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| | | Back way to Reavis Ranch, AZ | | | |
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Back way to Reavis Ranch, AZ
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| Backpack | 26.80 Miles |
5,785 AEG |
| | Backpack | 26.80 Miles | 1 Day 3 Hrs 28 Mns | | |
| 5,785 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Had a bit of an itch to get away from everything, so I decided on some real social distancing and decided to try and utilize some lesser-used trails to get to Reavis Ranch. And I wanted to take advantage of plentiful water and relatively nice weather while it's still available...
Got to Miles Ranch TH, and crossed the creek in search of the Wildcat Canyon route, which I found pretty quickly with the help of GPS. The trail was pretty easy to follow up to the first ridge, after which it turned into just trying to force my way through scrub oak and catclaw, trying to stay close to the line on the map. Once the trail drops down into the wash, the going got much easier, and the rest of the trail was actually quite pleasant. I'm not sure it really offers anything that some of the canyons south of Miles don't, but I'm glad I saw it anyways...
On to Pinto Peak Trail... After the corral, I entered the burn area, and the trail seemed more like cow path than anything. It's a total wasteland now; most of the trail is gone, and everything is charred. I really wish I could've seen it a year ago...must've been pretty. I feel like the Woodbury Fire was the final blow for this trail.
On to Campaign... I kind of expected it, since I looked down into the canyon from the top of Mound a few months ago, but it's destroyed. Although not quite as bad as I expected, since some of the trees right along the creek survived. Anywhere the trail got close to the creek, it was completely erased. Which is probably about half of it. Got to the Fire Line junction, which I only found with GPS. Sign is gone. There is still a usable campsite at the junction, under some trees that were only partially burned. There were also some large animal tracks there, probably bear.
I already knew the Reavis side of Fire Line was pretty chewed up; turns out the Campaign side is as well. Despite being a steep climb, I kind of enjoyed not having to look around for trail anymore. When I got to Pine Creek, I was awfully tempted to set up camp there, but the animal tracks were awfully close and I figured I'd rather any bears that drop by during the night have a choice who to bother. Plus, I had plenty of daylight left, and forgot to bring a book. So I continued on to Reavis, where I claimed a nice campsite with good creek access just under 8 hours after starting. I didn't see anybody until after I got to Reavis Ranch. Mission accomplished.
I woke up at the crack of dawn, because I wanted to get home at a reasonable hour. Originally I had considered an off-trail route to the south, down around Peak 6120, and along the ridge to reconnect with Campaign. I decided against it because I'm at least somewhat responsible (and I would later look up on the proposed route and come to the conclusion that it would've been a bad idea). So instead I headed back across Fire Line to Campaign, and then up Campaign Creek.
A half mile or so before the trail leaves the creek bed, it actually starts becoming a little more intact. Maybe something to do with less water farther upstream. Fortunately, the ridge the trail climbs up was completely unscathed, so it is intact all the way to the saddle, and there is shade. The south side of the saddle is almost completely burned, but there wasn't as much vegetation there anyways.
I was really glad to be down at Oak Flat, because some flat walking seemed nice. Also, Oak Flat was not burned too badly. It looks like they may have done some burn operations to protect it. The sign at the junction is still intact (though the Cuff Button one is not).
West Pinto was fine, decent shade, although it started getting a little warm by the end. Got to the trailhead right around noon, about 5 1/2 hours in.
It was a good weekend. And I would not recommend this route to anybody. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
The ridge wasn't too bad but the drop to the trail was a bit steep. The last leg was through Wildcat Canyon. The start on the north end was cleared and easy to follow. When the trail was overgrown, the canyon floor was the easy choice. After the turn over the saddle the trail was gone and a beeline for the drop down point was made. From the drop down the trail was visible and the final mile to the ranch was easy going. Feeling complacent, lethargic and lost that zest for life? You need to get some Cuff Button. 
So I followed Bruce and Joe for a while and watched Bruce play bumper tag with a white pickup truck that came from Florence Junction. The entertainment started early but I pulled off at Pinto Valley mine and they continued on. The road down to Miles Ranch is a little rough but nothing you can't get by with high clearance. There were several pickups parked along the way which told me hunting season is on. I still didn't see another person out on the trails. I did see 1 white-tailed buck and 6 does along the way. Only one doe stopped for a photo. The trails are washed out, burnt, overgrown, rocky, down right ugly and I love it. 
It was a nice day out but the off-trail and side trips on this one tired me out. 
pumpkin out of me. I was happy to finally reach my vehicle, only to find the front driver side tire completely flat. I was wiped out. I took a few moments to rest, and drink some water from my backup jug (I always keep a 3 gallon jug of water in my Tahoe). I changed the tire and was on my way home. Made a quick stop for a sub sandwich at DeMarco's in Superior. Good call. The pizza and pasta looked delicious as well. I wanted to order one of everything, but settled for the sub.
