Jerky Butte Ruins • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 27 2018

Oregon_Hiker

Guides 9
Routes 473
Photos 8,433
Triplogs 626

79 male

Joined Dec 07 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 27 2018
		Oregon_Hiker • Triplogs 626

Hiking	2.50 Miles	992 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles	5 Hrs 15 Mns	0.48 mph
	992 ft AEG

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no linked trail guides

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partners

Grasshopper

We had this one on our list for our 6 day camping trip even though Grasshopper had hiked to this ruin back in May 2011. I was ready to drop it off our list when changing weather made us decide to leave a day earlier than planned but GH said I really had to see these ruins. We decided to stick with GH's original track from 2011 with its mile of manzanita hell even though GeeEss found an alternate route circling around to the south side of the butte. His description of the vertical ascent near the top of the south side of the butte left us uncertain as to whether or not it was within our capabilities. GH was confident that his approach up a break in the cliffs would be doable because he had done it before.

We found GH's cairn at the edge of FR486 marking where they started their hike in 2011 and started off through the brush following his original 2011 gps track as closely as possible. About 75% of the time we were able to find breaks in the brush and sometimes even trails made by elk and cattle which made it easier than I had expected. But it was time consuming to dither back and forth looking for those breaks. Finding a scattering of pottery sherds in a small clearing on the way up the final slope spurred us on. We were working our way up through the gap in the cliffs following GH's old gps track when we encountered a vertical section about 10 to 15 feet high. The first 6 ft was relatively easy helped by some tree branches. The last 6 ft or so was up a slot that would have made it easy but there was a boulder jammed in the slot that was too high to step up on and no handholds to pull ourselves over it. Falling probably wouldn't have been life threatening but would have likely resulted in a broken limb or two. GH could not remember this trail blockage from 2011 even though his old gps track definitely went through this spot. My conclusion was that the boulder had gotten jammed in that slot sometime after his 2011 trip. After some discussion we decided it was most prudent for us to turn around and head back down.

It was disappointing to turn back with out reaching the ruins but the stress relief of leaving that risky climb behind soon had us smiling again.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Buzzard Roost Mesa Dinner Canyon Jerky Butte

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Nov 27 2018

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 27 2018
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	2.50 Miles	992 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles	5 Hrs 15 Mns	0.48 mph
	992 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Oregon_Hiker

Memorable second visit (for me) and hike day #2 of a 4 night / 5 day vehicle camping trip to our NW Sierra Ancha / Salome wild areas.

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(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Nov 01 2018

GeeEss

Guides 1
Routes 23
Photos 579
Triplogs 45

male

Joined Jan 10 2014
Fountain Hills,

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 01 2018
		GeeEss • Triplogs 45

Hiking	3.60 Miles	1,020 AEG

Hiking	3.60 Miles
	1,020 ft AEG

Linked

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no linked trail guides

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no partners

Second try, as we were repelled on our first approach from the north about three years back. This is a far more do-able and enjoyable hike. It holds the same obstacles as the northern route but to a far more manageable degree. There is little alternative to having to bulrush through Manzanita once we left the road and headed west, but it wasn't constant, and promises of open fields ahead encouraged our efforts, as we finally made it to the open air of the ridgeline. Access to the top requires a short but challenging (depending on how tall you are) scramble up some pretty flat vertical rocks to the summit. On the way up, we found some of the largest potsherds we've ever seen. These are about 100' or so below the summit, and I suspect they were from very large jugs intended to catch water runoff. In addition to the ruins on top, there are also a few rooms at the base of the big granite gun turret.

In any case, I am happy to scratch this off my list, as it was the only hike I had attempted, but was unable to complete. Damned Manzanita!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Jerky Butte

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2 archives

Feb 10 2018

MountainMatt

Guides 3
Routes 202
Photos 3,513
Triplogs 530

male

Joined Jan 24 2016
Arizona

Jerky/Rock/El Paso, AZ

Hiking		Feb 10 2018
		MountainMatt • Triplogs 530

Hiking	4.38 Miles	734 AEG

Hiking	4.38 Miles
	734 ft AEG		30 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

linked

Jerky Butte Ruins

Rock Creek Cabin - Sierra Ancha

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Grasshoppers suggestion of the Jerky-Rock sounded perfect so my friend, dog and I set out for The Anchas.
First stop was JB which is such a prominent figure and I remember being glued to it the first time I drove by it and had to make it up there.
I knew there would be some bushwhacking but was nowhere near prepared for the battle that was about to begin.
Hats off to G-man and Ssk because my friend and I retreated after .64 miles of the thickest manzanita brutality I've ever experienced.
I enjoy a good Arizona bushwhack but this was straight stupid, there would be a break for maybe 3 feet and then it was back to a wall of hearty 4-6 foot manzanita.
We made a good dent and my legs took a beating wearing shorts but with no sign of give until on the buttes slopes I decided to call it, I wanted to be up there but not that bad not to mention my dog probably wasn't enjoying herself.

Relaxed in Rock Creek for awhile and made a stop at all the structures and mines with a worthy side detour in El Paso.

A great day went completely wrong on the way home.
Had a rollover on the Young Highway involving only my vehicle.
Fortunately nobody was seriously injured besides a broken hand and few gashes on my friend, my dog and I were blessed to walk away unharmed.
Trucks down for the count for awhile or possibly for good but above all feel very blessed that Miss Payton, my friend and I are all alive and breathing considering what could have happened.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Manzanita

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Automobile Remains/Wreckage HAZ - Hike HAZard

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Rock Creek

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May 14 2011

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Hiking		May 14 2011
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	2.50 Miles	1,439 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles	5 Hrs 30 Mns	0.73 mph
	1,439 ft AEG	2 Hrs 5 Mns Break

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ssk44

This dayhike in our remote Sierra Ancha Mountains north of Board Tree Saddle on the Young Hwy 288, and 5.8mls west on FR486 became a "need to do" back in October'10 when Eric posted this pic.. http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=158970 .

I didn't have to do much arm twisting to get this one on the calendar with him, but because of the very long day out (mostly driving to and from..~265mls R/T west Mesa), we needed to combine this one with something else in the same area for the late afternoon (now known as new hike description- "Rock Creek Cabin") to confirm a date on our calendars.

I had a gut feel that this totally off-trail, short but serious bushwhack hike to the top of this gun turret butte at 5932ft just might have a very sweet payoff for us on top, and it did not disappoint with its unpublished ancient Salado Indian Ruins and much more..

I probably overdid my picset posting for this one trying to tell the memorable story in more detail, but it did ROCK for me and will always hold very special memories

.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Claret Cup Cactus

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horned Lizard

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Salado Habitation Salado Mano and Metate Salado Structure - Unknown Function

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Buzzard Roost Mesa Jerky Butte

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

May 14 2011

ssk44

Guides 20
Routes 12
Photos 2,343
Triplogs 298

51 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Jerky Butte Ruins

Payson, AZ

Hiking		May 14 2011
		ssk44 • Triplogs 298

Hiking	2.50 Miles	1,440 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	1,440 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Grasshopper

Awesome butte ruin site with incredible views and a fun scramble. The summit is covered with large oak trees providing good shade if desired. This hike is worth the effort. Love it!

:GB:

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MATTHEW 11:28-30 / PSALM 84:1-2

2 archives

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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