Hackberry Creek? anyone want to go this week?

[Dragonfly]

I'd like to get out this week, I'm free this Tues. to Fri. If anyone has run this trail and would like to lead let me know. I'm open to other options too such as Martinez cabin, Montana mountain etc., I'm looking to get out and see the wildflowers, and have some fun along the way, so not too difficult a trail....

Let me know what day works if you are interested...:D

Thanks,

Karen

[dcgayhart]

I woudn't mind getting out this week. I haven't been out since I got back from Moab two weeks ago. I have a newbie who wants to ride with me before he takes his new JK out.

Where is Hackberry Creek?

Danny

[Dragonfly]

It's in the Florence Junction area, but I have never been there so I need a trip leader.....or I'm up for any other moderate trails that you know in the area if you can lead....:D

[k7mto]

Actually, it's just east of Superior off of Oak Flats Rd (Oak Flats campground).

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=superior,+az&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=33.309155,-111.051865&spn=0.078186,0.112267&om=1

I wish I could take off during the week and go with you guys. It's a fun trail.

[samdog3]

let,s go

[Dragonfly]

OK it's on for Wednesday....I'll post up a time and meeting place soon...:D

Does anyone know a good place to meet? Isn't there a rest stop around there?

Thanks

[dcgayhart]

I have to come from the west valley so dont make it to early!

[k7mto]

There is a rest stop right in the middle of Superior on the right hand side. Just a small parking lot and a bathroom building amongst all the businesses. Look for the blue Rest Stop signs as you enter town.

Part of the enjoyment of this trip is driving through the canyon/tunnel between Superior and Oak Flats. It's gorgeous.

[Dragonfly]

Ok this is on for Wed. April 25th. Meet at 10 am at the rest stop on the right side of hwy 60 in Superior. Samdog3 will be leading. Please post up if you are going, I will also post on the old site...

Looking forward to a great day!!!!

Karen:D

[Dragonfly]

It is now posted on the old site if you want to sign up...

See you all tomorrow..:D

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I'm in with OhioTJ we'll meet you at 10am..do we need permits?

Jason

[Fire Ball]

Mind if we join up with ya'll? Wife and I would love to get out and see these valleys.

Bill

[k7mto]

..do we need permits?

Jason

According to the AZ land parcel viewer website (select land ownership checkbox and enable the legend)...

http://sco.az.gov/website/parcels/viewer.htm

It looks like the trail crosses BLM and State Trust, so I'd be sure to have your State Trust permit just in case.

[dcgayhart]

Think I'll pass, checked my maps and it's a 3 hour drive out and back to Superior. Have a great time, it should be a beautiful day.

Danny

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Any west siders want to caravan? I'll leave around 8am

Jason

[Dragonfly]

Great...looking forward to wheel'n with everyone!!

[Fire Ball]

Got the locker from $ Wheelers I mean 4 Wheelers, (sorry that is where all my money is going ;) ) and plan to install it this afternoon. Sounds like a great trail to try out some new stuff.

[samdog3]

Glade Your Coming , Jason

[samdog3]

Think I'll pass, checked my maps and it's a 3 hour drive out and back to Superior. Have a great time, it should be a beautiful day.

Danny

THATS OUT AND BACK, IT TAKES MY WIFE THAT LONG JUST TO PUT ON HER MAKE UP, IN THE MORNING

[Dragonfly]

Should be fun....doesn't the wells book say the trail connects up with another so you don't have to go out the same way?

[k7mto]

Should be fun....doesn't the wells book say the trail connects up with another so you don't have to go out the same way?

There is another way out which puts you on Rt 177 a few miles south of Superior, but I've never run it.

Running from Oak Flats, the trail is sort of a figure 8 (or a peanut). The trails meet/cross at the meadow where the 2nd pond is (the one whose dam has failed). From there you can either drive up along the powerline and loop back down Hackberry Creek, or vice versa.

In either case as you reach the southernmost point (where you loop around to head back the way you came in) another trail cuts off to the southwest. This is the trail which leads you out to 177. I've heard there are some steep hills (in the case of heading out this way it would be downhill) but I can't say for sure. On one trip, we ran into a group who'd come in that way as we were making the loop to head back toward Oak flats.

Not sure, but I believe the road on the topos at this location is where you come out on 177... 33° 13.52'N, 111° 4.65'W (WGS84).

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.22531&lon=-111.07752&size=l&u=7&datum=nad83&layer=DRG

[desertdawg]

The Wells book is out dated. A lot has been going on out there as far as mining operations that have closed certain portions.

If you go the way Well's describes, you will run into heavy machinery and drilling rigs and will probably have to turn around.

Instead of going straight on magma mine road make a left at the sign to oak flats campground. You will see the trailhead. Airdown and disco here. Keep following the main dirt road to the right as several lesser roads go to the left. keep going until you see a drilling rig at the top of the hill and a helo pad just before that. Keep going up to the drill rig and squeeze through around the rig and equipment to get back on the trail. They don't mind you going around them. Once your past the rig you will go a short distance before you start your descent down old chevy hill and the rock fin.

The trail is kind of tricky to find at this point, but it curves to the left and passes through an area with white rock. keep following the trail past a wooded area with tall oak trees and make a left across the cattle pond. This will take you up a long steep rocky hill. You used to be able to go straight past the pond and bypass the hill but it has been blocked by the mining ops.

Take your time negotiating up the hill and you will start descending again and down the switch backs. You will see the green valley below.

When you get to the Green valley you have a choice of either catching the trail to the right (west) and proceeding south through Hackberry Creek and loop to the east and left (North) along powerline, or follow the road to the left marked by the windmill and corral which will take you south along the powerline trail.

Don't miss the short side trip to Devil's Canyon! At the windmill you will see a road going east. This road will dead end at the canyon. From there it's a short hike to an awesome view of the canyon. It's worth the extra 15 minutes getting there.

You can then back track and get back on the main powerline trail where the windmill is and turn left and head south. Keep following the trail south and you will eventually come to the obstacle. Or you can take the bypass road which is about 100 yards before the obstacle on your right. Either one will take you up to a point where you want to turn right. Follow the road and you will eventually come to a Y where you can go right and down through hackberry creek or up the hill which will eventually take you out to Highway 177 (approx. 5 miles), where you can go right to Superior or left to Winkleman. This route also has some awesome views of the valley below.

If you continue down Hackberry Creek you will eventually come back out to the green valley and head out the same way you came in.

Hope this helps. Have a great time!:)

[desertdawg]

There is another way out which puts you on Rt 177 a few miles south of Superior, but I've never run it.

Running from Oak Flats, the trail is sort of a figure 8 (or a peanut). The trails meet/cross at the meadow where the 2nd pond is (the one whose dam has failed). From there you can either drive up along the powerline and loop back down Hackberry Creek, or vice versa.

In either case as you reach the southernmost point (where you loop around to head back the way you came in) another trail cuts off to the southwest. This is the trail which leads you out to 177. I've heard there are some steep hills (in the case of heading out this way it would be downhill) but I can't say for sure. On one trip, we ran into a group who'd come in that way as we were making the loop to head back toward Oak flats.

Not sure, but I believe the road on the topos at this location is where you come out on 177... 33° 13.52'N, 111° 4.65'W (WGS84).

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.22531&lon=-111.07752&size=l&u=7&datum=nad83&layer=DRG


There are some steep hills but nothing a stock rig couldn't handle. It's pretty mild. We ran it up hill in the snow last year. That was fun!:D

[Dragonfly]

Thanks for the info...:D

[Fire Ball]

Wife and I will be there at 10 am!

[Fire Ball]

anybody know how long hackbarry trail is? Wife is having 2nd thoughts, she was going to bail but now still wants to go.

[Wind_Danzer]

We took all day. :eek: :D

[Fire Ball]

That doesn't help much, is it an all day trail or did you break that dirty old junk of yours ;)

[Dragonfly]

Hey everyone!!! Thanks so much for coming out and having such a great run, thanks so much to Joe for leading (most of the time ;) , there's nothing like reading directions to navigate a trail!!!:D ;)

I had so much fun, the obstacle was awesome, and good job Bill for making it up!!

It was really nice meeting you all: Jason (speedy gonzales!), Rudy, Bill and Carrie and good seeing you again Joe...:) I'm looking forward to wheel'n with you all again on the upcoming night run to Sunflower and the Turkey creek run...all to be posted soon...

Devil's Canyon was beautiful...what a view, and what a work out..(;) ;) Joe)

We ended up taking the shortcut back to 177, since we were all done for the day, but I am looking forward to going back and doing the whole loop next time, and getting my poser pic done on the obstacle..hint, hint Joe;)

I will post up my pics when I get my old fashioned film developed, and everyone else please post up your pics too!!

What a really cool trail....:)

Karen

[Fire Ball]

Carrie and I had a great time, as usual. One of the best groups we have been with. All rigs pretty close as far as capability and a trail that tested us all. I never dreamed I would make that waterfall with open rear but Joe and the rest did a great job of spotting and we made it up. 6" too far to the right was a BIG rock, and about 12" to the left was, well... carnage flop style.

Gotta get the A/C working soon or I will loose my co pilot.

I'll post pics after a shower and a nap. Yeah I'm getting old.

[desertdawg]

Glad you guys had a good time! It is a great trail isn't it!:)

[samdog3]

I Just Got Back From The Dog Park , So Tired All I Want Is Coffee And Some Pie. We Had A Vary Good Time I Will Post A Night Run
And T Creek After Some Rest ..... To Old For This Ship

Thanks All For Coming Out For Karen
Joe

[k7mto]

I was thinking about you guys out having fun while I was working today. Looking forward to the pics.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I had a great time! What a work out..its been a while since a trail broke me! The hill climb was more challenging than rosegarden@moab and that water fall was pretty insane! Maybe next time we can hit the whole loop,, I know everyone was tired including myself..past the point of tired! Can't wait till next time;)

Jason

Here are some pics I took!

http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/457/4/26/65/2802426650090072657InGmQp_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/558815985dcRIOy)

[Dragonfly]

It's so strange that you can't see how steep those hills are...you can't see the nasty rock on the right side on the obstacle and the drop off on the left...it looks so easy from those pics!!!.....NOT!!!:D

[k7mto]

Great pics. What was that van doing out there? Is that a satellite setup behind it?

[Dragonfly]

Ya...it looked like they had been there a while, satellite...lawn chairs...and no sign of them...

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I have seen these at Moab and around town..fully locked witha 4x4 conversion..some folks live in these for weeks at a time in remote areas..Probably that they were safe from meeting other folks out there!

Jason