ALTERNATE
ROUTE: TURKEY CREEK
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ELEVATION
PROFILE
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The Turkey Creek
alternate begins 1.8 miles west of this segment's starting point (the
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness east trailhead). Hikers planning to resupply
in Klondyke, or who intend to make use of the Buford Hill alternate route,
or who are simply looking for an adventurous route up a remote, water-sculpted
canyon that harbors a cliff dwelling, all may find this alternate route
preferable to the initial, roaded portion of the main route in this segment.
The Turkey Creek alternate heads south up Turkey Creek, then turns east
to follow 4WD roads over a bench, before joining 2WD road in Fourmile Canyon
and terminating at Klondyke.
From the junction of
Aravaipa Canyon and Turkey Creek, the
alternate route heads south up the canyon of Turkey Creek via rough 4WD
track. The creek does not always flow, but the likelihood increases farther
up the canyon. At 1.3 miles, a short trail leads to a cliff dwelling.
Built by prehistoric Salado indians, the dwelling is over 700 years old
and is among the best preserved structures of its kind in the Southwest.
At 2.6 (waypoint
07510) the rough, 4WD "Rug Road" leaves the canyon, climbing to
the west. This road is part of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness bypass route
detailed in Segment 6.
Continue up Turkey Creek's
canyon, veering left at a 4WD junction (the right fork heads toward a corral
near the mouth of Oak Grove Canyon). Our track soon joins the sandy wash
of Turkey Creek itself. Within a half mile the canyon narrows, with sheer
and colorful cliffs on display. A carsonite post sometimes in place here
indicates the way ahead is open to foot and equestrian use only. The cross-country
hiking ahead is rugged, but the canyon winds pleasantly in the company of
tall cottonwoods, willows, and ash, sometimes with pools
or flowing water in spots. Using care to follow the main drainage
of Turkey Creek as it branches, reach an area where the canyon floor is
choked with massive boulders shorn from the cliffs, at 5.6 (waypoint
07525) - a fun little obstacle course.
Join a 4WD track beyond
the corral near 6.3, which soon climbs away from Turkey Creek on
the left (east). In a mile reach a junction on a ridge, and turn right (south).
Enchanting scenery extends in every direction, and includes the Santa Teresa
and Pinaleno ranges toward the east, Galiuros to the south, and the fantastically
eroded forms in upper Turkey Creek nearby. The rough road bends northeast
around the head of a drainage near 8.4 (waypoint 07560), then turns
southeast to begin a descent into Fourmile Canyon. Reach graded, unpaved
Fourmile Creek Road at 10.4 (waypoint 07570), and turn left (east),
passing Fourmile Canyon Campground in
1.4 miles (with water and toilets - see Town
Guide). The alternate route ends at the road junction in Klondyke,
at 12.7. From here, the main GET route is 2.4 miles north via Aravaipa-Klondyke
Road.
To instead follow the
main route from Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness east trailhead, proceed eastbound
on dirt 2WD Aravaipa Canyon Road in Nature Conservancy land, where camping
is not allowed. The pale cliffs of "The Chimney" rise prominently
from the south bank of nearby Aravaipa Creek,
while shady cottonwood branches arch over the road. At 0.3 miles, the
road leaves Nature Conservancy land temporarily, and half a mile later passes
the historic Salazar family church, with a "visitors welcome" sign
out front. Just beyond, at 0.8, you may encounter a gate across Aravaipa
Canyon Road. A landowner at the adjacent house has in the past claimed ownership
of the road across her property, though as of this writing the matter appears
to have been resolved. In any case, if the gate is closed but not locked,
then open it, pass on through, and be sure to close it behind you. If it happens
to be locked, this is intended to deter vehicles rather than pedestrians,
so do proceed to climb over the (low, manageable) gate unless instructed otherwise.
Beyond the gate, re-enter
Nature Conservancy land, fording a usually shallow Aravaipa Creek along the
road at 1.5. The surrounding hillside vegetation consists of mesquite
and juniper, a marked change from Aravaipa Canyon and evidence of the route's
departure from the Sonoran desert, which here does not extend east of the
Galiuro Mountains.
Pause to feed the Detroit
Dinosaur at 2.9 - apparently he'll take scraps. A side wash just west
of here offers easiest access to Aravaipa Creek
and a final fill-up before the creek typically runs dry eastward. Leave signed
Nature Conservancy property again at 3.9, (Cobra Ranch, which you now
enter, was recently purchased by the Conservancy) then cross the now-dry creekbed
at 4.3. Beyond the bend, an unmarked forest road heads north at 4.5
(waypoint 08080). Older Forest Service maps label this road as FR 277, but
FR 277 is actually reached at 5.0 (waypoint 08090) along with a sign
for "Landman Camp." Continue straight on what's now known as Aravaipa-Klondyke
Road, with the pinnacled profile of the Santa Teresa Mountains now looming
ahead.
The main GET route passes
signed FR 94 on the left at 5.6 (waypoint 08100) (reportedly now re-signed
as '941' on a carsonite post). A fairly reliable stock trough is located half
a mile north on this road. Continuing on Aravaipa-Klondyke Rd, in less than
50 ft reach a junction with an unsigned dirt 2-track on the left (east) (waypoint
08110). From this junction, the community of Klondyke
is 2.4 miles south on Aravaipa-Klondyke Rd, with water, mail service, seasonal
lodging, and a campground nearby. (See the Town
Guide for more info on Klondyke.)
Beyond 5.6, the
main GET route becomes challenging to follow within the Santa Teresa Wilderness,
where a somewhat vague, cairned trail in Holdout Canyon demands strong navigational
skills and a willingness to dedicate some extra time and effort here. For
those so prepared, this Wilderness route can provide a rewarding and memorable
experience. For those less inclined, refer to the description for the Buford
Hill alternate route at the end of this chapter, which begins in Klondyke,
follows a network of dirt roads, and in 13.9 miles ends back at the main route
along Klondyke Road at the interface of segments 8 and 9.
At 5.6, the main
GET turns left (east) onto the sandy 2-track. (This road is reportedly ok
to use, despite any indications to the contrary.) The road soon joins a wash.
Proceed east up the wash, then where the wash branches, keep to the right
side to 6.2 (waypoint 08115), where the now-well-defined 4WD road climbs
away. The road provides a steady, moderate grade along the crest of a low
ridge, with far-ranging views toward the Galiuro Mountains beyond Aravaipa
Valley and to the Santa Teresa Mountains ahead. After a brief dip near 7.7,
climbing resumes, with a switchback along the road. At 8.3 reach a
4-way junction and keep straight, continuing uphill along the ridge. (The
left fork leads to an unreliable stock pond in 0.2.)
At 8.8, reach the
Coronado National Forest boundary by a gate. A faded wooden sign indicates
"Reef Basin Trail 68" along with mileages to Reef Tank and Holdout
Creek. Fifty feet beyond the gate at a cairn, turn right off the road onto
Trail 68. The bench-cut trail traverses northeast among prickly pear, agave,
ocotillo and mesquite to reach the drainage of Laurel
Canyon at 9.2 (waypoint 08140) (sometimes flowing in spring,
or with pools). The trail briefly becomes obscure as it crosses the drainage
and heads up along its sandy east bank to enter a steep-walled box. Here,
as the drainage bends left, look for the trail where it climbs away at right.
The rough trail winds over a low ridge, then soon returns to the drainage
(a right prong of Laurel Canyon). It proceeds directly across the rocky wash,
then uphill along a ridge, passing through an open gate at 9.5. Again
the trail returns to the drainage (another prong), continuing straight across
it. Now it passes over a height-of-land, then proceeds north to enter an open
flat. Cairns may mark where it soon crosses a wash. Beyond, Trail 68 enters
a forested pinyon pine environment, then ends back in the open at Reef
Tank, a large, seasonal stock pond that may harbor waterfowl when
wet (10.2, elev. 4980').
Alternate route
within the Santa Teresa Wilderness: Although all trails within this Wilderness
area are primitive in character, the trail in Holdout Canyon is particularly
difficult to follow at times. Despite being intensely scenic, this canyon
nonetheless can be bypassed by following the dashed blue line on the mapset
from Reef Tank, via 4WD roads north and east into Black Rock Canyon. From
the Wilderness boundary at a fenceline, a rough but obvious swath descends
steeply into this canyon. Trail 292 then heads east down the canyon's main,
sandy drainage without tread or signage, but also without any routefinding
concerns. (Westbound, just be careful to choose the correct fork heading up
the wash.) The total distance is comparable to that through Holdout Canyon.
To follow the main GET
route toward Holdout Canyon from Reed Tank, walk clockwise around the tank
to its north side. (Westbounders, unsigned Trail 68 leaves the tank on
its south side.) Camping is possible here, and a 4WD road that ends nearby
is little-used by vehicles. A small cairn may indicate where unsigned Holdout
Canyon Trail 69 climbs away to the northeast (waypoint 08190). Follow the
trail over a minor north-south ridge, then down along its east side to cross
a shallow, brushy drainage. The trail climbs and contours to another low ridge,
then again across a drainage. It repeats the theme one more time, then at
10.8 (waypoint 08200) enters the (unsigned) Santa Teresa Wilderness
and heads southeast up a more prominent drainage among pinyons and manzanita
to crest a broad saddle at 11.4 (waypoint 08210, elev. 5180'). Views
begin to open toward the higher terrain beyond, while Holdout Canyon remains
tantalizingly just out of sight. Descend gradually east from the saddle, where
the trail joins another drainage. Look carefully for where the trail then
leaves the rocky drainage on the left, contouring east away from it to reach
Holdout Overlook at 11.8. The view down Holdout Canyon and of Pinnacle
Ridge beyond is truly awe-inspiring, the myriad rock formations a testament
to the uncanny forces of geology and weathering.
Now Trail 69 contours
southeast with the help of occasional small cairns, descending gradually,
often over bedrock, to reach a dry, rockbound tributary of Holdout Creek at
12.2. Cairns guide the way across it, then soon back again to its north
side. Ahead, the amply-cairned trail passes through a gate then crosses a
broad area of bedrock among a haphazard array of boulders. The prominent rock
face to the east is called Holdout Tower, with other area features known (among
the rock climbing community) by such whimsical names as Zorro, Great Wide
Face, and The Shmoo.
The trail descends to
a minor drainage at 12.7 (waypoint 08213), just north of its confluence
with Holdout Creek. The trail continues across the side drainage and then
reaches Holdout Creek (waypoint 08214),
which often flows in this vicinity. (Beyond in this description, the word
"creek" will be used to refer to this, the main drainage of Holdout
Canyon, whether flowing or not. From here to its end in Black Rock Canyon,
Trail 69 becomes more challenging to follow consistently, though it never
strays more than a quarter-mile from the creek and never crosses it to the
opposite side.)
Proceed down the left
(north) side of the drainage, watching for where the trail heads away from
the creek again. The trail climbs above the drainage to contour along a hillside,
generally paralleling the drainage eastward. Here it enters a confusing, treadless
area of hard-to-spot cairns. Avoid the temptation to return to the creek,
which has pour-offs ahead. Instead, look carefully for cairns as the brushy
trail undulates across several minor side drainages. In particular, be on
the lookout for a cairned metal survey marker on the left, where the trail
turns sharply left (north) to circumvent an area of impassable domes and gullies
to the east.
Now the trail, cairned
and flagged, descends into a forested drainage. It leaves the drainage at
right to climb through a little notch, then down the bouldery drainage on
its opposite side. The trail leaves this drainage on the left, then rejoins
it farther down. It then makes a somewhat obscure right turn (south) into
another drainage, which it soon leaves at left. Finally the trail exits the
maze of rock and returns to Holdout Creek, reaching it by a cairn at 13.8
(waypoint 08215). (Westbounders, walking up the creek, watch for the cairn
on the right.)
Walk cross-country down
the creek to where the drainage forks at 13.9 (waypoint 08216) and
take the left fork, northward. As the drainage bends east, remain on its left
(north) side. From here to 14.6 you may find some semblance of a paralleling
trail on the left. Initially it returns to the drainage again in only 100
yards. Fifty yards beyond, the trail leaves the drainage once more on the
left, at a cairn atop a rock (14.1, waypoint 08217). Still the trail
remains near the creek and returns to it again. At 14.3, the trail
leaves the creek on the left near a prominent north-south side drainage. Again
back at the creek, walk down its left side, leaving it decisively at 14.6.
Trail 69 is better established
now, turning north to enter a brushy, rocky flat, with expansive views toward
Pinnacle Ridge and Cottonwood Mountain. It bends northeast across bedrock,
with cairns, rising and dipping across a few minor drainages, before descending
to intersect riparian Holdout Creek again at 15.1 (waypoint 08220).
A north-south side drainage joins here on the left. Walk up the side drainage
20 feet to find a resumption of trail on the right. (Westbounders,
walk down the drainage to Holdout Creek and look for trail heading up the
bank at the 2 o'clock position.)
Our trail soon turns northeast,
winding up alongside a little gully and over a height-of-land. Beyond, low
live oak scrub forms little corridors down the eroded hillside; be careful
to determine which one is the trail, which turns northeast here and descends
a bit. It then climbs north to a rockbound perch, and turns east along it,
with more good outlooks. Now the trail works its way north again, undulating
toward a fenceline on the right, which it follows, climbing to a gate at 15.7.
Brushy and thorny as ever, it descends awkwardly beyond the gate over a gravelly
surface of eroded granite, passes over another minor height-of-land, then
follows a network of steep, eroded gullies north. Flagging may indicate which
gully to follow, though it doesn't really matter, as all of them soon reach
the same destination: a prominent east-west drainage. Join this drainage and
follow it east a short ways to its intersection with Holdout Creek (waypoint
08228). Turn left and walk cross-country down the creek to its confluence
with Black Rock Canyon, at 16.0
(waypoint 08230). (Westbounders turn left up Holdout Canyon and walk along
the right side of the wash 150 yards to an obvious side drainage on the right,
possibly marked with a cairn. Turn into the side drainage and improvise a
way up to the gate at 15.7.)
An old corral and pasture
in Black Rock Canyon across from the confluence would make for a scenic rest
break or campsite, with fine views in a pretty, open area. The way ahead is
much more obvious now, as our route joins the wide wash in Black Rock Canyon,
following it eastbound, cross-country. This is so-called Trail 292, as shown
on the Forest Service map. If the wash isn't flowing you may still find pools
ahead. Keep to the drainage, following the path of least resistance among
the sand and cobbles, and watching for coues whitetail deer and the tracks
of black bear, coyote, and mountain lion. Near 17.3, find an easy way
around a fence across the wash, which marks the boundary between National
Forest Wilderness and the BLM's companion North Santa Teresa Wilderness, which
we now enter. Pay close attention now, as the suggested GET route soon
leaves Black Rock Canyon's wash at the 2nd side wash junction on the left
(north) beyond the fenceline (17.5, waypoint 08240). (Note that
Trail 292 continues down Black Rock Wash, eventually reaching private land,
no trespassing allowed. However, en route it leads to a junction with Gardner
Trail 67 on the right side of the drainage (waypoint 08250), which is hard
to locate, but offers a possible side trip to Sycamore
Spring and a pair of spring-fed tanks
beyond scenic Mud Spring Mesa. Trail 67 becomes unfollowable beyond there
and is not a practical thru-route across the Santa Teresas.)
From 17.5 to 22.9 the
suggested GET route is hypothetical for now, and represents a recent relocation
due to the concerns of private landowners bordering on the North Santa Teresa
Wilderness. Much of this new route has been explored within the last few years
and the rest will be field-verified this autumn, but we're reasonably comfortable
outlining the entire layout at this time. This relo is located entirely on
public land within the North Santa Teresa Wilderness and adjacent BLM parcels.
From 17.5 walk north up the sandy side wash for about a half mile,
where it may become brushy, then climb out on the right, heading northeast,
cross-country up an open slope to a junction with a 2-track road at 18.1
(waypoint 08300). Here the road, also called Fisher Basin Trail 64, bends
north; follow it to a t-junction of roads at 18.9 (waypoint 08310)
and turn left (west), passing near a stock pond
of unknown reliability (as usual on public land, no camping is allowed within
1/4 mile of developed water). From the pond head north, cross-country, in
sparsely vegetated terrain, to intersect an obvious wash (such as at waypoint
08315). Walk down-drainage, east and northeast (westbounders note a split
in the wash about halfway along and take the left fork), to where the
wash crosses a dirt track - FR 284 - at 20.1 (waypoint 08317). (From
here, South Fork Spring is about a mile
away to the northwest, off-route, and as-yet unvisited.)
Follow FR 284 east to
a t-junction of roads, then turn right (south). Soon reach another road junction
and turn left (east). In a tenth of a mile or so, leave this road (20.9,
waypoint 08320) and head southeast, crossing a drainage, then walk east, cross-country
up an open slope. Round the south-facing side of the ridge crest until a
stock pond or two becomes visible and approachable
to the south among some rocks (waypoint 08322), then make your way downhill
to reach that location. A dirt access road leads south from the ponds to the
wider, graded track of FR 94, reached at 21.6 (waypoint 08324). Turn
left (east) on this road, here in BLM land as usual. (Don't camp along this
road; wait until you're back in the Wilderness again just ahead.) Follow FR
94 for less than half a mile, then turn right (south), reentering the North
Santa Teresa Wilderness, and proceed cross-country for about one quarter mile
to waypoint 08326. Turn due east - either at this waypoint or slightly to
the south, as dictated by terrain. Cross over the wide drainage of Black
Rock Wash again, (often dry here) and continue east up the opposite
slope until intersecting a lesser side drainage. Follow the drainage southeast
a short distance to intersect an obvious pack trail at 22.9 (waypoint
08328). This is an extension of Cottonwood Mountain Trail 66. Turn right (south)
and follow the trail as it continues up the canyon bottom. (Westbounders,
leave the trail at waypoint 08328 and walk cross-country down the drainage.)
Trail 66 is somewhat rough
but should be followable as it remains generally alongside the drainage to
its head, where it bends right (west). The trail then meanders and switchbacks
up to the open crest of a north-south ridge. It heads south along the ridge,
which broadens into something of a mesa. The trail follows alongside a fenceline,
passing through a gate in a fence corner at
24.4 (waypoint 08330). Now in the Coronado National Forest / Santa
Teresa Wilderness once more, the trail
soon becomes better defined as it descends south, switchbacking along a steep
hillside, then across a riparian drainage. Next it climbs to pass an old metal
tank and smaller trough (both likely dry) at 25.1. Ahead the trail
reaches a junction (look for the wooden signpost by a tree) at 25.4.
Here a side trail heads east into a corral, with a pair of troughs located
50 yards north, downhill along the back fenceline, by the drainage. This is
generally known as Kane Spring, although
the map shows the spring farther north. Camping is possible in the corral,
or by the shady drainage. Trail 66 continues right at the signed junction,
south, the less obvious of the two forks. (Westbounders, turn right to
visit the troughs, left for Trail 66.)
Climb steadily along the
rocky but well-engineered trail, with occasional switchbacks. Reach a gate
at 26.9, where the trail emerges from shady pinyon and live oak cover
to cross over a ridge. To the east, a vantage exends to the broad Gila Valley
far below near Safford, with the desert Gila Mountains beyond. The trail now
enters the watershed of Fourmile Canyon, contouring southward along an east-facing
slope. Here and beyond the Santa Teresa Mountains burned sporadically in the
late 1980's, the vegetation now well into regeneration but with many old pinyon
snags still standing in places. After crossing a few side drainages, the trail
- recently cleared of blowdown in one area (and otherwise fine) - reaches
a potentially confusing junction at 28.2. Here a side trail heads east
downhill to the main drainage, then is lost where it must head down the drainage
to Fourmile Spring and corral. Our Trail
66 instead turns right, south, and heads through some obscuring manzanita
over a height-of-land. It then slabs west, downhill, to follow alongside the
main drainage of Fourmile Canyon, which
flows seasonally and often has pools. (Westbounders reach a junction beyond
the height-of-land - options left or right - and turn left, contouring along
the slope.)
Cross a right fork of
the drainage at 28.5 and turn right. (A side trail turns left down
the drainage, reaching an attractive camping area among ponderosas near a
confluence of drainages.) (Westbounders note that Trail 66 turns left to
cross the drainage before the confluence.) Proceed up alongside the drainage,
leaving it at a switchback above a cairn, the first of
several switchbacks as Trail 66 climbs west between the two main forks here
at the head of Fourmile Canyon. Eventually the trail initiates a sidehill
traverse, (beyond waypoint 08370) where good benched tread works its way gradually
up to a ridge crest at 29.5.
Atop the ridge, (at waypoint
08380) find an old wooden signboard on the ground by a cairn, cryptically
labelled "Black Canyon Trail 66." (Westbounders leave the ridge
on its left soon beyond the signboard.) Now the trail heads west rather
vaguely along the brushy, partially-burned ridge, assisted by cairns initially.
It stays generally within sight of the canyon to the north, passing an old
fire ring along a forested swale on the ridge. Our ridge merges with another
from the left, where the trail meets a wire fence (waypoint 08390). The trail
continues up the ridge, with the fence on its left (disregard how the map
shows otherwise). After two-tenths of a mile, the ridgecrest trail leaves
the fenceline, and with the help of cairns tops out on the open crest of Cottonwood
Mountain, at 30.2 (GPS: 32 53.068' N 110 11.299' W, elev.
7250'). (Westbounders look for an important cairn here indicating where
to leave the main ridge, east-southeast.)
Marked with occasional
cairns and flagging, the vague trail proceeds southwest along the obvious
height-of-land, affording restricted views north. Be sure to head cross-country
the short distance over to the edge (30.3, waypoint 08395) for one
of the most spectacular outlooks along the entire GET. Here, beyond the rugged
reef of rock comprising the upper flanks of Cottonwood Mountain, the range
drops dramatically away to Mud Spring Mesa and Black Rock Canyon. To the left
rises the serrated profile of Pinnacle Ridge, framing the rockbound chaos
of Holdout Canyon, while away to the north stands Cobre Grande (Big Copper)
Peak. A memorable, albeit possibly windswept, camp could be made here at the
overlook.
Trail 66 keeps left of
a little gully, avoiding the prominent knoll to the northwest. Now, at 30.4
(waypoint 08400) it leaves the crest and its scattered semi-burned stand of
ponderosas, and heads southwest on good, obvious tread toward Cottonwood Canyon.
(The junction with defunct Trail 67 is generally unfindable and of no concern.)
Our trail descends via a sidehill traverse with occasional switchbacks. Campfire
rocks have been arranged to form a windbreak by the final switchback, a small
flat area offering good views out to the Galiuro Mountains and ahead along
the GET toward the Pinalenos. Continue downhill on the rocky trail, as the
grade now steepens a bit.
Approaching the main drainage
of Cottonwood Canyon the trail heads left
around a brushy knoll, then turns sharply right by a cairn, briefly climbing
along the knoll then descending. The Wilderness boundary is undefined, if
it is reached at waypoint 08500 as the map set indicates. Trail 66 now joins
the attractive riparian drainage, which flows seasonally. (A possible
spring is located up-canyon by the corral shown on maps.) After
crossing back and forth via cairns, at 32.7 the trail climbs around
a 30-foot-high pour-off, impressive after a good rainstorm. Head up to the
base of the "falls" to find a potential trickle of water in drier
times. Dabble with the drainage again for a short ways, noting where a potential
camp could be made among the cottonwoods and sycamores, just before the trail
crosses the drainage to climb away up the north bank. The trail now generally
parallels the drainage southwest, ending by a turnout at 33.4, where
a sign indicates our definitive exit from the Santa Teresa Wilderness. A rough
4WD track - FR 677 - continues south along the drainage, with good level ground
about for camping. Follow it to the Coronado National Forest boundary at a
brown metal gate (34.0, waypoint 08510). (Sand Tank must be dry or
was not noted.)
Now in state land, the
eroded 4WD track undulates south among a lush high-desert chaparral community,
away from Cottonwood Canyon, to a junction at 34.4. Here at a fork,
the somewhat wider track of FR 677 turns right (west), while our route stays
straight, now essentially a quad track. (Westbounders continue north from
the junction.) Our route forks again momentarily - take the right fork
here (the two tracks meet up again in a short ways). Now the track turns northeast
and climbs to reach some interesting outcrops, with sweeping views south of
the expansive low country separating the Santa Teresas and Pinalenos.
Descend to cross the drainage
of Cottonwood Creek once more. The little-used track briefly climbs away on
the east side of the drainage, then returns to cross it again. It follows
along its west side, somewhat obscurely, then crosses back to the east side,
where it heads laterally away from the main drainage in an area of willows
(35.9, waypoint 08525). After another brief climb-around, the 2-track
comes back to the drainage by a short bedrock pour-off,
unreliable in drier times. However, there are often pools
below the pour-off among sculpted granite boulders, although the tanks and
springs specified on the map aren't really obvious per se. Unfortunately the
pools here tend to be heavily polluted by stock animals. The track remains
generally near the drainage, passing through an open gate at 36.6.
Despite the frequent cattle activity in the area, okay camping prospects can
be found among the tall sycamores in the wide sandy flood plain. After several
more crossings of the drainage a white metal gate comes into view on the west
bank, with another on the opposite side. Here a better road crosses the drainage,
entering private property to the east. (Don't camp near here.) Instead, head
over to the west bank and look for an opening in the fenceline less than 100
feet south of the gate, by a corral, at 37.2 (waypoint 08530). Pass
on through and return to the road you just crossed, now beyond the drainage
of Cottonwood Canyon. (Westbounders reach the posted white gate along the
road and head right to find the unposted opening in the fence.)
The 2WD dirt road heads
southwest up a wide wash, then in 0.2 climbs away toward the south, reaching
a junction with 2-lane, graded dirt Klondyke Road at 37.9, the end
of Segment 8 (waypoint 09010, elev. 4800'). This junction is also the end
of the Buford Hill alternate route, which begins in Klondyke and ultimately
follows Klondyke Road eastbound.
ALTERNATE ROUTE:
BUFORD HILL
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ELEVATION
PROFILE
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This route detours around
the Santa Teresa Wilderness. Beginning in the village of Klondyke, 2.4 mi
south of the main GET at mile 5.6, it follows a network of dirt roads, and
in 13.9 miles ends back at the main route along Klondyke Road at the interface
of segments 8 and 9.
From the junction of
Klondyke Rd and Fourmile Creek Rd in Klondyke
(2.4 miles south of the main GET at milepoint 0.0 on the Buford Hill
alternate route), proceed southeast on wide, graded 2WD Klondyke Rd to 3.2
(waypoint 08720). Turn left (east) here onto a gated access road through
private property (note the sign-in register and requirement to sign in before
proceeding). Pass through another gate at 3.4, now in state land,
where camping is allowed away from developed water sources.
Our 4WD road follows
Buford Canyon intially, then turns obviously into Road Canyon at their confluence.
At 5.5, it climbs left out of this canyon's wash to gain a viewful
ridge. (Avoid remaining in the wash on the no-go road shown on the Topo
Map Set.) Pass near a couple of stock troughs
on the right (working as of fall '06), then reach a junction with a more
primitive road forking left (north) at 6.6 (waypoint 08770). (This
road leads to a potential camping area in a quarter mile or so, with far-ranging
views.) Our route keeps right on the main 4WD road, and passes through a
metal gate at 7.1. Note the prominent hulk of Buford Hill rising
to the north, framed by the serrated profile of Pinnacle Ridge in the Santa
Teresa Wilderness. If only a trail ran along that ridge!
Ignore a lesser road
on the left at 7.7 and another at 8.0, the latter of which
descends into South Fork Buford Canyon. Our 4WD road now commences an extended
counter-clockwise bend (another side road heads right at 8.6). At
9.4 (waypoint 08820) cross the small drainage containing Cherry
Tree Spring, a few potential pools of water in the drainage bedrock
down-canyon. The little riparian canyon shows no signs of vehicle use, and
would allow camping in places.
At the next junction
- milepoint 9.7 - turn right by a lone juniper in the road. Reach
a t-intersection with signed, graded FR 677 at 10.5 (waypoint 08840)
and turn right. (A
left on FR 677 would lead to the main GET route in 1.1 miles and an option
for accessing Trail 66 into the Santa Teresa Wilderness or potential water
in lower Cottonwood Canyon.)
FR 677 proceeds southeast
around prominent Oak Butte. Take the left fork at 11.1, and continue
on FR 677 to its end at Klondyke Road (12.7). (Westbounders note
that FR 677 is signed "Sand Tank/Trail 66 4 miles.") Here
turn left (east) and follow wide, graded Klondyke Road 1.2 easy (though
shadeless) miles to a rejoining of the main route at the end of Segment
8 (13.9, waypoint 09010). (Here, marked by white, ranch-type metal
signs labelled "MC" (or perhaps "JM") a lesser dirt
track heads north, along with the main route westbound in Segment 8.)
G.E.T. Topo Maps 21-28 
