This past Sunday Datrupr and I took the morning to explore the Tonto Nat'l Forest North of Cave Creek and near the Verde River.:wings:
We took Bloody Basin Rd, beginning from I17, and wrapped around all the way to the Verde River. Bloody Basin is about 27 miles to the first turn off where you can either to South to Cave Creek, 38 miles, or East 12 miles to Sheep’s Bridge.
Sheep’s Bridge is exactly that, it is a ~700' long x 3' wide suspension bridge that was built for the sheep herders in the area to move their flocks back and forth across the river. It was last used in 1979 and a new bridge has been built to commemorate the significance of the original. More details in the pictures.
Standing on the bridge, 200’ over the river, we could clearly make out bear tracks pressed into the muddy bank!:elkgrin:
Just south of the bridge is the first of two water crossings of the Verde River on the trail that takes you South and out of Tonto. I can’t tell you exactly where that trail exits as we did not continue.
The first water crossing was doable with a depth of about 3 feet, a steep entry bank, a gradual exit and a obstacle free bottom but we only know this because my sister walked it for us! With Aarons knowledge of the approach from the other side we knew that this was only one of two crossings. With the rain from the day before this first crossing was also moving fast and was the deepest that Aaron had ever seen, this meant that the second crossing was most likely deeper, faster and wider. With time and crossings a concern we opted for the road back via crown king witch is wide, groomed and fast, with enough turns to find that breaking point between 20 and 40 mph at which 20lb of tire pressure and loose groomed gravel will allow your back end to kick out! :smiley_drive:
More pics at: http://www.expeditionportal.com/images/thumbnails.php?album=16&page=1
We took Bloody Basin Rd, beginning from I17, and wrapped around all the way to the Verde River. Bloody Basin is about 27 miles to the first turn off where you can either to South to Cave Creek, 38 miles, or East 12 miles to Sheep’s Bridge.
Sheep’s Bridge is exactly that, it is a ~700' long x 3' wide suspension bridge that was built for the sheep herders in the area to move their flocks back and forth across the river. It was last used in 1979 and a new bridge has been built to commemorate the significance of the original. More details in the pictures.
Standing on the bridge, 200’ over the river, we could clearly make out bear tracks pressed into the muddy bank!:elkgrin:
Just south of the bridge is the first of two water crossings of the Verde River on the trail that takes you South and out of Tonto. I can’t tell you exactly where that trail exits as we did not continue.
The first water crossing was doable with a depth of about 3 feet, a steep entry bank, a gradual exit and a obstacle free bottom but we only know this because my sister walked it for us! With Aarons knowledge of the approach from the other side we knew that this was only one of two crossings. With the rain from the day before this first crossing was also moving fast and was the deepest that Aaron had ever seen, this meant that the second crossing was most likely deeper, faster and wider. With time and crossings a concern we opted for the road back via crown king witch is wide, groomed and fast, with enough turns to find that breaking point between 20 and 40 mph at which 20lb of tire pressure and loose groomed gravel will allow your back end to kick out! :smiley_drive:
More pics at: http://www.expeditionportal.com/images/thumbnails.php?album=16&page=1