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Cottonwood Basin Trail - 2 members in 3 triplogs have rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
3 triplogs
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Feb 04 2023
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 Guides 12
 Routes 192
 Photos 863
 Triplogs 356

42 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
China Wall - Cottonwood Basin, AZ 
China Wall - Cottonwood Basin, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Feb 04 2023
ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356
Run/Jog16.59 Miles 3,543 AEG
Run/Jog16.59 Miles   5 Hrs   52 Mns   2.91 mph
3,543 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bronco Butte - Carefree
Bronco Trail #245
China Wall Trail w/Bronco Creek #287
Cottonwood Trail #247
Cottonwood Basin Trail
Partners none no partners
Needed something closer to town due to an evening commitment, so I found a couple friends brave enough to check out some abandoned routes. It also provided a reason to finally check off Bronco Trail. Got to the TH amid heavy gunfire, and when we got past the head of Seven Springs Wash, we were finally clear of the bullets flying around.

Bronco trail was prettier than I expected, views aren't bad. The turn onto the old Bronco Creek trail wasn't hard to find, and the trail wasn't terribly hard to follow to the corral. There were even fresh footprints, even beyond the corral.

After we passed the fence, there was no obvious route, and staying in the wash was the easiest path. Used the line on my topo to determine where to exit, and once up to the first saddle, the trail reappeared. There were stretches where we lost the trail, but overall, getting up to the Bronco Butte ridge was a lot more straightforward than expected. The China Wall structure was pretty cool.

Decided to do a short side trip up to Bronco Butte, since it didn't seem likely we'd have another chance any time soon. The west side had no trail we could find, but going parallel to the wall was easy enough, and dropped us right onto the Desert Mountain trail system, which provided a half mile or so reprieve from bushwacking.

Cottonwood Basin trail is basically nonexistent, but there was flagging from the FS boundary most of the way down to Cottonwood Creek. The brush wasn't terrible.

Once we got to the Cottonwood Creek trail, it got easier, and on this stretch I think we saw a majority of the runners attempting the 50 mile run. Even recognized a few faces.

Fun day, although those trails might be one and done for me.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Cottonwood Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute

dry Cottonwood Spring Dry Dry
Dry where the trail drops in, better flow a few minutes walk downstream.

dry Jack Springs Dry Dry
Didn't see anything, think it's being pumped out.
_____________________
 
Apr 12 2014
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 Routes 1
 Photos 29,225
 Triplogs 1,447

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Cottonwood Basin TrailPhoenix, AZ
Cottonwood Basin Trail
Phoenix, AZ
Horseback avatar Apr 12 2014
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,447
Horseback10.00 Miles 1,350 AEG
Horseback10.00 Miles   2 Hrs      5.00 mph
1,350 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Dec 28 2010
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 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Bronco Trail #245Phoenix, AZ
Bronco Trail #245
Phoenix, AZ
Backpack avatar Dec 28 2010
nonot • Triplogs 514
Backpack31.70 Miles 6,450 AEG
Backpack31.70 Miles3 Days         
6,450 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Skull Mesa Ruins
Skull Mesa - Cottonwood Creek Loop
Cottonwood Basin Trail
China Wall Trail w/Bronco Creek #287
Skull Mesa Trail #248
Partners none no partners
Dead horse on Bronco Trail, Dead cow on Cottonwood Trail.

Very little water out there right now. Almost aborted the trip due to lack of finding a good water source until fairly late the first day. Ultimately found 3 good sources in total the entire trip.

The indian fortress is great. The east half of the Skull Mesa trail is terrible. Cottonwood #247 is kinda boring without water or flowers. China wall was interesting. Jacks spring was in good shape. This area will likely be much nicer in the spring with both these missing factors.


Ran into a man who worked the ranches in the area at the end, he gave me a bunch of info about sites less seen. Will have to return someday!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Machaeranthera
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

dry Cottonwood Spring Dry Dry
Found a flowing puddle that surfaces right where #247 drops into Cottonwood Wash. It disappears into the sand a foot later. Please note it was not found where this Cottonwood Springs is located. So I am marking this spring as dry. The only water at this location was stagnant and unfilterable.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Cottonwood Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
Light trickle, a little silty and full of leaves.

dry Head of Cottonwood Spring Dry Dry
No water seen in the creek, perhaps I did not go up far enough...

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Jack Springs Gallon per minute Gallon per minute
Decent flow, heavy signs of cattle use in area though.
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average hiking speed 2.91 mph

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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