Winter trip, So. Arizona

[goodtimes]

While planning a backpacking trip, I noticed some roads that I want to go check out sometime. No solid plan yet, not sure what condition the trails will be in (although I expect them to be pretty mild), not even sure when it will happen, other than after it cools off. Likely this will be a 2 day/1 night trip. The general area will be due north of Aravaipa Canyon, access from the east...I don't see access from the west side.

Does anyone know of any access issues with this area? Ever been there? Anyone want to go? There is no real destination, as I don't know what is out there...which is why I want to go.....

[datrupr]

GT, Though I can not answer your access questions, I would like to go. Let me know when and I'll see if I can make it.

[bluerunner]

GT- I also am interested in going! :ylsmoke:

[ShottsCruisers]

While planning a backpacking trip, I noticed some roads that I want to go check out sometime. No solid plan yet, not sure what condition the trails will be in (although I expect them to be pretty mild), not even sure when it will happen, other than after it cools off. Likely this will be a 2 day/1 night trip. The general area will be due north of Aravaipa Canyon, access from the east...I don't see access from the west side.

Does anyone know of any access issues with this area? Ever been there? Anyone want to go? There is no real destination, as I don't know what is out there...which is why I want to go.....

The Rug Road from Copper Creek to Klondyke is the only trail over the mountains buddy!

[Ursidae69]

The Rug Road from Copper Creek to Klondyke is the only trail over the mountains buddy!

It's a great road too. From the east some of the road has been hit with a blade and made easier, but whoever it was must have ran out of money. The rug climb is a an adventure to say the least!

[Scott Brady]

I might be in for this... It will depend on a few things for work, as I cant make a conflict for Baja.

[goodtimes]

Where is the east end of Rug Road? The trail I am looking at starts in Aravaipa canyon (east of the actual steep walled canyon), and heads north ~2.5 clicks, turns west in Arizona Gulch, north along Deer Creek, west again across Booger Canyon and Horse Camp Canyon, then north to Ash Canyon, it doesn't continue east from there. The USGS 7.5' quad doesn't show an exit to the west...gotta go back out the way you came in.

***oops....I may see why I can't see.......Booger Canyon quad (east entrance to Aravaipa) was field checked in '72, Brandeburg (west entrance), was checked in '49.....so if Rug Road was cut between '49 and '72, this may be what I am looking at. Or, I could be looking at a bunch of roads that no longer exist....guess I'll have to go see, won't I?

[Scott Brady]

You know another one that would be interesting to investigate, is from Mammoth to I70. From the other side of Copper Creek (Sibley Mansion) the trail continues, and on the topos show it connecting to I70, 33 miles away :D

[goodtimes]

I have seen that on the maps.....but never saw a trail heading east from Sibly Mansion, although I must admit I never specifically looked for it either.....

[awalter]

I have seen that on the maps.....but never saw a trail heading east from Sibly Mansion, although I must admit I never specifically looked for it either.....

There was a track heading out past the warehouse ruins. Maybe?

[Scott Brady]

Al,

That is the one. It would be quite the exploration, and VERY remote :luxhello:

[Ursidae69]

Hey GT, just email Brian, he'll know, he led the trip I was on in 2003.

[Jasonazx]

I might be in for this one as well! :wavey:

[Brian McVickers]

GT -
Have you picked out specific dates for this one?
I would like to go along but the dates will ultimately determine.
Thanks
Brian

[goodtimes]

No, I haven't picked out dates yet. My schedule is still kind of screwy at work. Right now I am scheduled to work every weekend from now until eternity. I am working on getting that changed so I have a weekend off once every 50 years or so.....I beat my boss up about it again today. I'll beat him up again on Monday (the next time I see him). Eventually he will get the idea that I am serious....then I will be able to do some actual planning.

[MaddBaggins]

I've packed thru that whole cnyn, from both sides. The area between Horse camp and Virgis is one of the best spots to set up camp. I haven't been in 6 years but we used to always go in Sept so the water would be warm enough for swimming. It's a beautiful cnyn, I've seen Mule deer, Cranes, Racoons, Mtn sheep, ringtails and tons of lizards snakes and Kingfishers in there.
The west side of the cnyn is easy to get to just north of Mammoth, the east side is about 50 miles of dirt road north of Wilcox thru Klondike(easy driving tho)

[CAPTAIN COORS]

linda and i tried to enter the canyon from the east this past summer (05) and ran into a locked gate 10 miles west of Klondike, best to call BLM office in safford,