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We will be hiking and boating on this camping trip. The Blue Ridge
Reservoir is a fine place to do canoeing and kayaking. No big power
boats are allowed and large sail boat do not work well in the canyon, so
there should be only small boats. The canyon is very steep sided, so
the animals feel safe to come to the water edge. We will be staying at
the Rock Crossing campgrounds, but some persons may want to come up on
Saturday to just do the hike. We will do the boating part of the camping
trip on Friday and Sunday, so bring your kayaks & canoes. Rock Crossing
is about 2 miles by road from the water, but as the crow flies 600 foot.
Sunrise and sunset will be over the water. The campground was redone in
2010, so it should be a nice place.
The hiking part of this trip will be on the Arizona Trail Segment 28,
which runs right next to the Rock Crossing campground. The trail runs
from the campground down 600 feet to East Clear Creek as it runs into
the reservoir. The trail is in the pine forest of the Mogollon rim.
The trail continues up the other side of the canyon and then all the way
to the city of Pine. The only hard part of this segment is the down and
up to get across East Clear Creek. We will start the hike at 9AM at the
trail head off FR 751 next to the campgrounds. After the hike we will
return to the campgrounds and those that drove up can come and relax.
The weather may be sunny or not. Be prepared for the weather. Bring a
hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and some rain gear.
Required:
• Sturdy hiking boots
• At least 3 liters of water
• Rain poncho
• Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Recommended:
• Camera
• Binoculars
• kayaks & canoes
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June 2 day hike:
distance: 6 miles round trip
time: 5 hours
EC: +-600' elevation change
range of elevation: 7,300' (Campgrounds trailhead) to 6,700' (East Clear Creek)
on trail: 100% —
Arizona Trail, passage 28
hike rating: "C"
Rate yourself as a hiker.
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Cost:
There is an $8 per vehicle per day charge for the campgrounds. Most camp
sites are for a single vehicle. Camp sites are first come first served.
The club allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member.
Riders, please share gas expenses with the drivers. The campgrounds
does allow small motor homes (less than 32 feet).
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Weather conditions:
Payson
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Dogs allowed: no |
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Trip Leader:
Please confirm by the afternoon of May 1.
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Meet:
If I can find a person for the day hike then 7:00 AM on Saturday,
June 2. in the parking lot of the
Target Center on the south side of Shea Blvd., about a mile west
of Highway 87 (Beeline). Carpooling arrangements
will be made here. For those leaving their vehicles behind, please
park up against the North curb of the parking lot.
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Drive:
Take AZ 87 though Payson, Pine and Strawberry, past Clints Well and
about 5 miles to FR 751. Turn right on to this dirt road and travel
about 3 miles to the entrance to the campground. Camp sites are first
come first served.
Just north of milepost 295 on AZ 87 is the right turn on to FR 751.
This is a good dirt road that a car would have no problem with.
Do not take any of the side roads, as they get rough fast.
The Arizona Trail is about a mile from the camp site.
As you are coming in, you will get to a sign on the right
“No Roadside Camping” plus a cattle guard; on the left is
the Arizona Trail sign with a small parking lot. Please park here.
We will start hiking at 9:30.
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