Alder Creek Trail #82 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Four Peaks Trail #130

Four Peaks - AZT #20

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

The original plan was to summit Brown’s Peak and then decide whether to descend to the Alder Saddle or add on, an out and back of the southern Amethyst Trail. Once at the peak, it was still so nice that I decided to tag Peak (2) 7642 instead. The ridgeline descent to Alder Saddle looked uber bushwhacky and the trail to the Amethyst Mine is really just a one and done. BTW, the mine supervisor is such an absolute nutrition waist channels (story for another time). Next thing I know, I’m downclimbing cl.5 terrain, grateful of my new La Sportiva sticky rubber. If one stays true to the ridge, it’s deceivingly spicy getting over the col between Peak 1 and 2. Once at 7642, a route down the east side of the saddle looked feasible, so I kept descending south thinking I'd still eventually link up to the Four Peaks Trail below. At someone’s old rap sling, I went left down a brushy ledge along the cliff and then out onto a huge slab. I’d done this route before, so knew it eventually reached the central saddle. Near the bottom, I cut further left than before and missed the regular cl.5 slit. My alternative was still somewhat exposed though. Travel wasn't too brushy at first because of all the huge boulders that have slid down from the broken saddle above. Some of the small canyon I tracked is quite enchanting, but it was super bushwhacky above the main confluence where a bunch of seeps were surfacing. The Alder Creek Trail doesn't exist or I never found this northern section. Any sane person wouldn't categorize it as a trail anymore. Thrashing over and up to the Four Peaks Trail was the crux of the day. Dusty, hot and overgrown. Once on the AZT #20 section, travel was much easier, except I wasn't anticipating all the uphill sections. There was one small pool at Shake Spring that was such a relief. Wetting down my head and neck got me up that last hill to the Amethyst Trail junction, where it's relatively easy to the car park. It was 90° at the trailhead when I finished at noon. I've driven FR 143 in worse shape than it is now, still super rocky in certain sections, but still an hour drive in the 4runner either direction.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Alder Creek - Four Peaks

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

Shake Spring

Dripping

16 archives

Nov 30 2023

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Hells Hip Pocket Ridge from Cottonwood Camp, AZ

Hiking		Nov 30 2023
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	19.02 Miles	4,491 AEG

Hiking	19.02 Miles	9 Hrs 25 Mns	2.27 mph
	4,491 ft AEG	1 Hour 3 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Minimal worthy hiking in recent months so I was excited to get out and put my Darn Tough tactical socks to use. Out of the three options I suggested, Bruce decided this involved the least BS.

Lower Soldier Camp Trail #84
The 2021 knee-high grass is gone [ photo ] . I like the option and views. OnAllGaiX masses tip: Trail blows, stay away.

FR401A
Majority of this hike, not for road haters. Buncha Four Peaks on the horizon views. Saguaros galore. The majority are standing proud, some singed, a few arched skeletons, occasional torched areas. Views of the lakes, Salt River, and outstanding terrain.

Alder Creek Trail #82
The tread is horrible, some catclaw. Stay away, and explore a manicured trail or Fossil Creek.

Ridge of Hell
Excellent cow path now from the creek up gets you started.

Further up, Bruce pitched one idea to increase the hike to 12+ hours. I'm not used to being the voice of reason but am grateful he listened. We shortened the 2021 lunch/turnaround overlooking the painted cliffs instead of the SRP community [ photo ] .

FR401A
We shortened the upper hike to hike the road down to Cottonwood Creek. It's the continuation of 401 on topo but has been renamed 401A from Cottonwood Creek to Cane Spring TH since our 2021 visit. Only the bottom couple of miles seem 4WD now with long steep stretches of cantaloupe to bowling ball-sized rocks. The upper issues [ photo ] are remarkably gone.

Synopsis
The payoff of this hike, the history, and the nearby options rate high for me. Few will enjoy it. Albeit drab light, we had gust-free pleasant weather that was nice for a change.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cane Spring

	Cane Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	The water is running clear and pooled clear. Stench from cows playing in the mud is certainly an eye opener.

_____________________

- joe

Nov 30 2023

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Hells Hip Pocket Ridge from Cottonwood Camp, AZ

Hiking		Nov 30 2023
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	19.13 Miles	4,527 AEG

Hiking	19.13 Miles	9 Hrs 25 Mns		2.29 mph
	4,527 ft AEG	1 Hour 4 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Joe threw out three options for a hike today, all of which we'd done previously. The first, 20 miles, 5000' AEG, some road walking, some off-trail. The second, 20 miles, 5000' AEG, catclaw for miles, high winds, chance of rain. The last one, 16 miles, 4000' AEG, high winds, chance of rain, a brush push with no trail ten years ago.

We went with the no-brainer, #1.

Headlamp for the first 20 minutes, calm winds, temperatures in the mid-40s.

Ascend Lower Soldier Camp Trail, gaining 1400' in 2.5 miles to FR201A, with the majority of the elevation gained in the last mile.

We roller-coastered on FR201A to the Wilderness boundary. This road is in much better shape than the last time we were through here. They've done some work on it, probably by the rancher who built a corral and is putting in new fences around the Cane Spring area.

The catclaw on the Adler Creek Trail has been mostly mitigated by bovine activity in the area. They even helped on the first off-trail climb.

We made our way over to Hell's Hip Pocket Ridge and found a picturesque lunch spot with views of the Painted Cliffs and Apache Lake.

On the return trip, instead of hiking down Lower Soldier Camp, we continued on FR201. The goal was to see if it was Subaru-able. No go; in fact, it's going to take high clearance 4x4 to get up the first part of the road.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hells Hip Pocket

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Dec 11 2021

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Hells Hip Pocket Ridge from Cottonwood Camp, AZ

Hiking		Dec 11 2021
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	20.52 Miles	4,797 AEG

Hiking	20.52 Miles	10 Hrs 39 Mns		2.13 mph
	4,797 ft AEG	1 Hour 1 Min Break	15 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Cane Spring Circle Bar Ranch - 4 Peaks Wild.

Partners

partners

joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

This hike is a ball buster. It's not the 20 miles or the 4800 feet of gain it's the never ending rocks, hidden rocks and hidden cacti. The payoff is well worth all the BS. Wow.

We started just before the sun was coming up and finished as it was going down. A good use of all available light.

The last time I was on lower Soldier #84, there was no real path to begin. It follows the drainage and was chocked with trees and brush. Since the fire and subsequent rains, it is now the smoothest and easiest part of the entire hike. Unfortunately, it only lasts for a mile, before the climb out of the drainage begins.

The climb up Lower Soldier is a steep one. For the remainder of this hike, a GPS track is highly encouraged. There are cairns along the way, but the grass covers them up in many places. We hit the climb during the golden hour, so the views were extra special. The rain from the previous days had cleared the skies all around us.

We hit FR401 for the road walk portion. This road seems to be much worse that the last time I was on it, and it was not good then. When it's tough to walk on, it's tough to drive on.

The area at the Cane Spring TH seemed to be the worst burnt area we saw. All in all there was much more unburned than burned area. The areas we hiked, seemed to be 95% untouched.

The Circle Bar Ranch building is either new or refreshed. It was very clean and smelled almost new on the inside.
There was an old cement foundation in front of it. Maybe the old building? The drainage that's Cane Spring Canyon has flashed and is completely uncross-able by a vehicle. It actually had a decent flow still going from the recent rain

Alder Creek Trail #82 is an old FR. It disappears in many places but is not hard to find. We were only on this trail for about a mile, before we started our off trail journey. It was mainly grassy landscape with the before mentioned hidden surprises.

The payoff was starting to come into view after gaining Peak 3509. Apache Lake, the geographically splendiferous Superstitions and Four Peaks Wilderness are just jaw dropping. You don't take in these type of view anywhere else.

We fought the forecasted 5-10mph winds that were closer 20-25mph. At our turnaround and lunch destination we were lucky enough to find a place with tremendous views as well as shelter from the wind. We sat on a cliff on the north side of the Salt River, overlooking the Salt River Project Housing and Horse Mesa.
Lunch Spot: [ youtube video ]

If this area was easier to access, I'd love to do more exploring around here.

The hike back was uneventful and all we could think about was getting back to the last one mile stretch of smooth sailing in the wash.

Temps were a tad cool in the morning with the winds but were manageable all day. The wind finally started to lie down around 3pm.

Cane Spring trailhead area has burned pretty good

Lunch and turn around spot
[ youtube video ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horseshoe

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunset

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Boulder Creek	Dry	Dry
	It had flashed recently and was damp.

	Cane Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Full trough of clear cool water surrounded much cow splop .

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

2 archives

Dec 11 2021

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Hell's Hip Pocket Ridge from Cottonwood Camp, AZ

Hiking		Dec 11 2021
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	20.09 Miles	4,797 AEG

Hiking	20.09 Miles	10 Hrs 38 Mns	2.09 mph
	4,797 ft AEG	1 Hour 2 Mns Break

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Circle Bar Ranch - 4 Peaks Wild. Hells Hip Pocket Sheep Mountain 3567 - Salt River

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

It was time to walk the talk and take Bruce to hell and back.

Drive to Cottonwood Camp
FR401 is still smoother than FR143 to FR401. While most can get to Cottonwood Camp if dry, beware of the final drop to the creek, it is steep. It is currently in good condition with only minor ruts to cross near the bottom. There is a makeshift pullout spot above the drop. However, it's not flat and a potential hazard in itself. Bruce had no trouble down to Cottonwood Camp in his AWD Subaru. It would be unwise in 2WD if not dry. I've seen deep washouts near the bottom, but not for twenty years. You are committed midway down without 4WD.

Lower Soldier Camp Trail #84
Cairns start just after 1 mile, getting out of the easy travel creekbed. There's a nasty bush right in the middle of the trail right as you start to ascend. The area is toast and washed out but well cairned almost to the top. Knee-high grass in areas.

Top of #84 - FR401 to Cane Spring TH
Per usual, this is one gnarly road. It has been obliterated near the Cane Spring Trail junction before Cane Spring TH.

Alder Creek Trail #82
It's far from enjoyable to follow but it's really not terrible. catclaw to our turnoff was not problematic with awareness. The upper stretch we utilized is not its glory but it was the only level trail we followed with mini hints of relaxation.

Hell's Hip Pocket Ridge
My fourth visit, the last was ten years ago. The furthest point on this hike is eleven miles east of Bush Hwy. Even if it was advertised on a billboard it wouldn't be crowded. Bruce found a horseshoe that I suspect is in my 2004 photoset. While I wouldn't attempt without GPS, it was cool to have a feel for the route in areas with zero preplanning or review. This area will probably burn a few more times in my life. No biggie, the only thing that sucks here is that you will never be able to explore all of the views.

Synopsis
We passed three inspirational adventures and two explorers that primarily post to corporate media. Actually, I've never crossed paths with anyone east of Cottonwood Creek & South of Cottonwood Camp. The wicked geology of this rarely visited southern wilderness is nice, the power of four looming overhead is unmatched. The approach is cursable for long stretches, pants are a must. Gaiters would reduce the painful foxtails. Gusting wind half the day was my toughest obstacle. Unfortunately, all that pain is over.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Autumn Foliage Observation None
just red and orange weeds, not what folks seek

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Parish's goldeneye, Brittlebush, New Mexico Thistle, buckwheat, and Bruce shocked me identifying Four O'Clock

	Cane Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	The area smells terrible with cow activity but the water is crystal clear and running

_____________________

- joe

Apr 25 2015

topohiker

Guides 14
Routes 115
Photos 4,830
Triplogs 3,536

male

Joined Oct 29 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Brown's Cave

Phoenix, AZ

Brown's Cave

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 25 2015
		topohiker • Triplogs 3,536

Hiking	25.32 Miles	4,829 AEG

Hiking	25.32 Miles	14 Hrs 40 Mns	2.43 mph
	4,829 ft AEG	4 Hrs 15 Mns Break

Linked

linked

[ checklist ] Adams Camp - Four Peaks Wilderness Alder Creek - Four Peaks Four Peaks Wilderness

Partners

partners

fan3992

Fan and I went from the Cottonwood TH to Browns Cave.

Lower Soldier Trail
It took a minute to figure the start of the trail, but once we did there was cairns to lead you all the way to FR401.
Along the way to the Cane's spring TH, we stopped at the shack.

Alder Creek Trail
The trail started out as an old road and was very easy to follow. When the trail hit the Long canyon, we stayed in the canyon
until the trail pulled away. Then we bushwhacked over the trail. There been some recent trail maintenance until you hit the
Crabtree cabin. It took us a couple of minutes to figure out how to get to the cabin. There was a sign-in board at the cabin.
Fan & I were the first people to represent HAZ. There was quite a bit of Crabtree relatives visiting the cabin.
The route finding was a little more challenging past the cabin.

The Jungle aka "Brown Cave"
We lost the trail as we approached the descent into Alder Creek. We found two stone walls leading down to the creek.
Then we had to fight the jungle to get to the Creek. When got the creek Fan was done. The plan was to
go to the Cave then have lunch at the river /lake. Fan didn't want the fight anymore jungle, so I went on alone.

Beyond the jungle
I pushed through the jungle and walked right past Brown's Cave and continued on down the creek. For a stretch the water went underground.
I made to the 10 foot waterfall then stopped. The sky clouded up and the wind started to blow.
It looked like the 20% chance of rain was going to hit. I didn't have any Jedi masters to talk me into
climb down and up the waterfalls, so I turned around.

The trip back
The temps dropped fast as we headed back. This time we took the trail instead of going in Long creek.
The trail was easy to follow and mostly free of vegetation. As we started to climb out, the rain started.
It poured pretty hard for about 10 minutes, then it backed off. It rained for the last 4 hours of the hike.
We made it to the shed at Cane's Spring in time to put on the headlamps. We took FR401 all the way back to the Jeep.
Along the we saw an abandoned quad-runner. As we approached the Jeep the rain started to dump on us.

The road out
I was concerned about driving out with 4+ hours of rain. The road was slick but I didn't have any major issues getting out.
The Jeep did fishtailed in a couple of spots.

](*,)

Items that are MIA in the Jungle ](*,)

- HAZ-tracks android phone (good thing it was only $29.99)
- gators
- GPS Lithium ION rechargeable battery

This is a cool area to explorer. The terrain is slow moving and you should have a GPS route to get to alder creek.
I had long pants with gators and the a couple of Foxtails still managed to get in my socks!

I want to go back to take Long canyon to the river.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ornate Tree Lizard

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Historical Photograph Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

_____________________

"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright

2 archives

Mar 22 2014

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Four Peaks Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Mar 22 2014
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	27.60 Miles	7,400 AEG

Hiking	27.60 Miles	16 Hrs 28 Mns		1.78 mph
	7,400 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	14 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Four Peaks Trail #130

Cottonwood Camp to Lone Pine via Alder

Cane Spring Trail #77

Soldier Camp Trail #83

Partners

partners

BiFrost

This loop and especially Alder Creek has intrigued me since the '90s. Karl & I started at Mud Spring TH, hiked the road to Lone Pine then took #130 out to #82 ( not to be confused with Alder "Saddle" Trail #81 ).

Alder Creek Trail #82
Nature has reclaimed the trail. Perhaps 7% exists for the 6.25 miles heading down to Brown's Cave. Of that the creek is a less painful avenue. The area is everything I envisioned as a wided eyed kid thumbing through hiking books. Water is abundant and trees offer shade on occasion. The challenges of life are defenseless against you and Alder Creek Canyon is all yours.

Once out of Alder Creek the trail over to the trailhead is just route finding. Someone has kindly re-cairned 0.5mi to 1.6mi ( west to east ). It follows quicker than in previous years and catclaw only snagged once.

Cane Spring Trail #77
Easy to follow... in the dark! Someone must do periodic maintenance. Shocking out in the middle of nowhere and it only leads to the tragic mess on #83.

Soldier Camp Trail #83
Difficult to assess as it was dark. Seemed like a nuisance cairn hunt. I'm guessing it's not so bad in daylight. Killer night view back to Phoenix heading up to Big Saddle.

Never say never, it "seems" unlikely I'll redo this loop. One thing for sure... feels GREAT to join the got 'er done club! Thanks to Karl for helping bring this dream home!

Carried 5 quarts, consumed 6.

Wildflowers Observation Light
Strawberry Hedgehog was busting out for 10-15 miles of our hike. 1 - Desert Anemone near Paint Puddles, 1 - Desert Chicory mid Alder Creek. Medium patches of Desert Phlox on south expanse. A few iron yellow varieties.

	Adams Camp Spring	Dry	Dry
	Immediate area was damp. Perhaps something to filter if you poke around.

	Alder Creek - Four Peaks	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Flowing about 80% through upper 5-6 miles ( majority ) of creek. Shockingly* great flow, maybe 10 gpm. Lots of three foot waterfalls along the way. No sign of cattle grazing. * Last rain was 1-2 inches three weeks ago. Previous rain was two months prior, very dry spring around Arizona in 2014.

	Alder Creek - South Swim Hole	76-100% full	76-100% full
	Full, clear and creek flowing at least a gpm. Soon after the creek dried for the next mile.

	Paint Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Enough to filter. From previous experiences you can find a slight flow to pools further down.

_____________________

- joe

Mar 22 2014

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Four Peaks Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Mar 22 2014
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Hiking	27.63 Miles	7,433 AEG

Hiking	27.63 Miles	16 Hrs 28 Mns	1.97 mph
	7,433 ft AEG	2 Hrs 25 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Soldier Camp Trail #83

[ checklist ] Adams Camp - Four Peaks Wilderness Adams Camp Spring Alder Creek - Four Peaks Shake Spring

Four Peaks Trail #130

Cane Spring Trail #77

Partners

partners

joebartels

This hike has been on the list and Joe offered it up and worked out the route. Of course had to say yes to this oppturnity. Early start about 615am from Mud Spring TH walking up the road to Lone Pine TH. Good warm up for the real hike to come.

Once at Lone Pine TH we started down Four Peaks trail enjoying the traverse over to Black Bear Saddle. Great views along this section of Four Peaks and the lake. Black Bear Saddle is where the fun begins or pain depending on your perspective. There is a trail Alder Creek #82 but it's pretty much not there. We made several attempts to follow the trail but brush was too thick and path of least resistance was the creek. Very nice in the creek with water and pools most of the way down. So we did about 6 miles of boulder hopping down canyon to where the trail leaves it and heads over to Cane Spring TH. Alder is a great canyon...really enjoyed the numerous pools, mini-falls and scenery.

Finally made it to where Alder trail leaves the canyon and started heading over to Long Canyon. This section is also really nice...Joe pointing out some of the dramatic views, cliffs, and interesting rock. Also saw wild burro and pack of javalina's between Alder Creek and Cane Spring. Wish we had more time to explore this great area but time was not on our side.

We got to Cane Spring TH and it was getting very late in the day. Had to do much of the last 7 miles in the dark and trail conditions or non-trail in many spots made this time consuming. It was a tough stretch but finally made it over Big Saddle on the Soldier Camp Trail #83. Tough trail to follow but maybe it was due to darkness.

Thanks for putting this one together Joe

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Javelina

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

_____________________

Dec 08 2012

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Painted Cliffs, AZ

Hiking		Dec 08 2012
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	20.40 Miles	5,160 AEG

Hiking	20.40 Miles	13 Hrs		1.70 mph
	5,160 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	8 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

20 the hard way. Dark yet blinding roller coaster route finding challenge with cholla joy. Not for the timid. Elements beg my return...

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cottonwood

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Four Peaks Wilderness

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

	Adams Camp Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	plenty to filter

	Cane Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	easier to find than expected, plenty to filter in trough, nice and clear

_____________________

- joe

Dec 08 2012

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Painted Cliffs, AZ

Hiking		Dec 08 2012
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	20.77 Miles	5,279 AEG

Hiking	20.77 Miles	12 Hrs 58 Mns		1.74 mph
	5,279 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

linked