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| Hiking | 40.00 Miles |
7,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 40.00 Miles | 48 Hrs | | 1.43 mph |
| 7,000 ft AEG | 20 Hrs Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The mission was to check a few springs and riparian zones in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness.
The first stop was the headwaters of Ash Creek, one of many dozens of Ash Creeks throughout the state. Evidently, the pioneers and cartographers took a fancy to the name. Most of the creek is dry, but the top mile has flowing water and a dense forest.
I headed off to the west just before hitting Crysotile, as it is private property, and no doubt has attack dogs ready and waiting. As much as I like country living and folk, I do hate their attack dogs, and every ranch has a pack of them roving a good distance from the perimeter. These I was to stumble upon on late the second night, over at the Harvey Place, blocking the road out of perdition.
The rest of the day I checked side streams and springs along Ash Creek. There is an active cattle ranch in the area, so a few crude trails have been cut here and there. This greatly eases travel through the bush. Most of the creeks had bear paths through them, yet I saw only one bear the entire trip. Ranch country is usually devoid of mountain lions and bears (they are hunted out), and the few bears that remain are some of the most skittish, secretive creatures you will ever find, unlike the brazen bears of the Maz country. However, the absence of predators has led to a thriving population of mule deer in the region, a boon for sportsmen and nature enthusiasts alike.
There is a 200' drop/waterfall on Ash Creek, the passage of which exacted much toil and misery. By that time, my cool new tactical backpack had rubbed my back raw in several places. This often happens when bushwhacking; the constant contortions and movement of the pack, coupled with bits of tree branches lodged between said pack and person, wreaks havoc on the skin. The old pack fares a bit better, it tearing up just the lower back area.
The next stop was the Picacho Colorado, a 4721' peak just east of the Salt River. Crossing over it was a shortcut to the Salt River, though its steep northern face gave me a few lumps. A 4X road goes halfway to the summit along the easy, south face; and most peak baggers take this route. A guy from Oregon hiked up the Picacho Colorado from the Salt River; to him I give props.
By the time I reached the Salt River I was dead dog tired and did not even bother to fish, just pitching my tent and crashing for the night. The water at the river was noticeably salty due to evaporation and decreased flow. Salt water does little to quench the thirst, but it would have to suffice until I could find a better source. Several dry holes later, I found sweet water at Cottonwood Spring, to which I gorged myself, stomach bloated like a ripe watermelon. Oh how the Heat makes one appreciate the little things.
From this point forward, it was all about getting the heck out of Dodge in one piece. The 6400' Timber Camp Mountain loomed off to the east, a four mile escarpment blocking my route back to the truck; it was either over the top or a boring road walk detour. Being already 'used up', I wussed out and took the detour. In hindsight, it would have been better to have taken the mountain head on, as the detour saved neither time nor energy, becoming another forced march in the darkness. Let the good times roll. |
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Ash Creek |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | There are a few places where water flows, though most of it is dry. |
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Cedar Spring |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | This spring is dry during the summer months. A better one can be found about 1/2 mile to the east. |
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Cottonwood Spring |
Gallon per minute |
Gallon per minute |
| | | There are a couple of stock tanks here and water flows from a pipe driven in the side of the wash. |
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Slick Rock Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | The water is a bit farther up river than shown on map. | | _____________________
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