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| | Salt River Canyon NW of Chrysotile, AZ | | | |
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Salt River Canyon NW of Chrysotile, AZ
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| 4x4 Trip | 45.00 Miles |
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| | 4x4 Trip | 45.00 Miles | 1 Day | | |
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| no partners | | 01/10/2009
The Road Less Traveled...
I loaded up my evil quad this weekend to explore an area that I have never been to. After four weeks in a row of strenuous rugged backcountry hiking, I was ready for a change. The place that I went to is an area that I thought was San Carlos Indian Reservation. On the highway between Globe and Show Low, just before you start descending into Salt River Canyon you will enter the San Carlos Indian Reservation just above Seneca Lake. I assumed that everything west of Seneca Lake was reservation land when in reality you're back in the Tonto National Forest within only one mile. Unknown to me, the reservation boundary that you cross while traveling northeast along the highway runs north and south. The area northwest of Seneca Lake is some of the most ruggedly beautiful country I have ever seen. The area consisted of a network of steep side canyons that work their way down into Salt River Canyon. It can be accessed by either driving just west of Seneca Lake from the highway or from a jeep trail off of FR304 to Chrysotile. The only problem with just driving through the Seneca Lake area is that you technically need an access permit to go anywhere off of the state highway.
Chrysotile has some rather interesting history. The location was once a small asbestos mining community and is now an historic ghost town with a caretaker. The Chrysotile post office was established June 27, 1916 and discontinued July 15, 1933. The mine provided material for building the Hover Dam.
Chrysotile is located in the upper end of Ash Creek. Ash Creek is in a deep canyon that I can only describe as the mini version of Salt River Canyon. I was able to look down into the canyon from an old mine road along the upper rim. This canyon is about as tasty as they come with amazing rock outcroppings, steep shear cliffs, and a running stream in the bottom about 1,300 vertical feet from the upper rim. The average elevation at the upper rim is about 5,500 and the average canyon bottom elevation is 4,000. This riparian canyon begs to be explored and it looked like there were some manageable routes heading down into it. Take a wild guess where I will be going sometime this summer.
The majority of the photos taken were along an old jeep trail heading down along Walnut Canyon. After about thirteen switchbacks and 1,400 vertical feet, the road ends at a cliff overlooking the Salt River. This route was one of the more enjoyable and scenic roads I have ever been on and to my amazement it showed minimal evidence of use. Most vehicles tracks ended near the top. I guess they all turn around out of intimidation. The road wasn't even all that bad. Man did they miss out. The side canyons heading down to the Salt River were frighteningly steep and shear. They initially seem great for hiking down until you notice the fifty-foot cliff with water cascading into a deep pool. I might be crazy but I do have my limitations. Truly amazing area with immeasurable places to explore, hike, and photograph. It was definitely a good day. I can't wait to go back. |
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| MATTHEW 11:28-30 / PSALM 84:1-2 |
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