Copper Camp Loop • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Thicket Spring Trail #95

West Fork Trail #260

Upper Sheep Creek Loop

Partners

partners

chumley

Tough_Boots

Headed out in to the Mazzies with Kyle & Chumley in search of fall color. We started from the Peeley TH and headed in with a steady pace. We dropped into and out of canyons as we headed for Squaw Flat. There was some nice color in a few sections but nothing mind blowing. Squaw Flat would have been stunning before the Willow Fire. From there we headed back and opted for a loop taking us over to the Cornocopia Trail. It’s really nice going and most of these trails are in really good condition. We eventually turned back to the north and headed back to the TH. It was nice getting back into the Mazzies and fun to hike with Kyle & Chumley again.

_____________________

1 archive

Oct 21 2018

Tough_Boots

Routes 67
Photos 2,708
Triplogs 755

89 male

Joined Mar 28 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Payson, AZ

Mazatzal Divide: Peeley to Y-Bar

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 21 2018
		Tough_Boots • Triplogs 755

Hiking	11.03 Miles	2,657 AEG

Hiking	11.03 Miles	5 Hrs 51 Mns	2.09 mph
	2,657 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Cornucopia Trail #86

Thicket Spring Trail #95

West Fork Trail #260

Partners

partners

chumley

John9L

Perfect weather-- a bit of a lasso hike heading out to Squaw Flat Spring and back around.

_____________________

Oct 21 2018

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Thicketopia, AZ

Hiking		Oct 21 2018
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	12.20 Miles	2,917 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	5 Hrs 37 Mns	2.42 mph
	2,917 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Cornucopia Trail #86

Thicket Spring Trail #95

West Fork Trail #260

Upper Sheep Creek Loop

[ checklist ] Saddle Mountain 6,535, Mazatzal Squaw Flat Squaw Flat Spring

Partners

partners

John9L

Tough_Boots

Kyle came up with this one and I'd never done the loop so I thought it would be fun. We headed down from the loop to McFarland and then ventured a mile or so into @jacobemerick -land. I wanted to check out Squaw Flat. This trail has suffered flooding and deadfall, plus standard mazzy overgrowth. Fun stuff. I should come back and go further.

I found cairns at the Sheep Copper Camp junction, but no nice signs. Apparently the AZT folks are a little snobby and if it's not 6-feet wide and brush free, it's not a trail for them! Related note, nice game cam (not sure what it's trying to capture) and a brand new wilderness sign.

Ran into a guy doing a Pine to Roosevelt hike and he was happy to report that there's water everywhere. All the guthooks water sources were reliable and at least 2-3 more water sources between every one marked in the app. So now's definitely a nice time to venture into the desert!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

	Squaw Flat Spring	Dry	Dry
	Springbox was dry. No sign of source. But plenty of water flowing in the creek.

	Thicket Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Flow could be measured in cfs!

	Upper McFarland @ #88/95	Light flow	Light flow
	Plenty of clear water in the creek

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

1 archive

Mar 29 2014

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Copper Camp - Cypress Ridge Loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2014
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	21.60 Miles	6,323 AEG

Hiking	21.60 Miles	13 Hrs 50 Mns		1.79 mph
	6,323 ft AEG	1 Hour 45 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Cypress Ridge Mount Ord Saddle Mountain 6,535, Mazatzal Sheep Mountain Peak 6996

Partners

partners

	BiFrost	The_Eagle
	topohiker

Ken's annual Copper Camp Loop with a twist. Everyone enjoyed the hike heading down. Ken wanted to stay out of the creek this year and attempt to follow the trail on the right. A hearty maintence crew would need to reestablish it as the creek environment has swallowed the old trail.

Hiking up and off-trail to Cypress Ridge is always a blast. Once there the dreary task of descending and going around the ridge is at hand. I mentioned riding the ridge out as an alternative for a future year. Shockingly the idea turned to this year and no objections surfaced.

The ridge was a bit longer than anticipated. Karl & I thought it was nifty. Ken & Bruce didn't share our enthusiasm. The constant low key scrambling was not their style. Karl & I waited and admired views with greater consistency across the ridge. Unfortunately Ken never really got to see the incredible views as he was concentrating on the terrain. Karl & I recalculated our options several times along the way. While I regretted ever suggesting the ridge, it all worked out.

Back on trail we started up the monster ascent back to the trailhead. While the hike had varied reviews I enjoyed the diverse company of the group. I look forward to finding a balance of terrain we all can enjoy!

4 quarts

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Desert Mariposa

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

- joe

Mar 29 2014

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2014
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	22.16 Miles	6,323 AEG

Hiking	22.16 Miles	13 Hrs 45 Mns	1.83 mph
	6,323 ft AEG	1 Hour 40 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	BiFrost	joebartels
	The_Eagle

This year’s Copper Camp Loop went off pretty good. This time we stayed on the right side of the Copper Camp creek for as long as we could before crossing at the actual camp. I think it was easier than zig-zagging in the creek.

We made the long climb up Cypress ridge to the lunch spot. As we finished eating Joe turned on his used car salesman's charm and starting talking about an easier shortcut. The shortcut would cut at least a mile and 500 feet AEG from the hike. There might have been mention of a soda machine along the way. Joe had me at 500 less climbing.

We were told there was a false ridge, but Joe claimed it was good looking ridge after that. I agreed if there was no climbing involved. Well after the 3rd or 4th rock pile I put on the climbing gloves. The terrain turned nicer once we started to descend a bit, there were trees and dirt. The ridge line wasn't that bad. We pop-out almost exactly where the Sheep Creek trail pulls out of the creek bed. This was nice not to deal with the cat-claw fields. Karl and Joe did a great job scouting out the way up and down the Cypress ridge. We never hit any big drops. One interesting note is that we found a cairn about 2/3 of way across Cypress ridge.

The shortcut across the ridge actually added about 700 feet to the AEG

!

It was a fun hike with some new territory and good company. It was nice meeting Bruce.

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Mar 29 2014

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2014
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	22.02 Miles	6,300 AEG

Hiking	22.02 Miles	13 Hrs 54 Mns		1.78 mph
	6,300 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	17 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Saddle Mountain - AZT #22

Partners

partners

	BiFrost	joebartels
	topohiker

My first hike with topohiker Ken and why not start it off with one of his classics, the Copper Camp Loop.

07:30 Start - Mormon Grove TH

09:30 - 5 miles in to my cache spot at 87/88 intersection.
A pleasant stroll on Saddle Mountain #91 and Sheep Creek #88 (also AZT-22).
The birds were chirping, butterfly's fluttering and the Temps are perfect.
Big views from up here. Down in McFarland Canyon area, where the AZT splits off to the Thicket Spring Trail #95. There was plenty of pooling to filter from.

10:00 - 6 Miles in to begin the drop to Copper Canyon Camp (5,450' - 3,100')
This was my favorite part of the hike. (Mile 5 to Mile 9).
The views were killer. Lion Mountain looks to be an Interesting destination... Been up on top of that one Richard?

12:00 - 9.25 - 10.25 Miles Medium to thick catclaw starts
You run into another Riparian area in this section. Also the worse catclaw you'll encounter... but it's short-lived.

12:30 - 10.25 miles in, start to climb to lunch on Cypress Ridge (3,100' - 4,900')
The first 2/3's of this climb is not too bad. The last 1/3 took it out of me.

14:15 - 12 miles in, lunch
Pretty lunchtime views, and the Sales Pitch for the "Short Cut" begins.

14:40 - Start the 3 miles across Cypress Ridge to Sheep Creek #88
Nobody said No. It wasn't bad or scary... just a lot slower going than anyone planned.
Views were killer. Ken found new stains and cuts on the tops of his shoes that he had not noticed before. This was a variation of Ken's Loop that I don't think he'll be doing next year.

18:00 - 15.3 Miles in, back on a trail again (Sheep Creek #88)
I remember this from the last time back here. This trail gets a bit steep in places.

19:12 - 17 miles in, back to the Cache spot at the intersection of trails 87/88.
I'd been running low and actually Ken loaned me half a Gatorade. We all filtered water at my cache spot. I guzzled a liter. Temps were now cool at 54.

A five mile walk back to Karl's truck couldn't end quick enough.

21:23 - 22 Miles, back at the Mormon Grove TH

A short Video http://youtu.be/OOWFc2-AdVQ

Great meeting you Ken.
Thanks for Driving and the Barley Pop Karl!

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aircraft

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horseshoe Reservoir

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Camp Creek @ Loading Corral	Light flow	Light flow
	Nice cool small pools to filter from and soak your hat / shirt in.

	Squaw Flat Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Not sure of exact spring location, but there was pooling and slight running water in the creek bed

	Upper McFarland @ #88/95	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Some Filterable water available

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Apr 08 2013

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 08 2013
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	32.68 Miles	6,730 AEG

Hiking	32.68 Miles	16 Hrs	2.37 mph
	6,730 ft AEG	2 Hrs 14 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

fan3992

joebartels

This year’s (8th annual) Copper Camp loop was ~9 miles longer due to the locked gate. We saw fire damage from the Mormon Grove TH all the way to the Sheep Creek / Copper Camp intersection. Joe had it right with "BBQ Loop". The silver lining to the fire is that now you have longer views into the area. I could see new areas that I couldn't before. It also helped by reducing the route finding in McFarland canyon.

This year we found 2 bed frames and barrels next to the Copper Camp creek. We spent a little more time in the Copper Camp creek bed than other years. There was an awesome cool wind blowing as we climbed Cypress Ridge. We did a great on the off-trail. The route was slightly modified and we had no issues. The temps were very agreeable for most the day. It was a bit warm on the lower section of the Copper Camp loop.

Good hike with good company. 4 people started and 4 people finished!

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Apr 06 2013

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 06 2013
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	31.75 Miles	7,400 AEG

Hiking	31.75 Miles	16 Hrs 2 Mns		2.16 mph
	7,400 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

fan3992

topohiker

The Cheops daily double left me psyched on life and extremely exhausted. After missing Ken's annual CCL I couldn't let this year slip away. With FR25 still closed from the 2012 Sunflower Fire 9.6 miles was added to access.

#87 and the off-trail to #88 was new territory for myself. After an unexpectedly nice pine stroll on #87 the views looking down towards Lion Mountain are stellar. Like my first Four Peaks adventure (the southern terminus of the Mazatzal range) the feeling was refreshingly uplifting.

There is some bushwhacking and more serious catclaw on this loop. Typical lightweight nylon/poly hiking pants provide enough protection. Nothing required gloves.

We were blessed with perfect weather. It only felt hot during our lunch break at the low point sitting in full sun. I dipped my spare shirt in the creek and joined Dave1's Blanco Diablos for the off-trail hike up to Cypress Ridge. My ears were cold and I was chilly at times.

Based on everything I heard from Fan, she really wanted a longer hike. It was great to meet Mike and finally hike with Ken.

Upset black-tailed rattlesnake & a young gopher encountered in midday heat. One mylar balloon. Consumed almost 4 quarts, Mike downed 7-8!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Southwestern Lewisia

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunset

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Gooding's Verbena, Primrose, Southwestern Lewisia, Annual Townsend Daisy, Desert Phlox, Gilia, Wiry Lotus, Bluebonnet Lupine, Desert Globemallow, Dichelostemma capitatum, Desert Mariposa, Fairy Duster, Banana Yucca, Eaton Penstemon(?), Desert Chicory, Mexican Gold Poppy, Arizona Grape, New Mexican Thistle, Western Wallflower, something white I couldn't id, lots of unknown yellow patches

	Camp Creek @ Loading Corral	Light flow	Light flow
	very light flow, nice and clean

	East Fork Sycamore Creek & FR25	Light flow	Light flow
	creek alongside road seen and heard from road flowing better than anticipated

	Sheep Creek - Upper SE Fork	Light flow	Light flow
	clean light flow

	Upper McFarland @ #88/95	Light flow	Light flow
	favorite lunch/break spot on several hikes now, nice light flow

	West Fork Sycamore Creek @ FR25	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	just a trickle, mud would require 4x4 to cross (road currently closed)

_____________________

- joe

Mar 10 2012

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	24.56 Miles	6,025 AEG

Hiking	24.56 Miles	12 Hrs 6 Mns	2.45 mph
	6,025 ft AEG	2 Hrs 4 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

7 partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	mazatzal	uphill_junkie
	wallyfrack

This was my seventh and best hike on the Copper Camp Loop. I got to meet John J, John, Richard, Amy, Liz & Katrina and hike again with Wally.

Like usual the route finding and the cat's claw was interesting along the Copper Camp Creek. I swear I never have done this section the same way twice.
The descend into the Sheep Creek / Sheep Creek Cabin was perfect. The Sheep Creek had just a trickle of water in it compared to other years.

I was amazed how the group galloped up the Cypress Ridge and the side of Sheep Creek MNT.

Thanks to all who joined me on this hike.

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Mar 10 2012

mazatzal

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Saddle Mountain Trail to Squaw Flat

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	20.30 Miles	4,860 AEG

Hiking	20.30 Miles	11 Hrs 10 Mns	2.10 mph
	4,860 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	KaKoe	topohiker
	uphill_junkie	wallyfrack

It was a chilly 28 when we started but not too bad. I really like the variety on this one with great views along Saddle Mtn, some nice trees in McFarland and the great views along Copper.

The catclaw was pretty bad down in Copper Creek but when I came back I found it best to stay low and follow the cairns and not take the high route. I saw something black go crashing through the brush near the cottonwoods but I didn't investigate - perhaps a bear?

I struggled a bit climbing back up to Squaw Flat but made it eventually - I'm really glad I turned round at Copper Camp - definitely the right decision for me.

It was great to see Liz and Amy again and to meet Katrina, John, John, Wally, Ken and Fan.

Thanks to all - I had a really great day!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

Mar 10 2012

juliachaos

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Hiking	22.00 Miles	6,444 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	12 Hrs	1.83 mph
	6,444 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	KaKoe
	mazatzal	topohiker
	uphill_junkie	wallyfrack

Wow, it's been a while since I've done anything this intense! I thought they were kidding when they said the bushwhacking wouldn't be bushwhacking, but the on-trail would...

holy ridiculosity, Batman! What a gorgeous area, though. The views and company totally made up for each little thorn or blister (yay for duct tape!). Next time I do something like this, I'll have to get more than 40 min of sleep.. that made for some interesting visions, and some not-so-interesting conversations later on.. :zzz:

It was great to see John, Richard and Wally again, and fun meeting everyone else! You guys rock. Now to get Katrina a HAZ account..

_____________________

Mar 10 2012

uphill_junkie

Guides 2
Routes 9
Photos 1,486
Triplogs 944

female

Joined Apr 28 2010
Tucson, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		uphill_junkie • Triplogs 944

Hiking	23.43 Miles	6,444 AEG

Hiking	23.43 Miles
	6,444 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

7 partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	mazatzal	topohiker
	wallyfrack

What a day. :sweat:

I read "a couple miles of off-trail bushwhacking"......was I dreaming??? :lol:

Some of us took "the easy way down???", so our mileage was a bit more than John & Liz's. I just went by my gps and when it turned off, John's.

At the end, I was ready to drink a beer, eat a whole pizza and go to sleep all at the same time.

topohiker - :thanx:

, I think......

Great to meet all of you whom I hadn't met before! John J, just remember, you be nice or else......

_____________________

No pants!

Mar 10 2012

JuanJaimeiii

Routes 596
Photos 9,604
Triplogs 2,400

58 male

Joined Jan 30 2011
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400

Hiking	22.00 Miles	6,444 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	11 Hrs 45 Mns	1.87 mph
	6,444 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	mazatzal	topohiker
	uphill_junkie	wallyfrack

Oh man this hike packed a serious punch! It was long, it was difficult, it was steep at times, it was interesting, it was enjoyable, it was scary for a moment, it was fun, but most of all it is a hike I will remember for a long time.

What a great group of people! Ken is a different animal all together! I now have a small insight into his world and my hat is off to this man! Very impressive indeed. Wally and Richard are just as solid as the day is long and were fun to chat and hike with. Liz and Katrina are serious troopers and added a bit of lightness to the journey. JohnLP is the 2012 Hiking Machine and proved his strength and endurance once again with ease. Fan held the pace and didn't bother anyone too much. Oh and then there is Amy... You could put a 50 mile hike with 20,000 feet of gain in front of her, and as long as there is a cold beer waiting for her at the end, she will be one of the first ones to cross the finsih line!

All in all just a great group for such a long and enduring hike! Ken you da man! Thanks for sharing this one with us!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

Mar 10 2012

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	22.00 Miles	6,444 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	11 Hrs 45 Mns	1.87 mph
	6,444 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	mazatzal	topohiker
	uphill_junkie	wallyfrack

Awesome group of hikers! Good thing because this is one tough hike. About half the hike is over difficult terrain or fighting through brush and catsclaw. Very enjoyable scenery and company made up for the difficulty. The first third of the hike is very easy. Nice trails and little elevation gain, which you pay for later lol. Wally, John, and I checked out a copper mine and got buzzed by a bat going in and out.

Had a great time meeting and talking with the group along the way. Thanks Ken for setting this up. Nice meeting Richard, Fan, Katrina, Amy and Ken for the first time, and seeing everyone else again. Thanks Amy for the post hike refreshments! Hit the spot. And thanks to John for doing all the driving.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Desert Anemone

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Chrysocolla

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Mar 10 2012

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 10 2012
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	22.00 Miles	6,444 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	11 Hrs 50 Mns	1.86 mph
	6,444 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

7 partners

HAZ - Event

	fan3992	johnlp
	JuanJaimeiii	juliachaos
	mazatzal	topohiker
	uphill_junkie

Welcome to Topo's world. ;) The Copper Camp Loop is an ugly beauty. The trail is worse than the off trail at times and most the elevation gain comes in two steep long slogs. We started at the Mormon Grove TH shortly after 7am. It was chilly but the hiking got the blood flowing so not too bad. The trails are decent closer the TH but fade and become overgrown the farther out you go. There were several cairns in parts but no obvious path so you just connect the dots. I think over the course of the loop we all hiked with everybody, somebody and nobody at different points in time. JJ3 went off to look for the cabin ruins near Sheep Creek and was going to catch up. We hiked up the creek a ways then the faint trail split off. I was wondering if he'd know which way to go a was looking back to see if I could see him at the junction below but never did.

It turns out 50/50 odds aren't bad and he caught up to us when we stopped to filter water. On the second climb (which was on Sheep Creek trail) I realized what an insightful and intelligent decision Richard made not wanting to take this loop. :sweat:

The pace was slow at times and we rested a few times so the most of the group finished in the dark. After all the jabs, scrapes, blisters, bruises and duct tape it turned out to be a memorable trip. It was good to meet Richard, John J, Katrina & Fan and good to see John, Amy, Ken & Liz again. Thanks Ken for setting this trip up.

_____________________

2 archives

Apr 10 2011

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 10 2011
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	24.23 Miles	5,829 AEG

Hiking	24.23 Miles	13 Hrs 20 Mns	2.02 mph
	5,829 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

fan3992

We started hiking at 7:30. There was 1 to 2 inches of snow on the trail. The snow really slowed us down. Down in the canyon the melting snow was falling from the trees and it looked like it was snowing! The snow didn't go away until we dropped below 4,200 on the Copper camp trail. We had the usually route finding issues by the Copper Camp creek. I think next year I'll bushwhack above creek bed and avoid the cat's claw overgrowth. We found an old piece of farming equipment by the creek. The climb up Cypress Ridge was not that hard this time. This year I stayed to the far left on descending the Cypress Ridge. Not only did it put us in grassy fields, we also had an easy crossing point of the Sheep Creek. We crossed Sheep Creek right at the Canyon with the former cabin. We went to where the cabin used to be and they headed back. The rest of the hike went just like clockwork. All of the snow on the trails was melted away by now.

we saw one rattlesnake

and 8~10 deer running around.

This is still one of my favorite hikes. I'm exhausted by the end of this hike.

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Apr 03 2010

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 03 2010
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	22.24 Miles	5,875 AEG

Hiking	22.24 Miles	12 Hrs 20 Mns	1.80 mph
	5,875 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

This was our annual Copper Camp loop "aka: heli-hike". This was our fifth time out. We started hiking at 7:45am. We made very good time to the old cabin on the Copper camp trail. It was great to see all the flowers and the cactus blossoming. It looked like someone rolled out a green blanket over the mountains. I've never seen this area so green. The Plateau Overlook was very green as well. With the abundance of flowers came the overgrowth (or the explosion) of cats-claw and thorns. We came to a slow crawl when we reached the Copper Camp creek. The trail was overgrown or sometime eaten up by the overgrowth. We've done this trail enough to know where the trail, but the cats-claw changed that. We used the GPS track as a rule of thumb, but it was easier to go off-trail to avoid the thorns. This time I saw evidence of some trail maintenance and fresh boot prints. So my suspicion of being the only person who hikes in the area was false. We had a small break at the actual Copper Camp. The climb up Cypress Ridge was warm and long. This time we found a horse trail with cairns leading around the second rock pile to the ridge. This made the hike a little easier. I saw my first snake of the season on the way up the ridge. We had lunch on the ridge. We had a hundred (or so it seemed) little gnats fling in faces ever since we left the copper camp creek. The gnats didn't leave until we hit 5500 feet. As we traveled along Lion mountain, we startled or woke up two little deer about 10 feet from us. By the time we realized what happened, they were gone. The Sheep creek trail also had cats-claw over growth in the lower section. It was not as bad as the Copper Camp lower section. At the Sheep Creek / Cornucopia intersection we came across a couple camping. We only had to use our headlamps for about a half hour this time. Maybe next year we can do this hike without the headlamps :sl:

This is one of my favorite hikes. No matter how often I go out in this area, I'm impressed with the views.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sonoran Whipsnake

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Mar 14 2009

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

[ checklist ] Plateau Pt Overlook - Mazatzal Wilderness

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 14 2009
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	22.69 Miles	5,506 AEG

Hiking	22.69 Miles	13 Hrs	1.75 mph
	5,506 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

We are now 3 for 4 on doing the Cooper camp loop. The drive up was good. The forest service fixed the landslide on FR25. We started hiking at 7am. Between the three of us, we had 5 GPS units. We were prepared for this hike. The temps were a bit chilly. The Saddle Mountain trail was a bit washed out from all the rains. The Sheep creek trail and copper camp trails had a lot of fresh fallen trees and there's a lot more overgrowth this year also. We made it to the copper camp by noon and had a small break. This time we crossed the copper camp creek at the right spot. The eastern sky was black and the clouds were rolling in. We started the long climb up the cypress ridge. We climbed about 1,200 feet in 1.5 miles. It was scramble. The superstition ridgeline hike from the week before had me ready for this. About 2/3 of the way up we ran across a rattlesnake hiding in the rocks. He started to rattle at us as we went around him. We made it to the ridgeline about 2PM. Now there was thunder / lighting out in the distance and the wind picked up. This time for the cross country bush whack we agreed upon going to the far left to avoid the rolling gullies that had thick manzanitas and countless downfall. The far left was flat meadow that was mostly sparse rocks and grass. This was worked out great. We only had to cross 2 - 3 gullies and had minimal prickle / manzanitas plants. This saved us about 3/4 to an hours time. The only drawback is that we undershot our waypoint of Sheep reek seep by about 1/4 mile. This was still good because we hit the seep at 3:35 out earliest time yet. Now the clouds disappeared. I came across a small deer that was only about 10 feet from us. We took another break before the long climb up the sheep creek trail. This was the first time hat we did this section of the hike in day light. The views were pretty. We hit the intersection of sheep creek / saddle mountain by 6:45 and broke out the head lamps and flash lights. We made it to the truck by 8:00PM. This was a fun hike. Every year we get a little better at the bush whack.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Search and Rescue Stone Dwelling

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

Mar 01 2008

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 01 2008
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	22.00 Miles	5,875 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	13 Hrs 20 Mns	1.65 mph
	5,875 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I'm 2 for 3 on completing this loop. The first time we had to be helicoptered out due to two people not bring enough water and not being prepared for the challenges of this hike. See my Hike report for the details on our successful completion of this hike.

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

1 archive

Feb 11 2007

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ