A HARD-WON LOOK AT A RARE SITE

BLACK MESA RUINS

Black Canyon City

The East Face of the Fort

Of the hundreds of known archeological sites in the Agua Fria National Monument (AFNM), only one (Pueblo La Plata) is publicized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  However, several others are frequented by local hikers, including this bastion of boulders teetering over I-17 near Black Canyon City. Although it's well documented in popular hiking books and web sites, getting to this Hohokam fortress is no easy task.  Route finding, barbed wire, cat-claw-infested washes, and a short section of vertical hand-over-foot climbing, thwart all but the most determined hikers.

Archeologists think this multi-room structure was constructed between 800 – 1150 C.E..  Unlike other ruins in the area, this one is remarkably intact with two-man-high walls shielding its eastern flank.  The layout of the site is still clear, making it easy to imagine how the numerous rooms with peepholes looking out over the canyons were used to monitor activities on the surrounding grasslands where the builders may have farmed, hunted and stood guard over their communities.  At the eastern base of the mesa, hundreds of petroglyphs—including some interesting footprint designs--- decorate volcanic boulders. As with all heritage sites: leave everything as you found it.  Take only pictures; leave only footprints.

Overlooking Black Canyon City

LENGTH: 1.5 miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate-difficult (route-finding, steep climb)

ELEVATION: 2,200' – 3,163'
BEST SEASON: October -April

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 past Black Canyon City. Park in any of the dirt pullouts along the freeway between mileposts 245 and 246.  From here, locate a BLM gate (closer to MP246) with an AFNM sign.  The gate is usually locked, but it’s easy (and legal) to squeeze through.  From here, there's a rough path for about 0.1 mile, then, you'll need to bushwhack uphill while aiming roughly 100 feet to the north of the ruins on the tip of the mesa where a break in the cliffs makes for a manageable 25-foot hand-over-foot climb to the site.

The BLM Gate. Destination is the peak on the left.

Footprint Rock Art

GENERAL INFO: Bureau of Land Management, Agua Fria National Monument

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/natmon/afria.html

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WHERE THE WILD WILLOWS WEEP

DRIPPING SPRING

Willows and pines at the lower spring

Pine-Strawberry

Aptly named, Dripping Springs is a duo of seep areas in a muddy embankment held together with a lattice of roots and vines. Unlike the typical gushing mountain spring, these natural water tanks – lodged beneath dirt parapets topped with ponderosa pines – work like giant earthen sponges issuing a steady dribble of moisture. Slick with moss and algae, the nutrient-rich ooze of these “weeping cliffs” sustains a green valley that spills into the hamlets of Pine-Strawberry below.

From the Pine trailhead, pick up a trail beginning at the southeast end of the parking lot near the corral. Follow this winding path a short distance to the Highline No. 31/Pine Canyon Trail No. 26 junction. From here, veer north (left) on Trail No. 26 and hike 0.5 miles to the Pineview Trail No. 28 junction and stay straight on Trail No. 26. From here, it’s one mile to Lower Dripping Spring and another 0.15 miles to Upper Dripping Spring.

Note: To extend this hike, continue 6.25 miles uphill on Trail No. 26 to the 7,200-foot crest of the Mogollon Rim.

LENGTH: 7 miles roundtrip

ELEVATION: 5,420' -6,100' 

RATING: moderate

DOGS: leashed dogs allowed

KID FRIENDLY?: best for older kids
BEST SEASON: spring, fall, winter

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 105 miles one way

GETTING THERE: From the intersection of SR 87/260 in Payson, go north to just south of the town of Pine, turn right at the sign for the Pine Trailhead and go 0.25 miles to the parking lot.

FACILITIES: restroom

INFO: Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, 928-474-7900
, 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35593&actid=50

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NEW YEAR, OLD TRAIL

BALLANTINE- PINE CREEK LOOP TRAIL

Tonto National Forest

View from Ballantine Trail, January 1, 2012

Confession: I've driven by the Ballantine trailhead on SR 87 eleventy-nine times, but never pulled over because, from the highway, the terrain just didn't inspire. It took the recommendation of a trusted hiking pal for me to put this trail first up on my 2012 resolution list in the “hike trails I've overlooked for years” column.

"Stonehenge" Section of the Ballantine Trail

Come to find out, this trail looks a lot better once it moves away from the highway.  A somewhat strenuous climb reveals a landscape of knuckle-and-joint, mica-imbedded boulders, deep gorges and a battalion of regal saguaro cactuses standing sentry. There's even a mini "Stonehenge" passage with nature-sculpted  granite monoliths. Seasonal water doodling through the canyons adds a calming soundtrack to the impressive views. As there is no directional signage at the trailhead, here’s the skinny. From the parking area, the Pine Creek Loop Trail heads off in both directions.  We opted to begin on the south leg (go right) and hiked 1.4 miles to a saddle where wood trail signs (with inaccurate mileage) herald your options.  From here, we continued 2 miles (not 3 as the sign indicates) north on Ballantine Trail to Boulder Flat.  The flat is not signed, but you’ll know you’ve reached it when you come to a “T” trail junction with a rotting wood sign offering little usable information.  This was our turnaround point. However, to continue on Ballantine, go right (southeast) or, take the left track to pick up the Pipeline Trail.

One resolution down--about a million to go.

Boulder Flat

LENGTH: 6.8 miles (as described here). 

Ballantine Trail only: 10 miles one-way

Pine Creek Loop only: 2.8 miles

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2,240' – 3,700' (this hike).  Ballantine Trail only: 2,520' – 4,200'

DOGS: leashed dogs okay, may be too rough for older or inexperienced dogs

KID FRIENDLY:  older kids
BEST SEASON: October -April

South Leg of Pine Creek Loop

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, take Loop 202 east to SR 87 north (Beeline Highway).  Follow SR 87 north to just past milepost 210 (approx 21 miles north of Shea Blvd.) where you'll see the Ballantine trailhead on the right.

INFO: Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35449&actid=50

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35447&actid=50

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