North Access to Apache Creek Wilderness • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Sep 13 2014

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Walnut Creek Exploration, AZ

Hiking		Sep 13 2014
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	5.03 Miles	375 AEG

Hiking	5.03 Miles	1 Hour 47 Mns	2.82 mph
	375 ft AEG

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linked

Apache Creek Trail #9905

Graver Wash Trail #9904 - Prescott NF

North Access to Apache Creek Wilderness

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After dropping off the group at Graver Wash for their Apache Creek hike, I decided to further research access to this wilderness from the north. The forest service doesn't have any indication of access, but it is so close that I just had to try. After all, the drive to the Graver Wash trailhead really is quite a chore, and if you hike the 95A road, it adds unnecessary and boring miles.

I started at a nice turn out on FR95 at the east end of the valley, having previously seen an old roadbed that leads away from the Graver Wash trail just east of where it crosses Apache Creek. I got lost, turned around, chased by hungry horses, and eventually spotted by a farmhand working in the fields on a tractor.

I quickly continued to the west, over a route that was much longer than I had remembered or expected from looking at maps. Finally I reached the wilderness and decided to investigate the more direct route directly north to Walnut Creek Road to exit the wilderness. My map showed that I had just 1/4 of a mile of private property that needed to be crossed. To get there, I had to hike nearly half a mile along the wilderness fence line over a small hill.

From there, I passed through a gate and took the most direct route. I was back at the road in no time, but not before encountering some more horses as I got a bit closer to a corral and ranch home than I would have liked. I spent a little bit of time investigating better options before hiking the road back to my truck.

At no point did I see any No Trespassing or Private Property signs. Some of the gates did have locks on them though. I got home and did some research. Contact information for the ranch owners is easy to come by, and having been there once, I think that's by far the best course of action before the next visit.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dam - Rock Truck Remains/Wreckage

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hunt Ranch Juniper Mesa Round Valley Spring Taylor Ranch

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

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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