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Bullroad Trail #202 - 3 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 3.7 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Mar 26 2022
avatar

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

55 male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Tuscumbia - Bradshaw - Bullroad Loop, AZ 
Tuscumbia - Bradshaw - Bullroad Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2022
joebartels • Triplogs 5,894
Hiking17.59 Miles 3,372 AEG
Hiking17.59 Miles   8 Hrs   56 Mns   2.22 mph
3,372 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break
 
Linked   linked  
Tuscumbia Trail #215
Bradshaw Trail #216
Bullroad Trail #202
Battle Flat Trail #389
Partners partners
The_Eagle
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We hiked this loop from the upper end 5 1/2 years ago in Sept, so I thought it would be good to check it out again in cooler weather. Subaruce went the full nine yards getting us to a lower starting point.

Tuscumbia Trail #215
Other than Route Scout calling it out, there's no indication this trail exist. Like all the trails on this loop, motorcycles probably outnumber hikers 20+ to 1. This one gains SXS, UTV, and ATVs. Dotted with pines, it sports some nice areas. Unfortunately the gnats were upon us. Scored my first mosquito bite of the year, woot woot?

Bradshaw Trail #216
Still a steep slippery-rutted mess, with very few switchbacks. The forecasted 18 mph gust wind never maximized sweat, it was rarely a light breeze. The upper 1.8 miles are through or near pine trees. However, the tread is still too crappy for insta-like seekers.

Upper Crossover
Steep in areas. Great views most of the way.

Bullroad Trail #202
Steep, undesirable tread for majority of steep grades. We've never hiked the lower 6.7 miles, our lower end was through Bear Creek. It had a light flow. We probably crossed the average 2 ft wide flow a hundred times.

Synopsis
A whopping two SXSs and no motorcycles. Signage is still circa the 80s. The loop was better in September than in late March. While Bear Creek had a light flow, the majority of the hike is unkind to the unrested. Still better than not getting out.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fendler's pennycress
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
just one white and one yellow variety on the hike, verbena along the drive

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Bear Creek Light flow Light flow
Light flow off and on. It disappeared and reappeared for large stretches that doubled as Bullroad Trail.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Tuscumbia Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
Not much to count on here, a tiny pool or two, better options to the West in Bear Creek.
_____________________
- joe
 
Mar 26 2022
avatar

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

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Tuscumbia - Bradshaw - Bullroad Loop, AZ 
Tuscumbia - Bradshaw - Bullroad Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2022
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking18.23 Miles 3,482 AEG
Hiking18.23 Miles   8 Hrs   57 Mns   2.28 mph
3,482 ft AEG      58 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Tuscumbia Trail #215
Bradshaw Trail #216
Bullroad Trail #202
Battle Flat Trail #389
Partners partners
joebartels
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We did this track from the top 5 1/2 years ago with @rayhuston. This time we decided to start from the North/bottom. I was unsure how close I'd be able to get with a Subaru, on street tires, with 35k miles on them. I made it to the planned parking area with only bottoming a couple of times.

Up Tuscumbia Trail #215, the trail has been widened to a two track for awhile and is much easier to follow than our previous hike. It takes you through conifers while roughly following the lightly flowing Tuscumbia Creek.

Now turning to the north on the Bradshaw Trail #216, the climb begins in earnest, climbing 2000' to the top. Some of the trail is rutted and very steep. The steepness give you an excuse to stop and take in the views. There are a couple of very nice areas of Ponderosas while making your way up Wild Flower Gulch. There were minimal wildflowers on the hike and snow was still hanging on towards the top.

At Wild Flower Saddle, we made our way 2.5 miles east over to BullRoad Trail #202. The top of this trail has changed from our previous hike. There have been new driveways cut in and additional cabins erected, that the the trail crosses through at the top. This trail is starting to close in a bit, but shorts still work fine. This trail also gets steep, loose and rutted in sections as it makes it's way down to Bear Creek at Hidden Tunnel Spring.

The 4.5 mile hike next to and across Bear Creek (many times) was mostly pleasant. The upper sections were shaded with Ponderosa. The creek flow was almost always there giving you the ability to cool off.

The final push back to the truck was a 450'AEG slog, climbing out of Bear Creek on Battle Flat Trail #389.
The only people we actually crossed paths with all day, were in a Side by Side as were were loading up when we finished. They were shocked/surprised to see how far back off the Senator highway were were able to get in a Subaru.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bear Creek
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Hidden Tunnel Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
Hard to tell where the source was located. Bear Creek was flowing the majority of the length we hiked.
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Sep 03 2016
avatar

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

55 male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Bullroad - Tuscumbia - Bradshaw Loop, AZ 
Bullroad - Tuscumbia - Bradshaw Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 03 2016
joebartels • Triplogs 5,894
Hiking18.20 Miles 4,117 AEG
Hiking18.20 Miles   10 Hrs   33 Mns   2.28 mph
4,117 ft AEG   2 Hrs   33 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Bullroad Trail #202
Battle Flat Trail #389
Tuscumbia Trail #215
Bradshaw Trail #216
Partners partners
rayhuston
The_Eagle
Another Bradshaw winner. Planned this months ago. All the mishaps put us in prime season. Water was flowing in several creeks, fabulous weather and wildflowers made it special. Bruce didn't care for any of the parking options around Crown King so we immediately shaved my six mile culture walk off the loop.

This is gps country, come prepared. Many of the trails from Lake Pleasant to Mount Union are motorbike trails. This means switchbacks are unlikely. It also means catclaw or any type of bushwhacking is rare as these trails really get used. If you find trail signage and it's still standing it's likely weathered out of readability. Roads are most used by SxS, ATV, UTVs.

Bullroad Trail #202
Shell shocked it was signed, existed and looked inviting! Starting off in cool dry sixties was oh so welcoming. The storybook pines simply couldn't last. When they reappeared at Hidden Spring it just seemed too good to be true. It warmed up a smidgen as we dropped 2,800 feet to #389. Bear Creek was flowing lightly most of the way.

We hiked the upper 6.5 miles in prime. The trail continues almost another 7 miles in much less fascinating terrain so I've opted for 3 instead of 4 out of 5 rating.

Battle Flat Trail #389
The beginning of our ascent. An old jeep road that jumps a ridge then goes through a creek over to Tuscumbia. Slender sky high pines scattered on the south bank are enjoyable.

Nearby Battle Flat is the 5k low point between 7.9k Mount Union and 7.6k Towers Mountain. Just 1.5 miles north of #389 is Turkey Creek which is the bottom of the Arrastra Pine Dandrea Yankee Doodle Loop I adore.

Tuscumbia Trail #215
The adventure of Tuscumbia Creek is easy hiking dotted with tall pines.

Bradshaw Trail #216
Expectations were low and lower after Bullroad Trail dazzled. It turned out to be another winner... for myself. Steep trenches in the upper section would have most swearing it off. Otherwise lots of nice areas. Along with many of the trails in the area this is on maps well over a hundred years old.

Synopsis
This helped me understand the Bradshaw puzzle from Lake Pleasant to Prescott. A four to eight day backpack loop from the fringe of the Valley holds a place in my mind now.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Arizona Blackberry  Arizona Grape  Chaparral  Ivy Leaf Morning Glory  RedStar
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hidden Tunnel Spring
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Redstar has taken over the Bradshaws. It is everywhere and thick in areas. Canyon Morning Glory is going bonkers. Fields of Princely Daisy. Dense Firecracker Penstemon ~ Cardinalflower type reds in many areas too.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Hidden Tunnel Spring Gallon + per minute Gallon + per minute
Without disclosing the location I'll just add it's flowing very nice.
_____________________
- joe
 
Sep 03 2016
avatar

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

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Bullroad - Tuscumbia - Bradshaw Loop, AZ 
Bullroad - Tuscumbia - Bradshaw Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 03 2016
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking19.17 Miles 4,165 AEG
Hiking19.17 Miles   10 Hrs   33 Mns   2.24 mph
4,165 ft AEG   2 Hrs    Break16 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Bullroad Trail #202
Battle Flat Trail #389
Tuscumbia Trail #215
Bradshaw Trail #216
Partners partners
joebartels
rayhuston
We've been trying to get to this loop for quite some time now. Between the heat and floods something always put this this plan A on the back burner. Joe and I have been on a mission for the last 5 years or so to show the Bradshaws some love and get all the trails documented. We're getting close, but these were low on our radar, believing them to be not worth the trouble.

Boy were we wrong. Bullroad Trail and the Bradshaw trail have some incredible forest and creek areas.

We'd been planning this one for so long, that Amy (AZHiker456) had done a portion of this and gave a great place to park and start from.

Bullroad #202 starts off of FR92 and really has no parking. The upper portion of this trail goes through a gorgeous pine forest. We expected no trail, but were pleasantly surprised to find a nice track. It descends sometimes steeply 2700' by the time you get to the Battle Flat trail. The steepest part of this descent is over when you get to Hidden Tunnel Spring and get into Bear Creek. The remainder of this trail is in and next to Bear Creek and is another one of the unexpected highlights, as were the plentiful flowers and the best tasting AZ grapes I've ever had.

Battle Flat #389 is an old two track that we used to get over to Tuscumbia Trail. This is the low point and starts the 2900' climb to the top.

Tuscumbia #215 I didn't expect this trail to exist either, but once again, very easy to follow. It follows Tuscumbia Creek. On the gentle grade up to get to the Bradshaw Trail, we kicked up a huge buck still in velvet.

Bradshaw Trail #216 is steep and exposed on the bottom half. Once in Wildflower Gulch the pines thicken. This area was untouched by the Gladiator fire and was quite a surprise and highlight. At Wild Pigeon Spring, an old mining road took us to the top.

The Crown King Saloon, a Patty Melt and a beer topped off a great day. Time to check to see which we have left to document.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ivy Leaf Morning Glory
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Extreme in sections

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Hidden Tunnel Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
Did not view the source, but water was running in the area

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Wild Pigeon Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
Did not observe the source, but there was plenty of flow in the area
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
average hiking speed 2.25 mph

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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