This medium
trail proposal
agreed with
some of the
larger rig
drivers as it
didn't fall
into the
assuredly
breakable
trail arena
and they
counted it as
a good test
area for their
new parts
before the
long CO drive.
We ended up
with 4 Jeeps
and plenty of
riders after
the spectators
peeled off
when the first
rocks started.
This made for
a nice quicker
loop while
allowing more
stopping time
to poke around
in the mines
and goof it up
in the shade.
We took about
half a day to
complete the
11 mile loop
from our air
down spot at
the 201/25
split where
the old 87
route used to
pass through.
Sycamore Creek
was only at a
trickle this
time around
but some of
the better
pools were
still full and
clear as well
as a few of
the crossings.
When actually
running, this
trail becomes
more
challenging as
rubber fights
the wet rocks
for purchase.
Alan on his
40" tires
waited
patiently as
the grand (I
refuse to put
a capital G
there)
Cherokees made
their way
slowly though
the rock
gardens. As
long as a
driver is
paying
attention,
there is
always a way
to place your
tires on top
of the rocks
to make up for
any clearance
issues they
may have, but
armor is
always
recommended
just in case.
For lower
vehicles,
sliders on
this trail are
a must, and
don't even
think of
taking
something
through with
nerf bars
through.
While many of
us
enjoy the old
mines, we
skipped the
Sunflower/National
Mecury Mine
buildings
since we had
seen them
plenty before.
We led some
newbies into
the chilly and
better mine
down the road
at
33° 57' 35" N
111° 29' 18" W
that
goes into the
hillside for
decent ways
and still has
some track and
an ore chute
coming in from
above. After
that we
progressed to
the end of our
route on the
25A. You may
keep going
about a mile
more on the
creek trail
but it turns
(rather
unexpectedly)
into a pack
trail just
past the old
blue bus.
After eating
our lunch we
took the long
hill climb up
the 3722 to
complete the
loop. It seems
pertinent to
mention that
even though
the hill out
of the creek
doesn't look
like much,
we've seen 2
Jeeps and 1
Xterra break
rear spider
gears here.
It's pretty
unimaginable
once you've
seen it, just
go easy on the
skinny pedal
until you're
up over the
first hump and
turning right
and up.
The hill here
seems to drag
on forever but
the views
continue to
increase
keeping it
interesting.
You're done
with the rock
once you've
left the
creek; all
that remains
is dirt and
some fun
alternating
side dips for
your flex to
play with.
Almost as soon
as you get to
the top, it's
back down
again into the
East Fork of
Sycamore. Just
before
crossing the
creek, there
are two really
nice mines
33° 58' 02" N
111° 27' 23" W
(Oneida
Mercury Mine
Complex) to
explore. While
the one on the
left will
almost
certainly have
6" of water on
the floor for
a stint, it's
worth walking
into as the
tunnel extends
1500ft into
the hillside.
Just bring an
extra pair of
shoes if you
want to make
it to the
colors at the
rear. There is
also an apple
tree remaining
where Chris
Martin's
1920's cabin
used to reside
should you be
there the
right time of
year and find
it as we did
Manmping.
One more hill
climb and
you're back on
maintained
road. This
little section
can be fun as
it's pretty
rutted up
equaling
tippines to
some vehicles.
As long as
your 4 wheel
drive is
working and
you have gas
(ahem Alan)
you'll be
fine. At the
top you get a
few more views
out over where
you've been
and towards
the highway as
you cruise
back to your
start.
Besides the
gas incident,
the other
items to
report this
trip were one
of Russ's
control arm
mounts which
was already
torn. It held
through the
trip but you
could see it
getting worked
in the rocks.
Also, Daniel
added some
dents to his
sliderless
rockers on the
grand towards
the end of the
creek section
were the rocks
grow a little
bigger. We had
a good little
group with
rigs of
extreme
differences on
this trip, but
as stated
before,
Sunflower
contains a
good mix of
family
friendly
scenic Arizona
trailage with
bonus creek
shad on the
side.
Previous
Higher Ground Trips:
November 11,
2006
January 30,
2005
May 16, 2004
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