Turret Peak • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Oct 27 2021

LJW

Routes 154
Photos 1,505
Triplogs 266

31 male

Joined Jun 02 2019
Phoenix, AZ

Pine - Turret Loop, AZ

Hiking		Oct 27 2021
		LJW • Triplogs 266

Hiking	22.54 Miles	5,119 AEG

Hiking	22.54 Miles	10 Hrs	2.50 mph
	5,119 ft AEG	1 Hour Break

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Nelson Trail #159

Willow Springs Trail #12

Verde Rim Trail #161

Pine Mountain 6814

Turret Peak

Buck Basin Trail #158

Pine Flat Trail #165

Pine Mountain Verde Rim Loop

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

If fall's taught me one thing it's don't be an early bird because all you get is worms. Finally timed a fall trip right and got to see the Pine Mountain Wilderness in a full turn. From the lowest sycamore to the highest oak, along with the trees of Bishop and Sycamore Creeks, it was all at peak. Wanted to give the Pine Mountain - Verde Rim Loop a go for the color, and I couldn't help but stretch it out and add Turret Peak. 8 miles on the incomparable Verde Rim with two of the most scenic summits in central AZ, plus fall color all around the wilderness area, admittedly looks a lot better on paper. Not sure I'd ever do this again.

The drive in was an hour and half from the 17, about an hour of which was spent on the final road's last five miles. One creek crossing in Dugas. I'm more cowardly and strapped for cash than most drivers, but I would personally not chance it with mid-clearance or lower. Only people I saw all day were two pairs of hunters who were driving out as I was driving in.

Nelson through Willow Springs a near perfect turn of sycamore and oak, but the real show is on Pine Flat in Beehouse Canyon where the maples were astonishing. Every drainage on that side of the mountain was filled with yellow and red. Pine Mountain summit is as good as advertised. With the climb up Verde Rim 161, the whole experience is nearly as good as Mazzy Peak, with everything near and dear from the SF Peaks and higher mountains of Coconino/Kaibab to the local summits in the New River Mountains and Superstitions to the south on full display. The Mazzy views are as good as it gets outside the range.

Down the rim on 161 until it veers down the mountain, and I proceeded up the ridge. Lots of cattle out and about, and they have carved good trails down the Verde Rim for many stretches. Getting to Mockingbird Pass was the easiest of the off trail portions, and after that it is a significant bushwhack until bottoming out in Bishop Creek. South of the pass is a rocky ridge that can't be traversed. Bushwhacked along side it. After that it mellows out a little until Turret. Any drainage and nearly all ups/downs involved pushing through the brush/low trees, and in the grassier moments the terrain was littered with rocks of the wrong size. Climbed through the cliffs to get to Turret, and then up the slopes that are rocky, steep, and loose. Made my way around to a summit scramble. I do not know of a summit outside of the Mazzies that has a better view in Central AZ. For me, better than Pine Mountain. Between the two, it's like being at the center of it all.

1000ft bushwhacking down Turret over some frustrating mountainside to Bishop Creek. Bishop Creek was a full turn. Good cattle trails along the banks. Lots and lots of yellow. Got to the drainage that leads up to Buck Basin. Took the ridge instead of the creek. More bushwhacking around a broken ridgeline before the grass took over on the mountainside and the going got easier. Descended into Buck Basin after having worked my way above. First good trail since 161 honed into view. Half mile+ up to Nelson. Nelson until about a half mile or mile to Pine Flat is gone to the wilds, and ~7 miles off trail for the day turned into ~9. At that point, it was killer. Just wanted to put my head down.

At first Pine Flat Trail looks like it's a goner, but continuing through the overgrowth sure enough it's there. It comes and goes at times, but there are some ribbons in the trees and cairns on the ground. In Sycamore Creek the oaks were as good as it gets. It's a lovely stretch of trail, and I was glad I hadn't skipped it for Short Cut. After that it's through Pine Flat which could more accurately be called juniper flat, and then into Beehouse where the maples were nearly all a deep red. Stopped looking around much and focused on finishing before sunset. Made it back as the sun got to disappearing, but it was still light enough to see the road.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Sycamore Bigtooth Maple

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Autumn - Color Foliage

Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Even turn just about everywhere, all drainages and sections of sycamore, oak, maple, etc were at peak. Very little green left, leaves starting to fall.

Apr 07 2020

FLYING_FLIVER

Guides 1
Routes 259
Photos 10,458
Triplogs 293

male

Joined Jan 28 2010
Fountain Hills,

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Hiking		Apr 07 2020
		FLYING_FLIVER • Triplogs 293

Hiking	3.75 Miles	1,275 AEG

Hiking	3.75 Miles	5 Hrs 28 Mns	1.96 mph
	1,275 ft AEG	3 Hrs 33 Mns Break

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This hike was rather short, due to me being able to negate all 'road hiking'.
I took FR-1981 all the way to the last point where Bishop Creek and FR 1981 cross each other.
It's as close to Turret Peak as a car can get.

The last 100 yards of FR 1981 (just prior to Bishop Creek), is a 'joke' of a road. It's more like driving down a very narrow, and rounded, 'half-tube'.
It made me think of the Olympic game's 'Luge' event.

I used Bishop Creek, then a drainage, to get part way up to Turret Pk.
I then plowed through vegetation for the last portion of the hike. It gets quite steep, the closer you get to the 'turret' portion of Turret Pk.

I peered at the vertical walls of the turret, and finally found a safe, and easy route up to the top of the bouldery turret ridge. A short trek on the turret top led me to the high point.
The high point is rather level, with alot of room to move around. As soon as I got to the high point, I could see all three USGS disks, that were set atop boulders back in 1966.

There are great views in every direction. I spent alot of time enjoying those views.
The hike down was easy and uneventful.

======================

Sadly, this will be my last hike in HAZ country, until this coming fall. This COVID-19 stuff is forcing me back to the midwest early, to take care of some family things. Nothing drastic, just getting back there to be available, if needed.

Now ….. I have some "Shout-Outs" to make, to HAZ hikers.

Shout-Out #1
Thanks for all your 'Likes' and nice 'Comments' on my triplogs and photosets. I read them all, and appreciate them all. Obviously, I end up hiking to benchmarks, but that's only my 'own ploy', to get out, and enjoy Arizona.
It appears we all have different, and varied backgrounds, but the love of hiking, sets us all in the same, adventurous direction. Good for us.

2 - Shout-Out #2
wallyfrack - I won't be able to get up to "Peak 5501" until this fall, but I promise it will be one of my first hikes, when I get back.
With the stock market in the 'dumps', I now have a double incentive to get up to Peak 5501.

[ photo ]

Shout-Out #3
To our HAZ CEO and President, Joe Bartels - You don't get enough verbal credit. Your HAZ hiking site is, by far, the absolute best hiking site on the planet. No other site even comes close.
The work you have put into this website is just amazing. The depth and breadth of HAZ is almost never-ending, and it's all because of you, and your efforts. Yes, we all contribute our hike stuff to HAZ, but you make all this work.

I'm sure I'm not alone, when I say, every time I put up my hike info, I smile from ear to ear, knowing that I'm affiliated with HAZ. Keep up the great work, and know that you are much appreciated.
===========
Now - To all HAZ members - Hike Safe - and - Stay Healthy.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Claret Cup Cactus

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Bushwhack Cairn HAZ Rides Height of Light Reference Mark Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bishop Creek - Near FR 1981 Granite Peak Rugged Mesa Turret Peak

_____________________

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN

1 archive

Nov 29 2014

joebartels

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

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Rugged Mesa - Turret Peak - Bishop Creek Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 29 2014
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	11.80 Miles	2,495 AEG

Hiking	11.80 Miles	9 Hrs 8 Mns		1.51 mph
	2,495 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Rugged Mesa 5660 - Tonto NF

Turret Peak

Partners

partners

The_Eagle

The AMC Eagle had perks in the area to knock off his wish list. Started about 7:40am in crisp yet warmer than average 40ish temps. The aroma of a nearby campfire tickled our senses. Short of a mile we turned off-trail for a mean beeline ascent up Rugged Mesa. The nippy chill was no match for this ascent so we retired the warm hats and secondary shirts.

Unfortunately neither of us came prepared for the villain of Autumn. Foxtails and other sharp seeds from the record summer rainfall wanted blood. Had we come prepared with gaiters this would have been enjoyable. Temps were perfect. Visibility was great. We had just enough knowledge to name off a few surrounding and distant peaks.

Contemplated Turret as the chaparral looked thick. More so as our feet were crying uncle. Already invested thus far we forged ahead. Dropped off the NE end of Rugged Mesa then ascended the SW side of Turret. Midway up it got steep. It also got interesting so our decision panned out. I took a stab at a direct assault up the SE corner while Bruce wrapped around the east. Made it up one class four pitch with another to go. I retreated as it felt like I was taking too long. The downside of that decision was having to hover over an agave midway on the wall. After some speed praying it worked out.

Turret is pretty cool up top with it's 360 degree perched views. Three FLIVER discs found up top. 2 referenced to the 1 peak. Heading up we had joked about wanting an army to come up and kill us so we would not have to tread anymore foxtails. Looking back the worst was on the west side of Rugged Mesa, most notably our initial ascent.

We dropped off the NW end of Rugged Mesa following nobert15's ( correction, Hansenaz's! ) track initially. Steep, slower than anticipated yet the worst of the day was well behind. We angled north to Bishop Creek as Buck Basin was our next perk.

Bishop Creek felt like a resort with virtually nothing to impede travel. The crunch of sycamore leaves and occasional turning cottonwoods dazzled us. Sandwiched between Turret and an unnamed high peak, 5650, directly above NW rounded out the welcome wagon.

Out of Bishop, up a tributary towards Buck Basin, got our attention. The geology of the creek had a little flair. Bypassed a dryfall then lunched before another. An enjoyable Autumn lunch with a nice breeze. Time got away from us so a return is in the cards.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bishop Creek - Near FR 1981 Rugged Mesa Turret Peak

Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Sycamores past. Cottonwoods just underway.

	Bishop Creek - Near FR 1981	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Speaking to the two miles east of FR 1981. Shallow six inch clear pools up to twenty feet long on occasion. Barely flowing in one spot. Less desirable towards FR 1981, some stagnant, some with the oil layer on top.

_____________________

- joe

Nov 29 2014

The_Eagle

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

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Rugged Mesa - Turret Peak - Bishop Creek Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 29 2014
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	12.46 Miles	2,505 AEG

Hiking	12.46 Miles	9 Hrs 6 Mns		1.60 mph
	2,505 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Turret Peak

Rugged Mesa 5660 - Tonto NF

Partners

partners

joebartels

I needed to scratch this itch.
This has been another on my radar for awhile.

My interest was re tweaked when I was researching the General Crook Trail that Denny and I completed last year.

On March 27, 1873, a group of soldiers and Apache Scouts under the command of Captain George M. Randall crept up Turret Peak around midnight. Randall had the men crawl on hands and knees to avoid making any noise or rattling any stones. Waiting until dawn, the soldiers charged and surprised a rancheria near the crest of the mountain. The natives were so startled and panic-stricken that many of them simply jumped from the mountain side falling to their death below.[2] Some resisted, fighting for a little while before being killed or surrendering. Fifty-seven natives died as result and several more were wounded and captured. Unfortunately a few civilians were found in the cave after the fighting had stopped, killed accidentally by the covering fire or rolling rocks. The attack at Turret Peak proved demoralizing to the Yavapai and Apache people. Two weeks after the battle, on April 6, many of the hostiles surrendered to Crook at Camp Verde. Several of the soldiers who fought at Turret Peak were later awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/89/George_Crook_at_turret_peak.jpg

Temps were perfect on the day. In the 30's at the start but became very pleasant once we got into the sunlight.

A half mile road walk and then straight up Rugged Mesa. 'Twas a bit steep, but more than anything, I was wishing for the Gaiters I'd left in the truck. Rugged Mesa, with the proper protection, is a nice walk with great views. It was just under 2 miles across the top, but stopping to remove prickly things, slowed us down.

From on top of Rugged Mesa, we plotted our route up Turret trying to bypass as much of the sharp prickly stuff that we could. It worked out pretty well for the most part.

Based on the uncontrollable language coming from both of our mouths, this peak should be renamed Tourette Peak instead of Turret Peak

I made it to the western bench just below the peak and then Joe led us around the eastern side to ascend the Class 3 to the top of Turret. There was only one slightly sketchy spot. Views...well... WOW.

Video from atop Turret Peak :next:

http://youtu.be/IQi-CUAIUEY

We were woefully behind on our timetable due to the thickness of the Flora to this point. We decided we'd make it down to Bishop Creek, have some lunch, and then assess the situation.

Bishop Creek was like Heaven compared to what we were through. We went towards Buck Basin, but while eating some lunch, decided the rest of the track was not in the cards on this day. We retreated down Bishop Creek. Bishop Creek itself looks to be a worthy location to check out.

I DO have unfinished business up there, but at least Turret is out of my system.

Recommendations for Rugged Mesa / Turret Peak
Good GPS Track :next:

Check
Long Pants :next:

Check
Long Sleeve shirt :next:

Check
Gaiters :next:

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Teva

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Horseshoe Reference Mark

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Pine Mountain Rugged Mesa Turret Peak

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

	Bishop Creek - Near FR 1981	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Plenty of filterable water along the stretch we hiked.

_____________________

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

Oct 25 2012

Hansenaz

Guides 4
Routes 205
Photos 9,282
Triplogs 526

72 male

Joined Apr 06 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Hiking		Oct 25 2012
		Hansenaz • Triplogs 526

Hiking	9.70 Miles	2,792 AEG

Hiking	9.70 Miles	7 Hrs 15 Mns	1.34 mph
	2,792 ft AEG

Linked

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no linked trail guides

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I had been thinking about this one for a while. It is an interesting looking peak with an interesting history (check out Nobert15's excellent description). The fight with the Indians on top of Turret Peak apparently gave rise to the common name of this area (Bloody Basin) and it is a major high point looking over this part off the Verde valley.

I took a recon trip to the peak last year and found out that the road system in is a little tricky (I got it wrong) and that in lieu of a jeep it might be fun to approach the mountain by going over rather than around Rugged Mesa.

The turnoff to the left for FR44 is ~17 mi. from I-17 and the road is marked with a FR44 sign, I went almost a mile down this rough road with high clearance before deciding "good enough". I walked the jeep road about 0.5mi to a junction and then headed off cross country up the side of Rugged Mesa. It's a little steep but once on top it was pretty good walking in the rocky grassland. There were only a few signs that the area had burned in the past. I spooked 3 does on top of the mesa.

Eventually Turret Peak comes into view. I had stayed on the right side of the mesa and it was a steep drop to the saddle. It looked like the descent would have been a little better if I'd have taken the "left fork" at the mesa end. From the end of the mesa until leaving the peak by entering Bishop Creek in a couple hours, it's steep bushwacking through the scrub.

Reaching the actual summit requires a bit of scrambling. I had good luck going up from the left, a little ways down from first contacting the rock. More skillful scramblers could probably go directly SW to NE right over the summit and on to the long "table" beyond the summit.

The summit doesn't get a lot of visitors. The "weathered" scraps of paper showed a group of Boy Scouts in 2011 and 2012; the only other legible names were a pair of hikers from March 2012. Great views from on top.

I had hoped to look around the summit area for "signs of history" but the table-area was heavily overgrown and there was nothing easily found. Like Nobert15 I took the direct route down to (dry) Bishop Creek which looked like a pretty line of colored trees from above. I saw another deer along the way and a buck in the creek drainage. Walking the creek was a lot nicer than the bushwacking and the drainage is open enough that there was minimal tree limb ducking. There were a few pools of water and I saw several large carnivore "scat piles" which I was curious about but couldn't identify.

The creek led to FR44 (nobert15's jeep-enabled starting point) and I headed out the road back to my car.

I'm glad I got this one out of my system and it's pretty country with great views, but the steep bushwacking is a negative.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Sycamore

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Reference Mark

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Turret Peak

_____________________

Feb 16 2012

Hansenaz

Guides 4
Routes 205
Photos 9,282
Triplogs 526

72 male

Joined Apr 06 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Turret Peak

Camp Verde, AZ

Hiking		Feb 16 2012
		Hansenaz • Triplogs 526

Hiking	9.50 Miles

Hiking	9.50 Miles	5 Hrs 50 Mns	1.63 mph

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

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This turned out to be a recon trip. I expected problems with the 4x4 road but I didn't anticipate problems with finding it. Here's what I learned: FR44 (the eastern intersection with the Bloody Basin Rd) is ~18mi from I-17 and there actually is a small "44" sign identifying it.

Unfortunately I sampled two different unlabeled dirt roads a mile or two before FR44. This cost me time and in the end I walked from ~1mi up the second one, though I soon realized I should be in the next valley to the east. I toured the high ridge (west of FR44) and explored the drainage just east of Mesa Butte before following it and a smaller tributary to FR44.

I followed the road to Bishop Creek and then went east in the drainage toward Turret Peak. The walking is not bad, a little branch ducking and rock hopping. I only went as far as the 2nd crossing of the jeep road and walked the road back to FR44/Bishop Creek. The drainage and road are probably about the same timewise.

Walking out FR44 I decided it didn't look too bad...probably doable in stock SUVs, though I didn't actually follow it all the way back to Bloody Basin Rd. I angled west up the ridge to get back to my car.

I was back early enough to take the long dirt road, past Seven Springs, back to the Cave Creek area. It's a real thrill when you crest the ridge overlooking Verde Valley and think (for a moment) you're going right off the cliff..

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Common Mullein

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Turret Peak

_____________________

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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