Powers Garden, oct. 25-26th

[te_wa]

Ive wanted to hike into Powers Garden my entire life- ok, for a few years at least. I would like to head up Friday afternoon and camp near the trailhead, then Saturday we take the Corral Canyon trail about 10 miles to Powers Garden. We will hike past Kennedy Saddle and a running spring. The fun begins when we hike 1-1.5 miles through Rattlesnake Canyon. There is a trail in Rattlesnake, but the yearly flash floods make it hard to find and it may be best just to stay in the creekbed. (think: fish creek)
Lets camp near the Power's cabin- if we can make it that far. There is a spring in the drainage just up canyon from the Garden proper. My source (thanks, Letty) says it may be drier in October but there are pools and small springs to be found along the way. By that record, Im going to take a safe route and carry a few quarts at a time.

This hike will complete the loop by taking the Tortilla Trail on Sunday will have us dropping into Sycamore Canyon. There are a couple of springs on the way. Return to the valley Sunday evening.

this hike is not for the timid, it has moderate route finding and off-trail skills needed to reach Powers Cabin. There is substantial elevation gains on both days. See the Powers Cabin hike and the Powers Garden hike for details. Get in on this one, its like the Reavis Ranch of the south but with less people, better scenery. and more wildlife, im sure.

[deserttarheel]

Offsite, there is a description of our route on toddshikingguide under East Divide Loop, Galiuro Mountain Wilderness. This is the only only description I can find There is, of course, a description of our exit route posted on this site by whereveriroam under "Powers Garden," who did this as an out and back if I am reading it correctly. There is also a description of the West Divide Loop -- Galiuro Mountains posted by redroxx44, which overlaps a small portion of our route in Rattlesnake Canyon. I'm sure everyone has looked at these. Hope this helps.

[big_load]

Just in case you change the approach, please be aware the trail from the Deer Creek TH does not follow the route indicated by TOPO!.

[wallyfrack]

I better go just to keep you guys out of trouble.

[RedRoxx44]

The Galiuros are not that mysterious. If you refer to the "Hiking Arizona's Cactus Country" guide-- A falcon guide, of all things--- hikes 34 and 35 are trips to the Power Garden area via the Deer Creek TH--one via the Tortilla trail and the other via Kennedy Peak/Corral Canyon. Part of the Tortilla trail has been rerouted via a rancher in the area and does not follow TOPO but the trail is easily followed. Also word has it that both these trails received some maintenance this past year. So they should be freeways. Those of you used to hiking in the Supes some of the outerlying trails this should be no problem. The main adventure is the drive in

[big_load]

The main adventure is the drive in

That's for sure. When I left the car as close to the TH as it was going to get, the thought running through my mind was "At least it will be four days until I have to try that again". Also, I don't mean to overstate the route-finding difficulty. The trail was beyond easy to follow, but going the opposite way around the mountain was quite a surprise.

[Sredfield]

I have .tpg file of that troublesome route out. If anyone wants it I'll forward it, send me an email address that will accept attachments. I haven't converted it to anything my gps can read.

[deserttarheel]

I have .tpg file of that troublesome route out. If anyone wants it I'll forward it, send me an email address that will accept attachments. I haven't converted it to anything my gps can read.

Whatever a .tpg file is, please email it to me: steve@stevewallin.com

[azdesertfather]

I better go just to keep you guys out of trouble.

Hey wally, dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it! ;) Sorry I'll miss this one, I'm supposed to be up in Navajo country that weekend. Maybe I'll get some of them to bring be back into some good areas on a hike or two while I'm up there!!

[RedRoxx44]

Looks like I am out. TIme off granted so I am looking at a 40+ in the GIla Wilderness. Please someone check on Holdout Spring status if you have time. It's about a mile up Rattlesnake canyon where it makes the turn as the trail goes over the top into Keilberg on the way to the cabin shootout site. Logbook notes indicate the spring has been "trashed" ---I haven't seen it in a year or so. It's signed a short use trail off the main trail ( which is sort of a bushwack in spots).
Water should be ok for you guys--if you need water at Corral and it isn't in the stream bed at the wall just climb around and go upstream--should be pools. Also some rock bound "bowls" down Corral canyon which should have some water.
There are some little gullies you cross on the East Divide on the way to Kennedy which can have some water at times too.

If the cabin area at the Garden is occupied with horse packers/hunters a nice area is up the hill in the trees above the gully the spring is in. I've camped there several times, you'll pass that area just off the trail right before it goes downhill to the garden area.

Horse Canyon can contain some pools lower down, too early in the hike out to be of help. Sycamore near the tanks can have water, but I've seen it dry, dry dry. Downcanyon is a little catchbasin for a spring. Mud Spring is pretty reliable but you're near the cars at that point.

Have fun, was looking forward to meeting some of you guys. Maybe another time.

[big_load]

I'll be staying tuned on the status of Holdout Spring. I really want to have another crack at looping around to Kennedy. I also wondered about the feasibility of reaching the Garden in two days from the TH for Bassett Peak. Has anyone tried that?

[RedRoxx44]

I did a big loop finishing all the "known" trails in the Galiuros about a year or so ago by Jackson Cabin- Redfield, the divide, Kielberg, Rattlesnake then East Divide to Bassett then down to the cabin. I did part of the trek from a campsite in upper end Rattlesnake to the Jeep along the East Divide in two days. While farther to the garden should be doable with an early start. There is a small spring off Sunset peak, don't know about reliability. I did it with a pretty good snow fall on the upper elevations and had to break trail with snow at time up to my knees. So I was slow. Will be some bushwacking around Sunset peak.

[big_load]

Thanks for the info, it doesn't sound like an unreasonable goal.

Will be some bushwacking around Sunset peak

I saw the trail heading north on the ridge from Bassett. It's not on my map, but I assumed it headed to Sunset and perhaps beyond. Would you recommend going down Sunset Canyon, Redfield Canyon, or continue on to where the trail from High Creek crosses the ridge?

[RedRoxx44]

If you want a big loop stay up on East Divide to Sunset, then onto trail connector from High Creek, which will take you to a trail sign dropping you into head of Rattlesnake canyon, or continue on East Divide to Kennedy Peak. Sign says about 8 miles to Bassett at that junction, who knows if it is correct. From Rattlesnake to the Garden, or just go by mine and cabin, continue over the divide ( that section is not on the map either but is on the ground) to Cedar Flat, a great area with usually a little water in wet times. Great camp spot, then on down to Redfield, go by Hooker cabin, camp at Jackson cabin, the up the redone trail to Bassett and back to your car. That'd be a great trip, a nice tour of the southern range. Water in Redfield usually near Hooker cabin, and a spring at Jackson cabin. Oh, and water usually at the Keilberg tank, and there is a small hard to get to spring near Long Tom cabins.

[big_load]

Thanks, that sounds like an excellent trip! I wish I could start tomorrow, but it won't be too much longer.

[te_wa]

2 weeks until the big party... does everyone in attendance feel we should meet in a location in central Mesa, and carpool if applicable from there?
Wally lives near Higley and US60- possible to park cars at your house Wally?

again, we will be leaving sometime Friday evening on the 24th. Drive to Deer Creek t/h and camp with a relaxed morning start. I'll be in touch...

[wallyfrack]

There would be no problem parking cars at my house. If there's a better place to meet I'm good with that too.

[tahoemike]

Hi All!! Looks like I made it back from the wilds of Canada in good shape. Only managed 1800 miles of the PCT, but hey, there's always next year. And lookin' for a hike! I don't hit town until the 19th, so maybe I'll be a little squeezed for this one, but it sounds fun.

[rally_toad]

Im fine with meeting wherever, just let me know a place and a time, I dunno where would be the most convenient place for everyone to meet (I guess that depends what driving route we're taking to get there).

[nonot]

Congrats TahoeMike

[rally_toad]

Any news on what time we were planning on leaving friday? My friend Andrew is interested in joining us, but he doesnt get off work until 330.