ANNUAL FALL COLORS HIKE! Basset Peak/Ash Creek Trail Car Camp Weekend
- November 9, 2012 · 4:00 PM
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Houghton Rd & I-10
Due to problems last year, please do not assume that you can bring a dog.
Per Sabrina's suggestion to make this an annual event. Here it is! AZ FALL COLORS HIKE! Basset Peak: Ash Creek Trail. It can only be described as spectacular! 2008 Hike
The plan is to meet at our handy Houghton Road/ I-10 location and head out of town. Car camping Saturday night is optional if you only want to day hike and return to town. Please indicate in your R.S.V.P. if you are camping Friday, Saturday or driving back to Tucson.
Plan on an ALL Day outing. The trail head is at 5000', we will have almost 3000' of elevation gain, 10.78 miles round trip . It should take 6 hours. Please dress in layers, bring gloves, hats, windbreakers etc . It's still very warm now, but this hike takes place in November at elevation. We want everyone to be comfortable, please be considerate and be prepared.
Summary: This hike takes you to the top of Basset Peak, the highpoint of the Galiuro Mountains. The hike starts out at 5000 ft in elevation. The trail follows Ash Creek to its headwaters at the bottom of a large basin, which is marked by a lone stand of aspen trees. At this point the trail climbs up and out of the steep walled basin. Once you climbed out of the basin and on to the prominent ridge line you will be at the intersection of the Ash Creek trail, the East Divide Trail, and Basset Peak Trail. Follow Basset Peak Trail for another mile to the summit. There is WW-II B-24 bomber crash site to explore too!
Hike will start at 0830 Saturday morning.
Trail head: From Tucson take I-10 east to Wilcox. Take exit 340, then follow Fort Grant Road north for about 18 miles to its intersection with Ash Creek Rd. Follow Ash Creek Rd west for about 15 miles. This should take us approximately to the intersection of Sunset Rd and Ash Creek Rd.
Here we will need high clearance vehicles to continue up Ash Creek Rd another 2.5 miles to the trail head and parking location. Note that the total hiking distance for this hike is relative to the trail head. (Lat:32.50678 Lon:-110.23358)
Map to the Campground:
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Cindy Collins
You guys took some amazing photos! Looks like an explosion of colors down there! Glad you had fun, and welcome home!
November 12
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Cindy Collins
"Old dog" = me. "New trick" = camping. But I'm really going to try to do it as a day trip next year!
November 13
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Duane
Greg, kml files of drive to camp and trail hike have been uploaded. Check out the "More - Files" link at the top of any ALT meetup page. Let me know if they work for you.
November 13
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Greg C.
Thank you, Sir! Google Earth likes them just fine. I was curious how far I got. (Up the switchbacks to the point where they headed away from the aspen grove.) 3.5 miles, 1500ft, from your start point.
November 13
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Duane
Still the superb camping/hiking event of the fall season. Another annual dose of "visual overload" and a great group of people to spend the weekend with. When motivated, Chris sets a return pace that compares to a power walk on the down escalator.
November 13
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Greg C.
Apart from an unfortunate driving-by-Braile encounter with a tree, the weekend was pleasant, even with the drizzly Friday weather. The hike itself, weather, scenery, etc., were essentially perfect.
November 12
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Patty
As always this was a good trip, met some new people and the weather was good. We were almost detained by a downed tree but the men got to work and freed us, thanks!
November 12
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Stephanie P. Shu
What a great first time camp I had! I was very lucky to be in there, from carpooling, camp equipment borrowing, signing up to the hiking of Basset peak, the coming back time and even the weather. Thanks Mark for your good organizing, Mike for your carpool and good timing, Bill for the fire guard, setting up and many others…It was so nice to meet all of you in such unique place with amazing beautiful fall colors. Weather was perfect even with tiny layer of snow on the top of the peak. I really enjoyed and liked the whole journey.
November 11
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Bob Weiland
All,
As we approach the event, rain chances are increasing, wind gust predictions seem to be "guessing" higher winds AND the temp predictions are lowering.
I am going to bow out.
Hope everyone has a SAFE and enjoyable trip.
Bob
November 8
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Bob Weiland
The pictures that I saw were Fantastic ! -- YEP, Hindsight IS 20-20 and I probablu should have gone.
November 11
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Bob Weiland
Oh -- well, this isn't the first time I have been overly cautious. ;-) -- Bob ( not Rob )
November 11
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Mark
It rained one weekend last year and snowed the other; everyone on both weekends had a great time.
November 8
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Bob Weiland
Mark,
Thanks for the update !
With weather forecasts predicting a 30 % chance of rain on Friday evening and also on Saturday afternoon, are you considering changing the date of this hike ?
OR....
Is this more of an update -- let's see what happens -- kind of an announcement ?
Bob
November 7
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Mark
Weather Update: Friday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Breezy.
Saturday A chance of rain showers. Snow level 5800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night A 10 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy.November 7
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Greg C.
Latest weather guesstimate:
http://tinyurl.com/AshCreekFree...
Saturday is predicted to be windy and cold, with temps in the 40s.
Needless to say, dress warmly and be aware of potential exposure / hypothermia.November 6
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Greg C.
Stacie and I are leaving early Friday, around 9am, and have vague plans to take a short hike up the canyon, depending on how the weather plays out. We have room for one more, if they travel light or have a roof-top bag. Possible Sat. evening departure, depending on the frigid factor.
November 6
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Duane
I hope to be leaving the Bway/Craycroft area around 4:30 or 5:00 on Friday. Vehicle will be full, but I can lead a group from I-10/Houghton to the campsite in the dark.
November 6
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Mark
Is everyone set on rides, and the location? If not please reach out. I am planning on leaving Friday early afternoon. There should be a mid-afternoon , and evening group on Friday too.
November 6
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Andrea
Ok, does anyone actually want to just go for the day on Sat. or not? I will go if anyone wants to drive down with me, but I'll cancel if no one does...
November 6
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Kim
Too cold for me! Do you want to do something closer to home on Saturday, if no one is going?
November 6
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Bob Weiland
Hmm...
Well, since my Aluminum suit is NOT recommended for Alien stealthiness ( Unless, as Greg C points out, -- I "Like the probe " )
I was considering NOT bringing it ;-)However..
It may offer me some thermo-reflective protection from the possible sub-freezing temperatures. Then again, a "little" Jack Daniels MAY offer similar protection ;-)
I know !
I'll bring BOTH.
You can NEVER be too safe.
Bob
November 5
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Greg C.
The latest forecast does look chilly, particularly Sat. evening. http://forecast.weath...
November 5
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Bob Weiland
Uh Oh !!
I JUST looked at the attached link for the campground map AND... I have NEVER seen so many "Crop Circles" in my life !!
Should I bring my Aluminum suit -- to prevent Alien life forms from spying on me ?
Inquisitive minds need to know ?Bob
November 3
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Greg C.
The flashy aluminum will only attract their attention. Definitely _not_ recommended, unless you actually _like_ the probe...
November 4
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Bob Weiland
Dave,
I live within 3 miles of the Houghton parking area shown in the hike directions. So... if you'd like -- we can carpool from my house. Others are also welcome with the carpool but -- I drive a Buick Regal so,,, low clearance. -- BobNovember 3
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Kim
I may come up for the day hike, if that is okay. And sit by the afternoon campfire...
October 19
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Greg C.
Weather models suggest that the season's first proper cold front will be in the area next weekend. It's too early to talk about rain or even snow, or the lack thereof, but it does seem likely that the temperatures will be below average. Pack an extra blankie!
November 2
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Yanni the Spartan Greek Forever
Hey guys,
I own a a truck and a prius.Is ash creek road a dirt road.From what you put on post it is a dirt road.I would just like 2 hang out at camp site and hike close 2 site.I can crash in my car and will take Jake my dog.Jake is amazing animal.
peace JohnOctober 24
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Yanni the Spartan Greek Forever
I see it is a dirt road.Last time I took my prius up the dirt road in the mount that area I had and change my ac/and engine filters.
October 24
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Greg C.
I'll be leaving Friday, sometime around mid-day. and staying 'till Sunday. Me and my Honda Wagon can take 2, so long as we don't go overboard on the 'stuff.'
October 19
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Greg C.
I don't have plans for the day, so am flexible. If Mark again brings umpteen gallons of wine, I don't think a super early departure is very likely. ;) Last time out, most of us packed up by 10am or so.
October 22
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Noreen
Patty, I am leaving Fri early afternoon and returning late sat or sun early. I do have a small 4 wheel vehicle. 690.1415 I'd enjoy the company.
October 22
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Patty
Noreen, I will ride with you, I can leave work at noon and would like to head home early on Sunday, I will call you.
October 22
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Dave
Wee, I'm off the waiting list! Is anybody with a high clearance vehicle going up Saturday morning? (I'm working until 4 on Friday and would not like to try finding the site and setting up after dark.)
October 19
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Greg C.
I can bring a modest amount of chopped, diced, and sliced mesquite wood. It won't be enough to feed a roaring fire for two days, but should make a dent in the demand, as well as make good BBQ coals.
October 20
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Cymosa
Should probably establish a group interested in going out to the plane crash, as it is otherwise hard to find, and requires ropes to reach the fuselage section.
August 25
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Patty
I dont have a high clearance vehicle and am looking for a ride, I can leave anytime after 12 noon on Friday .
October 19
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Greg C.
My Honda wagon is hardly HC, but it had no trouble reaching the campsite last year. I'm also looking to leave relatively early on Friday and have plenty of room. Can take 2 passengers and a modest amount of stuff.
October 19
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Mike
A good tune for your IPOD Kim, Jump into the fog by the Wombats! Not quite as good as "our song" but still a good one for a sing along in the car.
October 19
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Stacie Eichinger
Me and my +1 are also looking for a ride as we do not have high clearance. Can leave anytime.
October 19
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Mike
FYI, preburn the paint off of any coat hangers prior to using them to hold your marshmallow over the fire. Or Kumbaya may come out as ayabmuk...from the fumes... ;)
October 19
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Yanni the Spartan Greek Forever
I have been out that way so many times.I will take my dog and go alone.I have been alone up over 14500 feet in B.C. Rockies.Jake is like a mountain Lion.Have fun and happy hiking.
October 5
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Yanni the Spartan Greek Forever
Ash Creek.I was just in the area a few weeks ago with my amazing dog Jake.Ash Creek is in the Coronado Forest and Mt Graham.
Jake is a mountain Lion.October 1
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Greg C.
I gotta decide if I'm heading to Utah in late October or not. If not, I'll volunteer to help with a second group.
October 1
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Dave
I'm starting a new job October 1st. This is good news, but I won't be able to go up on a Friday night. That complicates any possible co-hosting, but if anybody wants to do a variation on this where we start early Saturday (Nov.3), I could still camp Saturday night.
September 24
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Mark
The area can't support 40 campers along with the deer hunters, and other campers for the weekend. Splitting this into two weekend would be great.
September 13
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Greg C.
Road conditions may vary, but I'm not sure you'll really _need_ a high clearance vehicle to reach the campsite. My less-than-'monster' Accord Wagon made it to the campsite last year w/o any trouble. The last ~mile of road, between the campground and trailhead, DID get pretty gnarly, but it's an easy stroll and most/all of the people (even those w. 4x4s) walked in.
September 12
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Venus
I would do it in the heart beat if i know these places. but not good enough. I can be an assistant if they need it.. lol!
September 12
11 attended
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Duane +1
Assistant Organizer
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