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| 4x4 Trip | 51.40 Miles |
6,937 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 51.40 Miles | 6 Hrs 23 Mns | | 10.21 mph |
| 6,937 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Due to my abbreviated recon 4x4 trip two days ago I was eager to return to complete the unfinished business. Knowing I would be tackling even tougher terrain than last trio I recruited my neighbor Richard to ride along as my co-pilot/spotter.
Again I started out on Battle Axe Road from the east only this time we took the Walnut Canyon loop counter-clockwise and thus see it from a different perspective. In this direction the roughest and most washed-out areas are uphill so it was a little more trial-by-fire for the air locker and it proved to work great, giving me even more confidence to tackle more difficult terrain. At the SE point of the loop we crossed the dry Gila River and drove a few miles in hopes of locating an old Jeep/pack trail to the Golden Bell Mine. One the drive south we didn't see anything that gave an impression of any trail after turning around and heading back north there appeared to to a slight ridge situated along where my information indicated in may be. But without getting out and walking some distance on foot we couldn't tell and with plenty more recon to do we headed on to complete the Walnut Canyon Loop.
I was quite surprised by the number of items of interest presented themselves by traveling the opposite direction, which just meant we'll have plenty more hiking to do in the near future. We stopped at a campsite on a small mesa providing an awesome view... will have to try it soon. On the way up last last few climbs there was a tarantula where I needed to place a tire so I stopped, got out, took a photo then started a video while giving it a slight nudge to move it along. It moved a little but stopped too soon so I attempted to get it to crawl onto my hand so I could set it out of the way. While it had no problem climbing over my fingers, it didn't appear to like my driving half-gloves (necessary to prevent blisters from constant wheel kick-back... with no power steering and a small steering wheel you get plenty) and skittered away. Oh well, at least it moved out of harm's way and we could proceed.
Once out of the Walnut Canyon loop we headed on out to the Coke Ovens, which Richard had never seen before. (Actually he had never seen 90% of the areas we would cover) When we got to the hole that was mud a few days back it was almost dry so it was without even a slip of a tire that we climbed up that part. Next was the brutal couple-hundred-yard climb up the hill after passing through the tree-tunnel along the river bottoms. Bog slow was the only way to do it without rattling our teeth, yet they still felt like they were rattling. Now on the ridge heading toward the ovens we had a great view of the surrounding terrain. Down another jarring hill and a short jaunt across to the ovens and we were ready for a quick tour of the ovens and grab a lunch while we were there. We were just about to start eating when a group of 3 ATV's and two Jeeps (box-stock mid-50's CJ on street tires and a mid-60's CJ slightly better equipped) showed up... oh great... now I know why there are so my ATV accidents, all but one had a Bud Light beer in-hand and he had a Coors Light. By their manner and conversation there were all pretty well lubricated. After a short conversation we found they were all from the Coolidge area and enjoying a day off together. When asked if they may be hunters they replied, no we just like to piss off hunters. They were friendly enough and freely offered us some beer which we declined, wishing to have our full faculties available to us on the upcoming treacherous area. Thankfully they headed back south across the river from whence they came and we headed into the next portion of our adventure.
Although I knew the more westerly route heading north had some very difficult steps we figured we'd try it anyway. But when we got to the first 4' step next to a pretty good drop, with no other vehicles along in case of trouble we went back to the ovens to take the easterly route, which being longer presented practically the same amount of difficulty to traverse. At a wash just before the toughest climb of the day we came across a four-door '52 Ford Crestliner that by the looks of it could possibly have been there since that time. I'd guess it was driven out here when the road still had gravel over it instead of the erosion-washed smooth boulders that are there today.
We could have dawdled longer but with the hill of steps right but 50 feet away it was time to take it on. Not wanting to end up like the Ford we carefully scouted each section of the climb before attempting it. As uneven as the steps were it was necessary to weave back and forth to avoid the potential dangers to the vehicle. The extra care paid off... nothing but the tires made any contact with the terrain. Once at the top of the hill, having been this far from the north a few weeks back the rest was easy. (not really, it just seemed that way)
Only one more obstacle that caused me trouble previously was left to tackle. Previously the big shelf was devoid of stacked rocks to aid climbing it but this time there were a few. With a few minutes to add a few more strategically placed rocks the Samurai took it like it was a slanted driveway. With the last obstacle of consequence defeated we made one quick stop to see the petroglyphs in Cottonwood Canyon and we were on the way back home.
Another fifty photos and more video as well as ideas for about a dozen places of interest to hike to in the next few months. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
I ran into a narrow 15 foot waterfall! I wasn't so committed to finishing this canyon, I would have turned around. I was able to climb up and over this area. Climbing is not something I enjoy. So I decided this was a one-time hike. I hit another waterfall, but this one was only 6 feet and getting around it was easier. I finally made it to the old mill!
she agreed to another tooth-rattling drive for the last side-trip of the day then it would be let's go home!
And once on Battle Axe we wasted no time doing just that.
