| |
| Artisan Well- Martinez - Coke Oven -Loop, AZ | | -
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
2 |
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
| | Artisan Well- Martinez - Coke Oven -Loop, AZ | | | |
|
|
Artisan Well- Martinez - Coke Oven -Loop, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 29.31 Miles |
5,283 AEG |
| | Hiking | 29.31 Miles | 11 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.98 mph |
| 5,283 ft AEG | 2 Hrs Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I've wanted to hike the entire Martinez canyon ever since I've seen it from the new AZT # 16 section. We'll this time I worked it into a hike.
I parked at the artisan well. The road in was a bit rougher from the last time.
I headed on the old AZT. At one point I almost slipped on rock and noticed there was ice on it. I looked around and found some icicles hanging and dripping. The drippings formed ice stalagmites! I saw a couple more ice spots. I was only at 3,500 feet.
I made it to the new AZT16 TH and saw CannondaleKid's water cache. I went on the AZT down to the old corral and then headed into Martinez canyon. There was an old cement spring box at the bottom.
The trip down the canyon was pretty mild. It was what I expected from what I could see from other hikes. The canyon was pretty wide with not much vegetation. I had to go down a couple of 3~4 foot dry water falls.
About 3/4 a mile down, I found two wooden boxes in the grass. I couldn't figure out what here were for. About a mile in, my GPS showed I was on a road and going past Martinez's well. I didn't see any well or any evidence of a road. In fact the canyon started to close up and become rockier.
I was about 200 feet from where explored the canyon from the other side when I hit a showstopper! ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")  I ran into a narrow 15 foot waterfall! I wasn't so committed to finishing this canyon, I would have turned around. I was able to climb up and over this area. Climbing is not something I enjoy. So I decided this was a one-time hike. I hit another waterfall, but this one was only 6 feet and getting around it was easier. I finally made it to the old mill!
A section of track that went over the canyon has fallen down. (see my pics).
On the way out of the canyon I saw the new locked gate. Martinez canyons is now closed to motor vehicles, but open to horse and foot travel. I did see a motor cycle track print in the canyon!
I went to the corral on the way out and had lunch. I headed over to the Cochran Coke ovens. I then proceeded down Battle Axe Road. I checked out the Gila River, it's flowing pretty wide and fast.
I returned to the Jeep via Battle Axe road. I was very surprised on the360 degrees views from Battle Axe road. The views are spectacular. I was also checking on the road conditions for a possible family outing to the Cochran Coke Ovens.
The temps would have been perfect if it wasn't for the gusting cold winds. Surprisingly I didn't see one person the entire day. Not even any vehicles or hunters. |
| _____________________
"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
