near Reavis creek. There used to be a old wagon near the creek about 300 yds south of the Gap trail junction. The trails are all in reasonable shape, or were, in about 1982 when I was last there. Should be still ok. About two miles of Campaign Creek south of the west turn onto the gap trail were a bit boulder hoppy and riparian overgrown with desert willow and Az rosewood, but otherwise ok. I would suggest you go up Fireline from Campaign Creek, IMHO. The trail is named Fireline since it was cut by a caterpillar, probably choppered in during the Iron Mountain Fire back about 1968 or so. I think they just reversed the tread and let her slide. The eastern side is very steep, small gravely rock; and the guy I was with, an expert skier, fell about four times. Of course it could have been effects of the kalaka (everclear-more bounce per ounce-, spring water and lemonade mix) from the night before. BTW, it's very beary in there now, population migration from the Four Peaks fire...-R

Woops- I meant to say I would NOT suggest going east to west on fireline. I ned to preview and spell czech more.. ..Must be the kalaka...

This sip, sip, sip all day has got to stop.....-R

449A to Upper Horrel biggest concern lately is the sand. Which never really gave me any problems. I've been there three times and have found it more fun then problematic. However... it is out in the middle of nowhere so go prepared.

Once the creek was running pretty swift and I swore we wouldn't make it across but we did. It's been so dry lately the couple creek crossings couldn't be much.

Hey I always wondered what happened to the Four Peaks black bear population. Good stuff Randy.

Thanks Randy. I've got to do this thing as a day hike and after a heads up from Joe I ran the loop through my mapping software and it indeed seems a bit more than I want to tackle in a day. The in & out on Reavis Gap should do just fine. We may have as many as four of us going at this time.

Fritzski,

If you are going to dayhike the Reavis Gap Trail, you may want to push on a half-mile past Reavis Gap to Pine Creek. The trail as it swings south is scenic and pleasant, and there are large, shady campsites along Pine Creek that are really nice. They would make a good lunch stop. Pine Creek is trickling and pretty as well. Every time I've hiked through there the creek has been flowing, although I've only been there during Nov-Jan. It was flowing when I hiked through the area 3 months ago on my Upper Horrell-First Water hike.

Another great possibility, if you can do a shuttle, would be to hike the entire Reavis Gap trail to Reavis Ranch, and then out the Reavis Ranch trail. Beyond Pine Creek the Reavis Gap trail traverses along an open mountainside. The views are spectacular. In particular you can look down over the whole Reavis Valley. It gives you a unique perspective on the place that most people who visit Reavis Ranch do not get to have. It is a long day hike but for a strong hiker I think it would be doable.

Lizard

Thanks guys. At this point I think to save time we're just going to do it via Reavis Ranch Tr. (109) out of Rogers Trough. Plan C