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| Backpack | 10.00 Miles |
2,500 AEG |
| | Backpack | 10.00 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 2,500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The Forest Service is having work done on the "Big Dip' north of Walnut Spring on the AZT. The trail goes through a deep bowl, dropping and climbing nearly 1000 feet in 1.8 miles. ATA frequently gets complaints about this section. So the Tonto is having American Conservation Experience, a very competent youth crew organization from Flagstaff, complete maintenance and repairs. Monday I hiked up the Campaign Trail in toasty temperatures to meet two of their advance crew Tuesday morning.
It's not very far but it's very steep. The first section past Reavis Mountain School and up along Campaign Creek (light flow) was not bad, except for the cattle. It felt like hiking through a feedlot. They have taken over, what they haven't eaten they've crapped on. The trail is marked with cairn's cemented together so staying on route was not difficult, until the cows ahead of me came to a 24-inch cottonwood tree down across the trail. They milled around a while, then found a path, got off the trail, and I continued. Twenty-four inches was more than my pruning saw could handle.
It's been at least 5 years since I was over this trail, and time has not been kind. Between the creek and Reavis Gap the trail is severely eroded in many spots, a few with exposure. We had planned for the mules to go up this route but decided to go up Tule instead. Eventually, but really not that long, I topped out at the gap and continued along the AZT to Walnut Spring, naively expecting to find water. Alas, just a wet spot under the logs. This was not good.
I set up camp on the flat area just north of the spring, growing more concerned about water. I texted the ACE crew and asked that they bring a couple extra quarts, enough to get me down the mountain. Amazingly, there is cell coverage. (Verizon-that beacon of customer service--was all over the mountain.)
With still plenty of daylight, I took my little shovel back to the spring and dug it out a bit; maybe a 3-gallon bucket's worth of dirt from under the rock ledge. The mud became wetter but I didn't find any water. Quickly discouraged, I went back to camp and went to bed early.
Tuesday morning I was to meet Katherine and Jack at the south lip of the Big Dip. After packing up I left camp and went to look at the spring, just in case. Lo and behold! Water! The hole filled overnight and I pumped 3 liters! A miracle not quite on par with the Grotto of Massabielle, but impressive nonetheless. The youth crew will dig it out further in hopes that it becomes a reliable water source for the project and trail users overall.
While I was feeling the trip more than I care to admit, I calculated what the ACE crew hiked--14 miles and 4000 feet--by 1:00 PM. Oh, there was a day . . . but those days are gone. I'll just be thankful I can get out and do any of this kind of stuff.
Another couple of great days on the AZT! |
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Shawn
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
