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| | | Crabtree - East Eagle loop, AZ | | | |
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Crabtree - East Eagle loop, AZ
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| Run/Jog | 14.00 Miles |
1,919 AEG |
| | Run/Jog | 14.00 Miles | 4 Hrs 58 Mns | | 2.92 mph |
| 1,919 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | With the rainy weather forecast and the Foote Fire going on near where I originally planned on exploring, I decided to head a little ways down 191 and make my first foray down the west side of the Strayhorse Divide. Not having been in that area, I decided to try something that doesn't get terribly far from 191, and went with a loop with Crabtree Park, East Eagle, and Crabtree trails, along with a short stretch of Highline.
Started overcast and headed a mile down East Eagle, where the (unsigned) junction with Crabtree Park trail is. This trail is faint in many places, but the going is pretty easy for the most part. For a short stretch, maybe a little under a mile, it is concurrent with a Jeep road (FR587) that connects up with the trailhead. I think this road is open to vehicles, but it doesn't look like it gets much use. There are several old abandoned vehicles along that stretch as well. The road then leaves the canyon to the west, there is a "close to motorized vehicles" sign that is falling apart, and it's back to faint singletrack.
Maybe a quarter mile from Highline Trail, it enters a burn area (which may be part of Crabtree Park, I don't know), which is the only stretch that was difficult. Would've been easier to stay on the west side of the creek. There was a bit of flow in this area, the best water I'd see all day. There was a giant cairn where my GPS said highline trail should be, but there was no trail (nor sign). Headed up the divide separating E Eagle from Crabtree, and quickly stumbled on good trail. Must have just been realigned.
My map also had the Crabtree junction a little before the bottom of the drainage, and there was an old road grade there, but there was also a big post at the bottom of the drainage, which looked more junction-y. That was definitely the way to go, as there was a decent trail heading down from the post.
Most of Crabtree Creek was easy traveling, some jogging was possible, and I'd say there was a defined trail through the majority of it - although I'm not sure if this was actual built trail or cattle path. Just across from Walnut Tank (dry), an obvious path leaves the canyon. Just downstream from the tank, there was a corral, near where the map has the Cottonwood Tank Trail junction. No sign of said trail. Before long, I got to the East Eagle trail, where I found my first actual trail sign (not counting the trailhead).
East Eagle trail was better defined, and pretty easy to follow, although at a couple of spots, there are trails that appear to leave the canyon. One of them may connect with the one that left Crabtree Creek at Walnut Tank. The creek was mostly dry, with occasional stagnant pools. Lots of bugs and squirrels. East Eagle was pretty mellow, but I think I would've enjoyed it more with flowing water.
About a half mile from the trailhead, the rain started picking up, and I finally started getting wet. Picked up even more when I got into the car. Perfect timing.
Overall, this was a pleasant loop, although it lacks the level of scenery and adventure that I've generally seen on the opposite side of the divide. |
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Crabtree Creek |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | Dry in most areas, but there are a couple of spots with water, mostly in the northern part. |
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Crabtree Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | There's light flow coming from the spring, which is surrounded by cattle tracks and cowpies. |
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East Eagle Creek |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | Above Crabtree - few stagnant pools along E Eagle trail, some flow along FR587 and at Crabtree Park. | | _____________________
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