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Blue Crossing Campground - 2 members in 3 triplogs have rated this an average 2.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
3 triplogs
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Jun 25 2018
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 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Blue Crossing CampgroundAlpine, AZ
Blue Crossing Campground
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 25 2018
nonot • Triplogs 514
Hiking35.17 Miles 7,090 AEG
Hiking35.17 Miles
7,090 ft AEG20 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   8 linked trail guides
Tutt Creek Trail #105
S Canyon #53
Lanphier Trail #52
Sawmill Trail #39
Largo Trail #51
Cow Flat Trail #55
WS Lake Trail #54
Foote Creek Trail #76
Partners none no partners
It was far too hot to be enjoyable, but I was looking to do some heat training hikes so this fit the bill. I would not recommend this time of year to visit the Blue, it was 90 degrees by 9:30 AM and stayed at least that hot until 7 PM each day.

It is quite the drought, and the Blue River itself dries up before reaching Sawmill trailhead.

Highlight was seeing a bear on day 3. Saw dozens of elk and deer, because of the dry conditions I think they are all getting driven down into the Blue River valley in search of water.

Day 1: Up S Canyon, along Cow Flat, down Lanphier
Day 2: Tutt Creek and a bit of Foote Creek
Day 3: Up Largo, to WS Lake to get tot the top of Bear Mtn, down Sawmill

The forest service appears to take trail maintenance seriously, though there are some newish fallen trees. The worst is the middle part of Sawmill trail, where it is heavily eroded before reaching telephone ridge, and the trail is also getting eaten by brush.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
A few prickly poppies

dry A Spring Dry Dry
Dry in the area

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Cashier Spring Dripping Dripping
Muddy ground here, but it was wet

dry Cleveland Spring Dry Dry

dry Cow Flat Spring Dry Dry

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Dutch Oven Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
The spring catchment was full, though it was muddy.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Foote Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
Middle Foote Creek was dry at Tutt Creek Trail intersection, but was trickles and pools the next mile upstream

dry Franz Spring Dry Dry

dry Indian Canyon Dry Dry

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Lanphier Canyon Medium flow Medium flow
The lower 2 miles of Lanphier had good flow, the upper part of the canyon was dry

dry Largo Creek Dry Dry

dry Maple Spring Dry Dry

dry Right Fork Foote Creek Dry Dry

dry S Canyon Dry Dry

dry Tutt Creek Dry Dry

dry Whoa Canyon Dry Dry
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Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
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Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
  2 archives
Sep 05 2016
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 Guides 37
 Routes 556
 Photos 10,872
 Triplogs 1,052

43 male
 Joined Jan 21 2013
 AZ
Tutt Creek Trail #105Alpine, AZ
Tutt Creek Trail #105
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2016
FOTG • Triplogs 1,052
Hiking7.63 Miles 1,577 AEG
Hiking7.63 Miles   3 Hrs   33 Mns   2.31 mph
1,577 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Foote Creek Trail #76
Blue Crossing Campground
Partners none no partners
This one was only on the radar because someone may be chasing some silly completion list thing on HAZ. My expectations were very tempered going into the hike and I warned Jackie that it could end up being a little dull. However, much to my satisfaction the hike proved to be rather pleasant with a nice ending point and destination along the perennial Foot Creek.

We got a rather early start to beat the sun and enjoyed a nice chilly start to the day. The trail was in pretty good condition overall and there were several areas of nice forest on the way to Foote Creek. There is a pretty good climb during the middle miles to clear the ridgeline that divides the Foote Creek drainage, but its not too overwhelming and goes pretty quick. The tread is a little thin and the grade is steep, as you descend into Foote Creek, but there are no real route finding issues. Judging from the minnows, Foote Creek is perennial where Tutt Creek Trail ends and the area is pretty nice in general at the area where the creek's other main fork joins the main body of Foote. Wanting to beat the sun on the way out, we only went a few hundred feet up Foote Creek Trail and then enjoyed a quick break along the creek. It did get a little warm on the way out, but there was enough shade to break up the sun and just enough water to keep the dogs happy.

This trail exceeded my expectations and piqued my interests for that area a little. I bet this trail has a lot of potential during the earlier Spring months and even later in the year than Sept. Only two trails left to cover in the Blue Range.
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  2 archives
Oct 17 2012
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 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Red Hill to Pueblo Park, AZ 
Red Hill to Pueblo Park, AZ
 
Scenic Drive avatar Oct 17 2012
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Blue Crossing Campground
Partners none no partners
After the White Mountains it was time to drop down to the Blue River and then on up into New Mexico to Pueblo Park. Day two of my excellent road trip continued. By the time I hit Reserve it was getting late in the afternoon, so I had dinner at Carmen's before heading to Albuquerque for the night at Motel 6. Hadn't been down this way in a long time and it was plenty fun. :) I camped once with my mom at Blue Crossing CG more than 20 years ago, and I remembered it being a really nice spot. It is! The road from the Blue up to Pueblo Park is mostly good, but there are places that get worked over after heavy summer rains. No worries on this trip as dry weather prevailed.

Stopped at the Blue School to take a picture of the weather station there. It is the most remote one that the NWS Tucson is responsible for maintaining. No temperature at this one, just a Fischer-Porter punch tape rain gauge. Climatological records for this area date back to 1903.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Great Blue Heron
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Autumn - Color Foliage
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
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average hiking speed 2.31 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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