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| Hiking | 3.20 Miles |
1,129 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.20 Miles | 5 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.07 mph |
| 1,129 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 15 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | This lesser known ancient Native American ruin site was located on Google Earth by HAZ- ssk44 back in April'19. It is located off Hwy 188 in from Pumpkin Center, AZ, and required crossing Tonto Creek [ photo ] which is always flowing at various seasonal water levels and CFS rates: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv/? ... 0065,00060 (view the Hike Guide "Driving Directions" for creek crossing guidelines).
To the off-trail Park/TH Start for this hike requiring an 89 mile one way drive from my residence for a 3.2 mile roundtrip hike meant that I have to love ancient ruin hunting and off-trail bushwhacking / route finding or else it would never be scheduled.. Oregon_Hiker and I do enjoy it, so we finally scheduled it 
It was a good weather day and a good hike destination with some much needed Tonto NF exercise and also for me, some much needed fresh air. My last hike (walk) was a 7 miler at Disneyland, CA, the "Happiest Place on Earth" 12/27/19. Among the masses of people there, this was the closest I have been to being lost in a long time  and absolutely no fresh air.
As with most remote, ancient Native American ruin sites, even if one does not find stellar construction still standing and various artifacts to take pictures of, the near and distant scenery for most all these site locations is always worth the effort of a visit. This once approximate eight room dwelling was no exception and another rewarding ruins visit for me 
I had promised Larry an interesting end to the day with a hardy country style dinner menu at the historic "Butcher Hook Restaurant and Saloon" [ image ] off Hwy 188 in Tonto Basin, AZ. I had a bottomless ice tea with a (real) long tea spoon , endless sugar in a large pour container then my main entre was a fresh tossed salad with thousand island dressing, an 8oz breaded chicken fried steak with mash potatoes and fresh chicken gravy yellow corn, and buttered Texas toast It was a great choice and the only thing we forgot to buy and bring to really feel more at home here was the latest 2020 red Rep Baseball Cap. Maybe for next time or maybe not.. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
The views of Tonto Basin and the Mazatzal Mountains to the west from the top of the peak were excellent. The ruin was where ssk44 had predicted. It appeared to have had about 8 rooms. The rock walls had all collapsed or been knocked down. Based on the size and shape of the rocks I would have expected some sections of wall to still be standing. That makes me suspect the walls had been purposefully knocked down. Pottery sherds were scattered about and there was a small collection in the ruin. We chose a slightly different route back to the car to make it a loop hike.
