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| | | General Crook Trail- V20 - V39, AZ | | | |
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General Crook Trail- V20 - V39, AZ
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| Hiking | 24.70 Miles |
3,500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 24.70 Miles | 10 Hrs 8 Mns | | 2.63 mph |
| 3,500 ft AEG | 45 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Round 3 on our General Crook Trail adventure.
Who needs a Flat Denny when you have a 3D Denny!
Perfect weather Temps started in the low 60's, up to 71, and then we finished at 59.
We started at Apron Tank, just off Rt260, located around V20 (20 miles from Fort Verde) and began our climb up to the rim. The trail thus far, and on this section, have been easier to follow that expected. A GPS with a track created completely on HAZ's powerful Route Mgr, is defiantly required to keep you on course. Old Topo maps and the Boy Scout GC Trail book provide the fodder.
On this section I think we have seen the last of our Wire Basket Rock Cairns. Since the Junipers and now Ponderosas are more prevalent, we are seeing many more "V" Chevrons to direct the way.
Now up in the tall pines, the area around V28 - V30 was confusing as there are old roads and new Forrest roads that go all over through here. My description of the track and what we were seeing, did not agree, and we lost some time here looking for Chevrons.
We finally reach and cross Rt 87 and spot the 2nd of the old General Crook Trail Signs "V31"
This section (V31 - V39) I had my biggest concern on so far. I'm concerned that with the lack of traffic on this trail, we'll have trouble with all sorts of downed trees and have major route finding issues. I was pleasantly surprised that sometime in the last two years, someone had cut all the downed trees and had re-sprayed the Chevrons to make them more visible. There is also evidence, with flags and ribbons in portions, that additional work was in the works. All we had to worry about, was this years dead fall.
At V34-1/2 we took a side trip up to the Baker Butte Fire Lookout Tower. It's not yet open for the year, but there is evidence of lots of work done to the 1936 structure, including the addition of a new Generator.
Other historical items spotted.
1) Grave of Andres Moreno (7/11/1840 - 7/16/1887) who worked on the trail and was a soldier at Fort Verde
2) Evidence of the old Military Telegraph line that allowed communication between Headquarters in Ft Whipple (Prescott), Fort Verde, and Fort Apache/
With this trip complete we have completed a little more than 65 miles and 8800 of AEG.
We started at an Elevation of 4900' and have made it to the Rim at over 8000'.
Now we start our trek across the top of the rim in the cool pines and about 95 more miles to go.
Fauna spotted on this trip
An Arizona Black Rattlesnake (my first)
a small gaggle of Elk
A flock of deer
A heard of Hummingbirds
Good Times Turtle!
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Baker Lake |
1-25% full |
1-25% full |
| | More of a marsh.
Could filter if needed.
Would be easier to beg for water or beer from passers by on FR 300. |
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Lee Johnson Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Large wet area. Small pools available to filter from. | | _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Even with more snow tomorrow, it'll be a world easier following my tracks. I highly recommend it! 
