Tiptop Trail #234 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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May 21 2022

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Tip Top / Lane Mountain loop, AZ

Run/Jog		May 21 2022
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	14.62 Miles	3,180 AEG

Run/Jog	14.62 Miles	5 Hrs 9 Mns	2.93 mph
	3,180 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

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Lane Mountain Trail #233

Tiptop Trail #234

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Weather seemed right for another visit to the Bradshaws, and I decided on checking out Tip Top Trail. According to the maps, it ends at the USFS boundary, but satellite pictures show it clearly going all the way to Milk Ranch. I figured worst case I could bushwhack. So I parked at the road junction where Lane Mountain Trail would come out, and ran down to the Tip Top trail. I decided to go clockwise to get the uncertain part out of the way first.

I was expecting the worst from the trail, but it was actually pretty easy to follow all the way to the USFS boundary. Certainly overgrown in places, and the catclaw started appearing half way down, but I've seen it ten times as bad. When it dropped down to Boulder Creek, I ran into an Arizona Black Rattlesnake, who was a little snippy, I must have woken it up. Not long after, when the trail crosses over to the east side of Boulder Creek, I met a black bear, who ran up the trail a little ways and perched on a rock to spy on me. Was not expecting to see a bear on this outing.

At the USFS boundary, I couldn't find the continuation of the trail. Turns out you have to follow the fence east a hundred feet or so and it proceeds south from there. I started doing that, but second guessed myself, and ended up crossing the ridge and going cross country down to Boulder Creek. This adventure probably accounted for the vast majority of my wounds on this trip. After going down the wash a little ways, I picked up the trail again.

Poked around Milk Ranch for a few minutes, and then continued up the old jeep road towards Lane Mountain Trail. This was the part I was worried about getting hot, but it really wasn't too bad.

Lane Mountain Trail itself was mostly clear and easy-to-follow, as expected. The views were fantastic. This was a nice little loop, and now that I know what my mistake at the USFS boundary was, it'll be easier next time.

	Lane Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	No discernable flow, but the area above the spring box is muddy, and the catchment carved into the cliff is full, probably seeping there.

	Lion Spring	Dry	Dry
	The ground is wet, but you'd have to dig a hole to get any water.

	Sullivan Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	There's a sad little pool, you could filter water if you really needed it.

_____________________

Feb 05 2011

The_Eagle

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

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Tiptop Trail #234

Prescott, AZ

Tiptop Trail #234

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2011
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	9.50 Miles	2,500 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles	7 Hrs	1.36 mph
	2,500 ft AEG

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joebartels

For some time, I have been planning a loop in the little traveled trails in the Southern Bradshaw's. I'd scoped out a loop I'd like to try, that used:
- Tip Top #234 Trail North to South.
- Short walk on a forest road
- Jim Creek Trail #235 South to North
- Short walk on Forest Road
- Coal Camp Springs #203 South to North to the Horsethief Lookout Tower.
- a side trip to East Fort #31
- Then back to the Lookout Tower and take the Kentuck #217 Trail to the North.
- Complete the loop by walking FR52 back to the car by the Horsethief Basin

It looked like 15 - 17 miles 3000-4000 AEG. I'd found some minimal GPS Tracks for the tracks, pasted them together, and then traced out a route using the wonderful route manager and Google Earth provided on HAZ. I got a little worried last night, remembering the Blood bath Joe and I went through on the Twin Peaks trail not too far away, so took my GPS off my pack and created/downloaded a bailout, in case it was taking longer than normal.

Joe agreed to endure another trip to the area. Close to the TH, I decided to stop and turn on the SPOT and the GPS to acquire satellites. That's when I noticed the empty GPS Holder. I went through all that trouble and left the GPS hooked up to the computer at home. ](*,)

.

We headed down the Tip Top trail, with little problem. The trail was pretty easy to follow and there were only a few spots where it closed in on us. We were armed with a TOPO! map with the track on it. To make a long story less long.... after a few hours of searching, we were never able to find the Jim Creek Trail that was to take us back north, so we returned the way we came. I'll be back.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Windmill

_____________________

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

Feb 05 2011

joebartels

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

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Tiptop Trail #234

Prescott, AZ

Tiptop Trail #234

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2011
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	9.50 Miles	2,500 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles	7 Hrs	1.36 mph
	2,500 ft AEG

no routes

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no linked trail guides

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The_Eagle

Bruce and I didn't have the best of luck. He forgot his gps. Mine doesn't have maps installed and I didn't bring a loaded route. The printed maps lacked coordinate ticks on the side. Long story short we couldn't find Jim Creek Trail #235. The sad part. Bruce explored Jim Creek while I explored Joe's Gulch... turns out the trail was on the ridge between the two :sweat:

Then the kicker, somehow I deleted the track at the beginning of our second hike. All aside it was an incredible day weather wise, just beautiful. I'm glad I got to see more of this area. Thanks Bruce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9KKZommZQ8

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Windmill

_____________________

- joe

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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