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| Hiking | 3.70 Miles |
1,200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.70 Miles | 2 Hrs | | 1.93 mph |
| 1,200 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | 6 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I'm bringing a group camping to the Turney Gulch Campground soon. I have found very little info online so I thought I'd go check it out and today was the day!
Horsethief Basin is a bit off the beaten path, to say the least. I drive a prius so 34 miles of dirt road that is mostly recommended for 'high-clearance vehicles only' is not something I do every day. The road however was fine. There were a few dicey spots but, for the most part, moving slow did the trick and my car made it unscathed. Hopefully, it will make the subsequent trip as easily.
If you do this journey, be sure to allow PLENTY of time for the drive. Even if your vehicle is made to handle the road, it is narrow in many spots (1 lane) and there are quite a few blind turns so it's important to take it slow.
I want to be sure to take my campers on a hike, of course, and Horsethief Canyon Trail #30 seemed like it might be a good fit.
Directions that I found to the trailhead said to "drive" on to 52F but you'll see from the pics that the road is not really usable so it's best to park near the playground from the campground.
Finding the trailhead alone was a little bit of an adventure but with a little persistence and faith, it did turn up.
The trail is not maintained and is a little overgrown but thanks to the many cairns marking the trail, I was able to find my way without too much difficulty.
There were oodles of lizards & birds. Bees kept me company the entire way. Other than a few squirrels, no other animals of note. There were a few interesting tracks found in the mud, however.
The views in the Castle Creek Wilderness were spectacular despite, and at times, because of the forest fire that overtook that area.
Cairns were apparently a little more noticeable on the way in than on the way out. I lost the trail briefly once or twice on the way back out. A litle looking around got me right back on track. My advice? be sure to stope and look around frequently! It makes a big difference in finding your way home.  |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Thank Heavens those rattles are LOUD! I can't believe I heard it through my earbuds. Just off the left side of the trail was a little 4-5 ft rattle snake, all poised and ready to strike. I froze (and screamed a little, I'm sure). I slowly backed a smidge away and watched as the snake decided there was a different way he could travel as well. After a few minutes, he had disappeared under a little palo verde tree. *whew!* 
