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the last trip to Peterson Ranch and up Aztec Peak was such a great time, we have decided to make another trek into the ol' Sierra Ancha (Wide Mountain) wilderness to search for some pristine forests and views.

We start at the Reynolds Creek trail #150 and travel past the wonderful Knoles Hole until we reach the 3.5 mile mark at the Murphy Ranch trail #141. Continuing on we will skirt around the north side of Aztec Peak (which is mis-named, its actually a Mesa) until we reach the junction with the Rim Trail #139. Taking Rim trail North until we reach the terminus at Edward's Spring with good water and nice camp sites. The Edward's spring area has amazing views into the rugged canyons below. The hike in is estimated to be 6.4 miles one way- with water and abundant shade for the most part, in an area that begs exploration. If you have any questions or suggestions, get in here! we're all ears...

If you havent been on a HAZ group hike, now is a great time to sign up!

I've hiked the length of the Moody Point Trail and am ready to test my trail finding/blazing skills again.
That's a great area for exploring or in my case wandering around. I'll be ready!

Sorry I missed the trip last weekend, but dont want to miss it again. Its gota be good if your going twice
Braknstuf

I gotta go this time. I'm tired of missing the good stuff!

Featuring...

te-wa wrote: We start at the Reynolds Creek trail #150 and travel past the wonderful Knoles Hole until we reach the 3.5 mile mark at the Murphy Ranch trail #41. Continuing on we will skirt around the north side of Aztec Peak (which is mis-named, its actually a Mesa) until we reach the junction with the Rim Trail #139. Taking Rim trail North until we reach the terminus at Edward's Spring with good water and nice camp sites. The Edward's spring area has amazing views into the rugged canyons below. The hike in is estimated to be 6.4 miles one way- with water and abundant shade for the most part, in an area that begs exploration. If you have any questions or suggestions, get in here! we're all ears...

Having just returned 6/17 from finding this spot, IF I were going again to backpack in, I would vote for this trail which is a "sure winner". After you get through the 1.3ml hassle of all the downed trees on Tr#41, and a few on the 1.6ml North portion on Rim Tr#139, the pay-off at the Edward Springs campsite/viewpoint at ~6100' is absolutely spectactular and as Mike says the H20 water seep is there for the filtering or water treatment prior to drinking. You will have to move some rocks around the area to set-up adequate, level campsites for your tents, but the sites are there for the making (bring some strong stakes as you are camping on/near a rocky high rim area)... On Rim Tr#139 North, hiking around steep, rugged upper Cold Springs Canyon then to Edward Springs- looking down into more rugged upper Pueblo Canyon, one could enjoy spending a few days in this mini Grand Canyon area just exploring the grand wonder of it all in this scenic, & remote area of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness!...ENJOY & watch-out for tigers, lions, & bears !!

I agree Grasshopper the way you described that area and the way it looked from the top of Aztec "Peak", it sure is nice scenery. Im in ecstasy over the thought of hiking those trails again...
until then, sweet Sierra Ancha dreams... \:D/

This sounds like a fun hike with some good people. Sign me up.

the few hikers that are coming in from the west side can meet at my house to carpool- road is in fantastic shape and is passable with any car. If you live on the far east valley it might be easier to drive through Globe.
I think you guys know where I live.. be here at the usual 8 am?

What happened to my last post...you know...the one where I said I had to bail? Am I being shunned? Geez, I said I was sorry!

Hoffmaster wrote:What happened to my last post...you know...the one where I said I had to bail? Am I being shunned? Geez, I said I was sorry!

I don't think your being shunned. Although nobody's responded until now??? There does seem to be a division between the west side hikers and those of us in the "far east". Maybe there's a little challenge due in the near future.

wallyfarak wrote:There does seem to be a division between the west side hikers and those of us in the "far east". Maybe there's a little challenge due in the near future.

But I live in Mesa!!

Just to explain again...A buddy of mine who is married with kids, has this weekend free of husband/fatherly obligations. We have been talking about going on a fishing trip for about 2 years and now we finally have an opportunity. We are either going to Blue Ridge Reservoir, Knoll Lake or Bear Canyon Lake. We have a small aluminum boat, and we are going to pile all of our camping gear into it and find a cool place to camp somewhere far back along the lake. Hopefully, we'll be slaying trout like they're going out of style. Depending on which lake we're at, I'm hoping to do a little deep water soloing (climbing) and cliff jumping.

Seriously, this is a once in 2 years opportunity. How can you be mad at me for that?

Matt,

I was just joking about a division between the west side and the far east based on te-wa's post.
No need to explain. I have things come up all the time.

Hoffmaster wrote:
Just to explain again...A buddy of mine who is married with kids, has this weekend free of husband/fatherly obligations. We have been talking about going on a fishing trip for about 2 years and now we finally have an opportunity.

What a coincidence! I am married with two kids and I also have this weekend free from "Daddy duties".

Only difference is.........I am going BACKAPCKING. :bigth:

All is good man. See you on the next one. I am moving to VA in late August, so your time is limited to get a last trip in with the elusive rOUx.

Got my "kitchen pass" and will be traveling up to the TH Saturday with a couple of friends. Expect to arrive late morning (got to get a couple of family obligations out of the way early in the morning). See you there!


RANDAL

I'll leave from the far east and get to the TH about 10:30. I'll see you all then.

Ill be over at your house at 8:00, hope to carpool from there if i can.
Eric

Does anyone know what the fire restrictions are for this weekend? Presume gas BBQ's only...

RANDAL

Randal Schulhauser wrote:Does anyone know what the fire restrictions are for this weekend? Presume gas BBQ's only...

RANDAL

Think I found the answer to my own question...

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/news/2007/052107.shtml

Randal Schulhauser wrote:

Randal Schulhauser wrote:Presume gas BBQ's only...

RANDAL

dont say that around me, I'll come after you!
as we all know, BBQ is a sauce, not a method of cooking! :twisted:

(im from N.C. so there!)