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| Canyoneering | 10.51 Miles |
1,223 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 10.51 Miles | 4 Hrs 58 Mns | | 2.12 mph |
| 1,223 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Early morning hike in the Goldfields. Wanted to continue to expand my knowledge of the Goldfields and the Rough and Ready seemed a good way to dive into the interior. Got to the Javelina “trailhead” just before 7am. The “trailhead” is actually a dirt lot just before mile marker 203. This dirt lot is on the east side of highway 88 and there is no signage about the Javelina or any other trails. That being said this is a great place to access the Goldfields.
The Javelina starts on the west side of highway 88, directly across from this parking area. Took that in for about .6 miles to where there is a “Y”. The Rough and Ready Trail takes off to the left. At about 1 mile you reach a nexus, a consortium of trails. There seems like a lot, but really only 3 unique trails diverge from this nexus. There are a couple of use trails (I think of them as threads) that quickly tie into one of these three trails. The Rough and Ready Wash/Canyon is pretty much due west from this nexus. There is a Rough and Ready Trail that bounces between banks, but since I was hiking the canyon today, I stayed in the wash once I entered it. Never realized how many times the R&R Trail bounced side to side. There was a few puddles from the weeks previous rain, but nothing that caused a problem.
At around 2.5 I reached what I call the “vortex”. This is just past the Anniversary Arch Loop and I believe where the Quartz Crystal Arroyo joins the wash. The views had been very nice up to this point, but they really become fantastic as you continue past this point. It’s around here, you start to transition from wash to canyon. Just before 4 miles the Packsaddle Trail comes in from the south. The “joining” was less dramatic than I had anticipated. In my mind, I thought Packsaddle Trail/Cottonwood Wash was bigger. But it was smaller than I thought and kind of snuck on me. The rock cliffs really become incredible around this time and continue to do so for the next mile. I tried to take pictures, but they don’t do it justice. At 4.85, I came upon the tunnel that was mentioned in the description. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but it is obvious when you see it.
At 5.25 the canyon connected to the Willow Springs Canyon Upper. These two canyons are total opposites. The R&R is very rocky with towering walls. While the Willow Springs is a broad sandy (surprisingly firm sand) that opens to the sky. Icpve never been on the Willow Springs before, so I decided to take this back. Easy walking. This is one of those trails/washes where you can walk and gawk. There is not nearly as much to see as there was in the Rough and Ready, but still nice views. At 6.5 I came upon a trail that took off to the south. Pretty sure this was the Rough N Ready - Willow Springs Crossover. It tied back into the R&R as I had hoped. From here I took the trail back to the car.
Great hike. Wasn’t quite what I expected from the description. The wash was definitely rocky, but not too bad. Didn’t feel like I had to do any bouldering or that there were any kind of down climbs within the wash. There were a few rocky “ramps”, but nothing challenging. Views really were fantastic. Pretty much from the vortex on. Amazed at the tire tracks that were evident well into the canyon. Can’t imagine what kind of vehicle can handle those kind of conditions. Weather was great. 50’s at the start and 60’s at the finish. No wildlife, except for 2 squirrels. Only encountered 2 hikers while doing the Crossover. |
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