| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 4.50 Miles |
579 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.50 Miles | | | |
| 579 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | We did this hike from FR38, down FR 1076 to the ruins and returned the same way. We found some changes in the roads since the hike description and even the last trip report were filed. We left Mesa about 7 am and were at the trailhead (for us, the intersection of 38 and 1076) about 9:30 after a stop in Miami/Claypool. It was a beautiful, cloud-free day with temps in the low 60s.
We drove right by FR38 while tooling up FR 203, but suddenly realized that we had probably passed it by and backtracked about 1/2 mile. Lo and behold, 38 is now signed where it intersects with FR203. But the first 1/4 mile of 38 remains the most difficult - especially if you are driving something other than a high-clearance vehicle, you will have to be VERY careful. 4W is not necessary. After that, 38 is a piece of cake - unless it is wet (which is wasn't for our trip).
Even FR 1076 is now signed, so finding it is no problem. In addition someone has been at work with a bulldozer cleaning up 1076 - presumably so that ranchers can get transportation in to get their cattle. You could easily drive nearly to Coon Creek! But we wanted to put some mileage on our legs so we hiked this road.
The short trail down Coon Creek from where the FR 1076 turns up creek, is very quaint and nice. Wish the whole trail was like this. The trail up the canyon wall to the ruins seems well used and steep. We were expecting some catclaw, but didn't encounter any overgrowth. Our clothing remained free of new snags and rips.
The ruins are quite nice, in spite of some people defacing them (primarily carving names, etc., into the ceiling beams - shame on you Ashton of "Ashton Jan 2012" - and a recent fire pit in one of the rooms). I hope the newly improved roads will not lead to an increase in vandalism. For what good it would do, I would like to see a warning/informational sign on the steep trail up to the ruins, but does anyone know how to request this from the forest service? Or can a sign be erected by others? I'd like to volunteer or contribute. But then, it would most likely be used for target practice. |
| _____________________
| To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace. -- Publius Cornelius Tacitus (56 AD – 117 AD) |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
