|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 4.88 Miles |
523 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.88 Miles | 2 Hrs 12 Mns | | 2.22 mph |
| 523 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Belated post. Last day in Camp Verde and looking for something close to home that wouldn’t take too long. Years ago I hiked in this area with Velva’s father Cliff. This was long before Copper Canyon became a legitimate trailhead. I hadn’t been back since so I was kind of curious to see what the “new digs” looked like. Pretty nice surprise, though maybe not as clear and obvious as I would hope. The trailhead is huge with a bathroom, a somewhat bullet ridden trail map and three gates for what I assumed were for three trails. The most obvious was the northeastern trail gate for the Camp Verde Trail #545. The trail map and carsonite markers lined up nicely. This is an OHV trail (for off road vehicles, as well as hikers, bikers and horses) so it is very wide and easy to follow. The next trail gate was also on the north and just to the west of #545. This was numbered #504 at the trail gate though I couldn’t see a corresponding number on the trail map (probably because of bullet holes). That being said, it did seem to line up with a trail called Copper Falls. The third trail gate was on the south west sign. There were no trail markers at the gate and to be honest the trail map was indeterminate. Based on HAZ trail maps, I’m guessing this would lead to the General Cook Trail. Since this was all new to me, I settled on the middle trail, #504. It looked to be the most concise and shortest of trails.
Got started around 7am. It was pretty chilly out, but the rising sun warmed things right up. I took the middle trail, #504 for about .15 miles where it seemed to split into three different trails. (Side note: after the hike I looked at the map again and I’m fairly certain that 504 and Copper Falls (CF) are the same thing). Oddly, only 1 of the three splits were named. That was the most eastern one, which was a #545 connector. I followed it just to make sure and within .4 miles it connected to the Camp Verde Trail. The connector was wide enough for OHV, but overgrown with catclaw. Returning to the split, I proceeded up the middle trail. This turned out to be a fantastic trail. It had several gradual switchbacks as it made its way to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill you got a nice look at the valley below, a rather sharp shelf which was just below the hill and rimmed the valley and then off to the north you got a glimpse of the I-17 coming down into Camp Verde. The trail dropped down on the north side of hill and then went along the edge of the shelf. Eventually, the trail began to work its way down the slope of the shelf. As the trail reached the bottom it crossed a nicely flowing stream which was an unexpected surprise and a nice bonus. I’m guessing this is a seasonal stream, but it would be nice if it was year round. There is no signage, but I think crossing the stream puts you in the General Cook Trail. The trail is going east-west at this point. I followed the trail east, back towards the TH. Initially, the trail seemed to be a single track, but as I progressed it became more of a road. Somewhat confusing, as the trail changed from a single track to a road I saw another marker with the #504. With the marker being at that spot it makes me wonder whether Copper Falls ends at the stream crossing or at this transition. Little confusing. It would seem simpler to keep the track going up the canyon one trail. The General Cook Trail. As I neared the TH, there were a few splits in the trail, most not named. Little more exploring next time might clear things up a bit.
Real awesome trail. It was short, easy to get to, offered some nice views, had a water feature and played nicely with the landscape. Prescott NF and Camp Verde did a real nice job when designing this trail. No wildlife, (except cows) and didn’t encounter anyone on the trail, though I saw quite a few people in the distance. A neat little accessible gem! |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
, I want to acknowledge that they are actively trying to add trails to their city and they should be given credit for that. I also want to say that it is not easy to a create a system of trails in an area that has been actively used for years by bikers, hikers and off roaders long before Paloma Park was developed. That being said Peoria struggles mightily in making comprehensive trails. Biscuit Flats in no exception. Biscuit Flats takes off from the East Wing TH which is adjacent to Sonoran Mountain Ranch Park. At the TH, they have a nice map of the trail system that seems to give a nice representation of the Biscuit Flat Trail. The map shows Biscuit Flats (BF) being a loop with two spurs. Unfortunately, their trail signage does not corroborate their trail maps. There is no signage when you leave the TH that you are on BF. So you are not really sure that you are on BF until you reach the circle. Maybe they feel it is self evident. Even worse, as you are doing the circle CC there is a sharp turn that is not signed that needs to be. The trail goes from a road like trail to a much fainter trail with this turn without any signage. Without the signage telling you to turn, you are inclined to continue down the road you are hiking. Another problem, the map has the Burro Range Trail beginning from the NE edge of the Biscuit Flat circle. When doing the hike the Burro Range Trail actually starts from the NW edge of the Biscuit Flat circle. I realize this is a city park and it’s unlikely anyone is going to get lost or suffer any serious harm, but these are glaring mistakes and with a little effort could easily be fixed. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
Another road had veered in from the west just prior to this marker. I decided to follow this road back towards the TH. Eventually came to a trail sign that said New River Trail north/south and Biscuit Flats to the east. I took this BF spur back to the BF circle (loop) and decided to follow the loop clockwise in hopes of seeing where I missed the turn. About .6 miles later I was back to where I had “missed” my turn. Nope. No marker at this spot. I kind of wandered around this area just to be sure the trail (and missing marker) didn’t turn at some other point. I didn’t see anything in my wandering. Feeling very exasperated I headed back towards the TH. I didn’t do the loop and therefore unable to do the description that I had hoped for, but I now have a much better idea how this trail behaves….. for next time.
No comment. Surprisingly buggy this morning. I wasn’t expecting that. Decent variety of wildlife. A lot of lizards, good size chipmunk, some quail, my first snake of the year (just a garter) and a hawk perched on a dead tree viewing its domain.
…..and my wife does not. So going CCW we quickly finished that leg of the Bajada, briefly connected to Goat Camp before hiking “down” South Trail. As we neared the end of South Trail, I realized that my estimation was going to be off. We were just approaching two miles and still had the Mule Deer and the rest of the Bajada to do. I was annoyed with myself for this miscalculation…as was my wife. She actually thinks I do this deliberately. 
and that the Gold Ridge was a 
. 
