E Cross L Trail #281 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Apr 15 2023

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

E L - Venezia loop, AZ

Run/Jog		Apr 15 2023
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	10.13 Miles	2,441 AEG

Run/Jog	10.13 Miles	3 Hrs 27 Mns	2.94 mph
	2,441 ft AEG

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Venezia Trail #381

E Cross L Trail #281

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Had been wanting to check out some of the more remote parts of the Northern Bradshaws, and saw what appeared to be a nice loop south of Mt Union. Bonus being that it provided an opportunity to take the Jeep out. Turns out I forgot there was a fire in this area just a year ago. Oh well.

E+L trail is actually pretty easy to follow up and over Ash Creek Ridge, despite the fire. Had no route finding challenges, although the Ash Creek side did not fare well in the fire. Full moonscape from about 1/3 of the way down the ridge until where the trail in Ash Creek leaves the bottom of the drainage. A few of the creek crossings are washed out, but other than that, the route finding was surprisingly easy considering the fire. Very little deadfall but I'd assume that will change.

Got to the end of E+L trail, and headed south along Ash Creek Ridge. Only saw one group of dirt bikes up there. Easy going except for the couple of grunt climbs up to high points. Once back to the E+L junction, I started back down towards the car, but decided it's hard to justify the trip out there for just ~9 miles, so I headed down Venezia trail. It was fine, but obvious it sees mostly dirt bike traffic. Started hearing gunfire just before dropping to Senator Hwy, was worried I was entering the crossfire but they were across the road and (presumably) shooting in the opposite direction. Didn't see any vehicles along Senator (other than a mid-sized Toyota SUV that didn't look like it had the capabilities to be in such a place, and was probably abandoned after they realized it).

Cool area overall, but now I'm kinda bummed I didn't get to see Ash Creek before the fire.

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1 archive

Aug 01 2021

RoadrunnerAZ

Routes 105
Triplogs 105

52 male

Joined Nov 14 2014
Phoenix, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Aug 01 2021
		RoadrunnerAZ • Triplogs 105

Hiking	4.23 Miles	987 AEG

Hiking	4.23 Miles	3 Hrs 38 Mns	1.41 mph
	987 ft AEG	38 Mns Break

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Venezia Trail #381

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

We started at E Cross L trailhead where we were the only car - in fact we didn't meet anyone else during our hike. E Cross L is quite overgrown and easy to lose especially at the higher elevations. We followed it as best we could to the intersection with the Venezia Trail which we took down to the Senator Highway. Venezia Trail is in much better shape compared to the E Cross L trail and easy to follow and then we closed the loop be hiking along Senator highway back to the trailhead.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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Jul 18 2015

chumley

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

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Collins Venezia Senator ExL Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jul 18 2015
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	16.34 Miles	3,403 AEG

Hiking	16.34 Miles	7 Hrs 28 Mns	2.81 mph
	3,403 ft AEG	1 Hour 39 Mns Break

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John9L

The_Eagle

Bruce hadn't hiked the 1.5 mile Venezia trail and somehow we hiked 17 miles looking for it.

It was humid, but generally pleasant, mostly cloudy, and rain free. 9L got caught up in the poison ivy, and missed the waterfalls and swimming hole at the spring.

After a few detours we decided to cut a corner off the top of the route, and it resulted in a short but steep bushwhack from the top of Collins down to the Senator Highway. It wasn't at all prickly, so it was a worthwhile shortcut.

Venezia is a great trail and especially nice in cloudy or cooler weather. E Cross L is overgrown but can be followed if attentive. The GPS track helps. Collins is a pleasure. The road hike is great on Senator. Crooks Canyon is quite scenic. The hike on FR82 is not great, but the views make up for it. We missed the turn for 281, but once found, it was a really nice climb to the top of the ridge.

Notes: the Elouise Trail #306 doesn't exist ... at least if it does it's on well-marked private property. Don't plan a trip on that one.
HAZ lists the E Cross L Trail. One sign has it as E & L. The sign near Palace Station has it as E+L. So there's that.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Teva

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Grave - Identified Graveyard

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Palace Station

_____________________

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

Jul 18 2015

The_Eagle

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

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Crooks Canyon - Ash Creek Canyon Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jul 18 2015
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	16.88 Miles	3,392 AEG

Hiking	16.88 Miles	7 Hrs 29 Mns		2.74 mph
	3,392 ft AEG	1 Hour 19 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Collins Trail #282

E Cross L Trail #281

Venezia Trail #381

Senator Highway - Crown King to Prescott

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chumley

John9L

With a 70% chance of Rain, we were all ready to get soaked on the day. Only problem, Ma Nature just decided to crank up the humidity a bit. Chums wanted to try the area Joe and I had been to before and I wanted to click off the Venezia Trail and search south of Palace Station on FR82 and Crooks Canyon.

I showed the guys Palace Station, the Palace Station Cemetery and headed down tree covered Crooks Canyon. Nice area w/ lots of camping opportunities. I still need to head further south in the future. The Elouise Mine area was posted "No Tresspassing", but it didn't appear that anyone had driven up there in quite some time.

We made a turn to the west, past the Bodie Mine area. At this point we were climbing and out of the trees, so none of us felt the urge to hike down to the area.

After 9L had us pass up the Collins Trail, we back tracked to get back on this single track.

Up the E Cross L now, it climbs steadily for 3 miles, up 1300', to an old forest road. Once at the top, we opted to cut a couple of road miles off by scrambling down a "steepish" slope to the Senator.

The Venezia trail does offer some pretty views as it climbs 400' up from the Senator to meet the E Cross L Trail. Anyone hiking the E Cross L trail, should either hike it, ending at the TH by Palace Station, or take the official GPS Track. The lower sections are overgrown and it's easy to see where Joe and I got offtrack last time here.

Temps for the most part were 75 - 80 with scattered clouds, so it made it real nice for hiking. Good company, good conversation, fun times.

Thanks for driving Mr. Chums

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Spence Spring	Dry	Dry
	Nothing in the spring box. Pools in Crooks creek though.

	Starlight Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Dry at the Senator Highway

	White Well	26-50% full	26-50% full
	Water in the well, as well as trash from idiots. Crooks Creek offers plenty of filtering opportunities

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Jul 18 2015

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Collins Venezia Senator ExL Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jul 18 2015
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	16.34 Miles	3,403 AEG

Hiking	16.34 Miles	7 Hrs 28 Mns	2.81 mph
	3,403 ft AEG	1 Hour 39 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

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chumley

The_Eagle

I got together with Chumley and The Eagle for a hike in the Bradshaws. We drove up on Saturday morning and started hiking making a clockwise loop. The first few miles were along road and went by fairly quickly. We explored some of the features of the area and continued our hike. We eventually left the road and hiked through a wooded section. There were some cool old buildings along the way. It must have been a cool place to live back in the day. This was a nice hike and I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this area.

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Aug 02 2014

The_Eagle

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

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

E Cross L #281 Loop w/ Palace Station Cem., AZ

Hiking		Aug 02 2014
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	12.20 Miles	2,582 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	5 Hrs 45 Mns		2.44 mph
	2,582 ft AEG	45 Mns Break	16 LBS Pack

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E Cross L Trail #281

Collins Trail #282

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joebartels

Hike one of two on the day.

Exploring new areas in the Bradshaw's, and this one was a gem!

Access from Mayer is on super smooth and recently graded FR67 for 12 miles to get to the Senator Highway intersection (FR52). Then 4 miles on the Senator Highway to get to the historic Palace Station area was high clearance.

Forecast for the day was 70's with a 90% chance of rain.

I'd done some sleuthing prior to the hike to get some ideas on what was around the area.

Plans for the day was to Check Out

2 new seldom traveled trails, under tree canopy.

Historic Palace Station

Palace Station Cemetery

Ruins of the Venezia Town & Mil area and 2 more graves.

We parked by Palace Station, just off the road, not knowing there was parking for 10+ cars at the TH.

We checked out the Palace Cemetery area first and then from the exterior, the Palace Station building, one of the oldest in the state (1877). Access is not allowed and is now a Forest Service building and is manned.

The worst trail finding all day long, was close to the South Eastern TH. This goes through a burn zone from a fire in 2007 or 2008. After this, it was clear sailing with no trail finding issues. The trail is undercover for most of the way. There are remnants of bygone mining days along the way. We passed an old cast iron stove and other household items. A car or mining implement frame with a straight six engine was nearby.

We headed down the Collins #282 for a bit to check out the first of two structures I'd seen on Satellite. It appeared to be an old storage building. There were other building footings in the area.

[ youtube video ]

Next we mad the turn and headed toward the northern TH. We stopped and checked out the other building which appeared to be Mobile home like in size and shape, with no indications that it'd been one.

It seems like almost all the hikes I've been on recently was loaded with sign of bear. This hike had the occasional deer prints and the squirrels were quite active, but that was about it. So I was shocked when Joe yells (no too loud) BEAR!. Up on the hillside, and climbing swiftly, was a Momma and her cub, probably 75 yards away. I was only able to get off 1 discernible photo. But finally, my first bear sighting while hiking!

We continued up the incline to the Northern TH. Beautiful forest everywhere.

We hopped on FS70

81

FR52B

FR52. Next stop the Venenzia townsite ruins.

We got rained on just a bit on the walk and then while at the Site, the sky opened up and lightning crackled around us. Didn't look too long for the other two graves in the area and also cancelled the other trail we were going to go on. It would have taken us up higher (closer to the Lightning). Should have gone because 10 minutes later we walked out of the storm and the road was even dry. Oh well, another reason to go back.

I really enjoyed this trail... and the Bear encounter made it even more memorable!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Black Bear

	White Well	1-25% full	1-25% full
	Water could be seen at the bottom. Not sure how deep.

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Aug 02 2014

joebartels

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

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

E Cross L #281 Loop w/ Palace Station Cem., AZ

Hiking		Aug 02 2014
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	12.20 Miles	2,582 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	5 Hrs 45 Mns		2.44 mph
	2,582 ft AEG	45 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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E Cross L Trail #281

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The_Eagle

Bruce covered it well. I'll add this was better than anticipated, lots of tree cover. Boxelders lead to Blue Spruce... need I say more

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Blue Spruce Boxelder

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Informational/Interpretive Sign Trail Signs and Markings

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- joe

Jul 12 2010

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Jul 12 2010
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	7.50 Miles	1,800 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles
	1,800 ft AEG

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	Billiam	ryan321
	Tgsands

The Sands family hike-athon continued on Monday. With a forecasted high of 95 in Prescott, I knew it was going to be hot!!! My dad, my uncle Bill, my brother Ryan, and I headed into the Bradshaws. Ryan, who had recently received his learner's permit, was faced with passing both a propane tanker truck and an 18 wheeler tractor trailer on the steep, one lane Senator Highway. He succeeds.

A bit later, we locate the trailhead, park, and begin the short hike along FR 70 to the E Cross L Trailhead. It is quite warm, and humid. We descend into the scenic confines of Ash Creek Canyon through a forest of ponderosa and gambel oak, spotting a few deer along the way. Soon the lush character of the creek bottom begins to show. Huge thickets of healthy lupines and columbines carpet the creek bed, which itself has a gentle flow of water and a few little pools. Very pretty! I dunk my shirt in the creek to cool off, and we break for lunch in the shade of ponderosas. Continuing on, we pass an old bathtub. We sit inside it for a photo op. The trail reaches the end of the Ash Creek stretch near an old barn, which we stop to investigate. It's hot now, at 90+ degrees, and we begin a 1000 foot, mostly shadeless climb to a saddle on Ash Creek Ridge, where the unmarked Venezia Trail joins the E Cross L.

From the saddle, we decide to follow Ash Creek Ridge back to our car, following the steep and rough route of Forest Road 70 (which no longer connects with the saddle, as the Forest Service blocked the lower end of the road with bulldozer mounds). The temps ease up on Ash Creek Ridge, and we enjoy fine views of the eastern and southern Bradshaws from breaks in the forest. We pass plenty of bluish tinged white firs as we approach our car in the soft, late afternoon light. Back in Prescott, I buy us a round of Gatorades.

Our hike was tough due to the July heat, but all in all, it was a great hike on a very scenic and well maintained trail. I'll likely do it again.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Golden-Beard Penstemon

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Jul 15 2009

MEWhiteman

Guides 47
Routes 96
Photos 850
Triplogs 385

81 male

Joined Dec 24 2005
Phoenix, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

E Cross L Trail #281

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Jul 15 2009
		MEWhiteman • Triplogs 385

Hiking	4.60 Miles	995 AEG

Hiking	4.60 Miles	2 Hrs 45 Mns	1.67 mph
	995 ft AEG

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We planned to hike Trail #281 according to Abe's description. However, when we hiked it in July 2009, the trail from FR52 to the junction with #381 and FR70 on the ridge was extremely difficult to find and follow. The trailhead was fine, but the trail became very overgrown with thorny brush. We couldn't see the trail on the ground due to the brush and a past fire and the ribbons which were noticeable early on the hike mostly disappeared. I would not recommend this part of the hike until trail work has been done.

At this point we decided to change our plan and hiked out to FR52 via Trail #381, the Venezia Trail, and then back to the car via FR52. This made a nice 4.5 mile loop. Trail #381 was much cleaner and easier to follow and was obviously more frequently used by hikers and bikers. For those wanting to do the E Cross L loop as Abe describes, I'd recommend using trail #381 to reach Ash Creek Ridge. There is limited parking though.

Getting to the trailhead was an adventure too. We came up from Phoenix and took County Rt 177 from Mayer to Goodwin, then FR52 to the trailhead which appeared to be shortest in distance for us. It was about 14.8 miles on unpaved road, with the section between Goodwin and the trail being especially rough. A high clearance 4WD is needed on this latter section. It took us 1.5 hours from Mayer. We returned via Prescott, and the route to/from Prescott, Senator Highway/FR52, is better (though longer for hikers from the Valley). It is only 9.4 miles unpaved and the rough sections weren't as bad as the southern route.

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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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