HikeArizona.COM

On Monday I hiked "Towel Creek Ruins Wst Access" and made a GPS track that goes to the ruins. Much of the track in is off-trail so I need to edit it, and my laptop is down and out right now so I can't get to it right away. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone thought it would be ethically objectionable to post a GPS route to the ruins? The HAZ hike description (which I think needs some revision) lists the coordinates for the ruins, but I don't want post anything that would be considered unethical. Like I said, I need to edit the track anyway, and I could edit the bushwhack to the ruins out of the track and just post the path of the trail from the TH to the nearest jumping off point to the ruins. Opinions?

I think that if the information is already out there (like in the trail description) it is ethically kosher to post a GPS track.

Well it's in the book Ruins Seldon Seen with a simple map. Although I know some folks get testy over documenting sites on a public forum.

Alston Neal wrote:Well it's in the book Ruins Seldon Seen with a simple map. Although I know some folks get testy over documenting sites on a public forum.

My take on it is if it is in two guides (HAZ would be included in that), on an official map, or promoted by the land management agency, it is fair game to publish because it doesn't take much work to get that information - unless there is some overriding factor. Example - "Pithouse Mesa" in the Painted Desert: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=4200 . It is listed by its real name on several maps, and anyone who asks about it at the land management agency will be told where it is. Due to its incredible and diverse array of artifacts, though, I choose not to reveal its location. In fact, it is one of the few locations where photos I have posted on HAZ have been edited to remove or change features or landmarks that might help identify its precise location. Some might call that elitist, I simply call it protecting the site.
With the BLM's recent change to the status of Moonhouse, I think I'm going to write up a trail description. I never thought I'd consider doing so, but since it has been published in several guide books and now the BLM is increasing protection (and promotion of its location) I feel it would not be "bad" to publish it...What the heck is going on with me, eh?

I'll probably post the GPS route then. The TOPO maps, including the one on my GPS unit, show the Towel Creek Trail, not in it's current accurate form, but well enough to get you in the general vicinity, and from there, the cliff dwellings seem incredibly easy to spot from both the creek bed and the ridge opposing the dwellings.

In regards to the area you're in, my wife and I will attempt once again to locate Dorens Defeat Castle. I figure it's NE of the eastern TH of Towel Creek about 2 miles.
The reason I brought this up was I too wondered if I locate this and it is more than just walls, will I publish it's location?
Hopefully I'll know Sunday. Worst case ......Mexican food in Camp Verde....