??Question about Tip Top Loop??

[KURT]

I've been to Tip Top, and the surrounding area, several times... but I saw on the 'old site', the Tip Top trail is listed as a 'loop'.

Is there another road, back to I-17, from the west side of Tip Top? Or does 'loop' refer to a road that splits off, as you head back east, to the freeway?

[Wind_Danzer]

I did a trip past Tip Top a few years back and we started in TM and left out through Lake Pleasant.

It was an all day trip. Stu Olson lead that one and I'm itchin' to go back. :D

[Wildcat455]

I did a trip past Tip Top a few years back and we started in TM and left out through Lake Pleasant.

It was an all day trip. Stu Olson lead that one and I'm itchin' to go back. :D

You did one with me, too, you dingleberry!!

[Wind_Danzer]

No this was a longer trip, way longer. It came out the other side of Lake Pleasant.

Some pics:

http://i16.tinypic.com/5ysud08.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/4tjnlon.jpg

Choilla Field from hell, we all got some stuck to our Jeeps that day:

http://i15.tinypic.com/63hpi6o.jpg

http://i14.tinypic.com/6cwurmt.jpg

The only tough spot in the trip:

http://i16.tinypic.com/6cie355.jpg

The one we did was up past XXX with Rachel. That's another fun one.

[DREDnot]

There are a couple of ways out of there.
I thought they were refering to the loop as taking the left at the Y and coming down the wide road after going up from the old landing strip and following boulder creek past the stage station.

[Kiwi]

probably the most common 'loop' is going out to Tip Top from TM, then catching Boulder Creek on the way back to TM.

But, there are some LONG routes that run off of Cow Srings road to the TM area, or visa versa that will take you through Tip Top as well

Here are some of the various routes I've taken:
http://www.shadowlakes.com/TipTop.GIF

[joedokes28]

I love that area. Sounds like we need someone to lead another trip out there and show a few of us some new sights.

[Kiwi]

we should do an over-nighter soon. Nice weather for camping right now :)

[Jeep4ME]

I'm game, I've been wanting to go to Tip Top for years.

[joedokes28]

Is the Top Notch Mine, the mine past Tip Top with the water tanks and newer equipment? I'm terrible at reading maps.

[westy]

There are also some loops north of Tip Top as well.

[AZrubicon]

probably the most common 'loop' is going out to Tip Top from TM, then catching Boulder Creek on the way back to TM.There are also some loops north of Tip Top as well.I was originally using the title "Tip Top Loop" to mean a trail that goes off to the right before Tip Top then goes north and makes a counter-clockwise loop finishing at Tip Top. I later found out this was properly called the Shamrock Loop with Shamrock tank at the north end. That loop is 16 miles itself not including getting to the start of the loop or driving back from Tip Top at the finish. Definately requires an early start. I have been wanting to do the Shamrock Loop, but haven't yet.

[Kiwi]

Some people on here ran that route a couple weeks ago. Pretty rough from what I understand. I've also been up to the Milk Ranch, at Willow Springs is where my last vehicle broke a crankshaft bolt. From there to Milk Ranch is route called Joe's Ridge - 35's and lockers required for that!

even the routes shown in red there are a couple rough hill climbs, and the northern most one, a decent creek bed to go through

[joedokes28]

Somebody plan a trip. I'm not sure if I can swing an overnighter, but I'd like to get out there and see some of these alternate routes.

[KURT]

Thanks for all the input, guy's. I did the Boulder Creek route last year (pretty cool). I was thinking there may be another route back east (and maybe north).
Yes, I've done the Columbia to Tip Top trail several times, and I met up with Stu, who came in from the south (maybe around Fort Tule?). I'm planning another night run, in that area, and looking for ideas.

[KURT]

I have been wanting to do the Shamrock Loop, but haven't yet.

I just looked this up on the topo... looks like an interesting run, thanks. Has anyone done this trail lately?