JF/Fish Creek Loop Nov 8-9

[nonot]

We'll take JF Trail to Tortilla Pass, down Rogers to overnight near Angel Basin. The next morning we'll take Frog Tanks to Fish Creek, take the creekbed off-trail back to the car.

Maybe a gander at Miller Grave, or the lost dutchman mine jr on the first day. Second day we'll have our plate full with fish creek.

Depending on the mood and ability of the group we can either start and end from Tortilla Ranch or do the full upper fish creek all the way to the Apache Trail.

[SuperstitionGuy]

If you would like I will meet you at the bridge at the last day and return you to your vehicles. Just let me know... :PMIC:

[rally_toad]

Regarding meeting time. The later is better for me. Maybe around 10:00 that gives me time to get back from Lost dutch in the morning and get ready before meeting you guys.

[te_wa]

10:00?!
steve doesnt even wake up till 11:00!


about trasnpo- we will likely drive to tortilla ranch to shave off 3 miles so if you have a 4x4 that can take us to our vehicle, thats great. Otherwise, we may have to hike out of FC via Lost Dutch canyon? thats fine with me too, since I havent been out that way.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Sorry but I do not have an off road vehicle and can only transport you from the Fish Creek Bridge back to the beginning of the Tortilla Ranch road.
But I can hike in and pick up a vehicle if you let me know the vehicle plate # and where your going to hide the key.

[rally_toad]

So exactly how many miles would it add to the hike walking the SR-88 and Tortilla Road back to the car vs getting a ride back?

[SuperstitionGuy]

So exactly how many miles would it add to the hike walking the SR-88 and Tortilla Road back to the car vs getting a ride back?

It's approximately three miles from the Tortilla Trailhead to the parking area beyond the Ranch. I don't know the distance from the Bridge to the Trailhead but I can transport you at least that far.

Also it's possible to ride the Tortilla Ranch service road with mtn bikes to retreive your vehicle(s).

[nonot]

If we bring one car we would park at Tortilla TH and walk to road to the ranch the first day and walk up AT the last day, it's only about an hour the first day and 40 minutes the last day. If someone wants to bring a bike, more power to them. Else,
If we bring 2 4x4s we could set up a shuttle. I have done part of Fish creek above the bridge but only a mile or so. I want to do the whole thing.

I was thinking an 8AM rendezvous time in east Mesa, which would put us near LDSP around 8:30 or so. We could simply pick you up right at the entrance rd intersection with Apache Trail. No need to spend hours driving back and forth.

[rally_toad]

Well the problem with picking me up in LDSP is I wouldnt have a ride home, and I dont want to make you guys go out of your way to pick drop me off at home.

Let me try and work it out with my friends. I was planning on driving to LDSP with all my friends and then driving them all home on saturday morning. I might be able to get another person to drive there, or just take 2 cars and I can ditch my car at Lost Dutch for the night. I'll work something out. But like I said before later is better for me.

I guess the easiest thing to do is just start walking the road back, and try to hitch a ride if we want to. Im sure some hot ladies will stop and offer me a ride, not soo sure about the rest of you though.

[te_wa]

i would like to propose we camp at that nice spot w/ a fire ring that was in the canyon just before the frog tanks trail splits to the east. looks like it could be around 33.4801-111.2178 and if we stay there, it will be an early start to the second day's long hike (long by difficulty/time not mileage). From what I remember there was a nice large pool of water just beyond the Frog tanks trail junction when wally and I missed the turn and hiked downstream. if there's water in the super-shallow creekbed @ angel basin there almost has to be water here, id think. I think that Wally and I both take our trucks - I'll be willing to park at the bridge and drive it back to tortilla ranch site on day 2. beats walking a road, and beats having to depend on someone else. Even if they are by all means happy to help. im all for steve's plan to hike the length of f.c. without bailing into LD canyon.
see you @ steve's house around 8am as suggested. mike

[SuperstitionGuy]

I know the campsite your referring to te-wa and I do recommend it. Also I have always found water at the junction of these two canyons and would be very surprised if there wasn't. Either way there will be water downsteam at the pool you referenced but you will want to filter it.

I will be at the bridge all day Sunday afternoon beginning about 12 noon. I will hang a yellow "caution" tape from the bridge to let you know that I am still there. If you don't see me just give a hollar as I will be picking up trash somewhere within sound of the bridge. I used do to that on a regular basis when I lived in Arizona and it is need of a good cleanup after all these years of my being away. Walk under the bridge and hike out on the west side of the canyon up to the parking area on the west side of the bridge. I will be driving a faded out silver 1999 Ford Windstar van with Arizona license plate # 673-FVK. I will need to know from the first of your party that comes out who else to expect and when, so I inadvertently don't leave anyone stranded behind. I will transport you all up to the Tortilla Trailhead as necessary until your all out.

In the past many people have assisted me on my treks into and out of the sups. This is just my way to pay back.... :bigth:

[rally_toad]

Ok I got someone else to drive to LDSP, so I will just meet you guys at 8:30 at the LDSP.
My phone number is (480)299-6005. So give me a call if you dont see me or your a few minutes early.

[nonot]

OK, I like the plan:

My place, Saturday @ 8AM
Pick up rally_toad @ 8:30 somewhere between the gate into LDSP and the Apache Trail
Set up the shuttle and hopefully be hiking by 9:15 or so.

First day: JF Trail, hopefully finding Lost Dutchman mine Jr. for those that are interested. Up and over on Roger's canyon. Depending on time people may have time to scope out the ruins. Then continue on Frog Tanks, hopefully make it to the spot te-wa mentions...though I'm trying to remember if it is at the top of the slog up that wretched hill. I think that will put us around 9-10 miles.
Second day: Fish creek back to Apache Trail. Looks like 6-7 miles. Retrieve the shuttle, talk to SupesGuy if he's around.

If anyone else joins by Friday I'll PM you with the details.

[te_wa]

the spot is near the creekbed of rogers canyon on the west side, on a bench about 6' above the creek. wasnt a large spot but surely room for 3 tents and a hammock. I remember seeing the bighorn very close to that spot last time we went thru - I made a mental note to camp there someday. guess this could be my day... : king :

[SuperstitionGuy]

I will be at the bridge all day Sunday afternoon beginning about 12 noon. I will hang a yellow "caution" tape from the bridge to let you know that I am still there. If you don't see me just give a hollar as I will be picking up trash somewhere within sound of the bridge. I used do to that on a regular basis when I lived in Arizona and it is need of a good cleanup after all these years of my being away. Walk under the bridge and hike out on the west side of the canyon up to the parking area on the west side of the bridge. I will be driving a faded out silver 1999 Ford Windstar van with Arizona license plate # 673-FVK. I will need to know from the first of your party that comes out who else to expect and when, so I inadvertently don't leave anyone stranded behind. I will transport you all up to the Tortilla Trailhead as necessary until your all out.

In the past many people have assisted me on my treks into and out of the sups. This is just my way to pay back.... :bigth:

Confirming that I will be there on Sunday afternoon. Does squirrelock Holmes require a resupply of nuts?? :GB:

[te_wa]

i will have everything I need. thanks anyway.