| Author | Message | ||
     Jess Alvarez (Jester) Member Username: Jester Post Number: 146 Registered: 11-2002 |
Guys, I am planning a trip out to Battleaxe, Coke Ovens and Box Canyon in Arizona, near Superior on April 26. I have a few other guys already on line for this trip. It is about 30 miles, and takes anywhere from 6-8 hours for the whole trip. Meeting place will be at the Texaco at Florence Junction, 8am, on Saturday, April 26th. The trails are rated moderate for the stock Disco. I have seen my friend's stock Grand Cherokee make it through damage free. If you would like to see some pictures of the trail and the sights involved, see my gallery. Anyone interested in joining us? | ||
| Todd Rooker (Tryrook) Member Username: Tryrook Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jess, I would like to join you...have to check with the spousal unit first to secure an ok. That weekend works well for me because I have my 3 year old son that weekend and have been dying to take him offroad. We are heading up to Canyon de Chelly this weekend to do the trip up the canyon floor with a Navajo guide. Will let you know early next week. | ||
| Jess Alvarez (Jester) Member Username: Jester Post Number: 147 Registered: 11-2002 |
Sounds great! Anyone else? | ||
| Todd Rooker (Tryrook) Member Username: Tryrook Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2002 |
We are in. We will see you on Saturday! Phenomenal trip to Canyon De Chelly. Got stranded in the quicksand. Flat tire too. Gorgeous scenery. 90% of the trip was in 12-20" moving water...definitely not the typical AZ desert trip. | ||
| Jess Alvarez (Jester) Member Username: Jester Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2002 |
Trip Details: I ran this trail today and re-scouted it to be sure it was a viable trail. There are some difficult sections, but there is nothing that we cant all make it though, even with a stock Discovery. In those cases, experienced spotting and alert driving will get us through just fine. Trail Description: We will start at Battleaxe trail for some easy driving (mostly) through a beautiful landscape, about 15 miles outside of Superior, and from there, we will go to the Cochran Coke Ovens, which are the historic grounds a mining company used to turn wood into charcoal for ore smelting purposes. It is likely that we will stop at the Ovens to have lunch and relax a bit before conquering the tougher parts of the trail. From there, we will head into Martinez Canyon (not the very hard parts), where we can expect some nice rock climbs, and somewhat bumpy, but do-able driving. After that, we will head into picturesque Box Canyon for some more challenges, and then out toward AZ-79, after which the Tucson Group can head south and the Phoenix Group can head north. Note: I have done this trail with my friend who has a stock Jeep Cherokee, and was a relatively inexperienced driver, and he made it through just fine with some good spotting. Bring plenty of water, and bring a lunch. Oh, and dont forget the camera for your snapshots of the scenery. It is incredible. Additional descriptions can be found in the "Backcountry Adventures Arizona" book by Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson and also the "Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails" by Charles A Wells. Duration: The trails combined are approximately 30 miles, and will take roughly 5-6 hours with 5 trucks. More vehicles will add time to the trip. Difficulty: For the stock vehicle, this trail would be rated as a 3.5 or even 4.0 because of a few specific spots where clearance will be an issue. Good spotting and roadbuilding will solve that problem, though. For a lifted or otherwise modified vehicle, a more accurate rating would be 3.0. Obviously driver experience comes into play also. Meeting Time: 9am, Saturday, April 26 Meet and Greet, Trail discussions, Air Down. Departure Time 9:30am from the Battleaxe Trail Head. Meeting Place: The meeting place will be at Battle Axe Road and AZ 177 at approximately Mile Marker 158.2+/- on Arizona 177. It is at the top of the hill before you descend into the valley that houses Superior (if coming from Tucson) and after leaving Superior (if coming from Phoenix). I recommend that you fill up on gas prior to coming here, however, I will say that even having 1/2 or 3/4 tank will get you through the trail and to the next gas station without a problem. The GPS (WGS84) coordinates for the meeting place are: N33d 10m 43.4s, W 111d 02m 22.1s Please go to http://www.c-s-group.com/download/boxcanyon2.jpg for a map of the trail. I look forward to leading the trail with you, and if you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me either via email at this address. Also, I need people to PLEASE RSVP to this so I know how many vehicles we will have for the trip. Thanks Jess Alvarez BLUE?????? | ||
| Blue (Blue) Member Username: Blue Post Number: 45 Registered: 04-2003 |
hmmmmmmmm.....damn........previous committment...but may be able to push it off to later Saturday night..... | ||
| Jess Alvarez (Jester) Member Username: Jester Post Number: 155 Registered: 11-2002 |
On Saturday, April 26, several of us went through the planned Battleaxe, Coke Ovens, Martinez Cabin and Box Canyon trip. Present were myself, Todd Rooker and his wife and son (the names of whom escape me), Ted Moyer and his wife, Marylin, and Mike McDonald. We started on Highway 177, just outside of Superior, and came out of the trail on AZ79 near Florence. Mike had run the same trip several times, but in reverse. It was a great day, with a great group of people. The weather was great. The trail rates from very easy to moderately difficult. One spot just above the Ovens presented some of the vehicles with a little trouble, but after about 20 or 30 minutes, we were all up it and on the way through. To see pictures, history, a map, etc, go to http://www.c-s-group.com/photos.htm These are only the pictures from my camera. I am sure some of the other attendees have some pictures as well. If they would like to send them to me, I will be happy to post for all to see. Thanks Jess |
