Turkey Creek Day Run - 04/05/2025 - Trip Report

[SonoranWanderer 717]

Saturday @Michael Trapschuh, @Trent and I met up at the start Turkey Creek run. It was a pleasant day weather wise and we decided up front we were in no hurry and would explore some side routes along the way.

 

Led by @Michael Trapschuh we dived into Black Canyon Creek and our first side route led us to a rock wall and we decided to turn back to the main trail. We traveled on and later dropped back into into Black Canyon creek just southeast of the Howard Copper mine area. Down in the creek headed south and explore the old rock "building" you can see from the main trail.

 

After exploring the old building we headed back up to the main trail, on through the Howard Mine area and to The Ledge. In my photo album you may see a notice Jeep (nicely built TJ) that for a very brief period followed us through The Ledge. On through Dead Cow Gulch we went. Aside, the DCG and north section of the trail, the nearby crossings though Black Canyon Creek, have gotten a lot smoother haven been plowed to make it easier for heavy equipment to move through. 

 

On past the Howard Silver Mine we decided to venture east and checkout the Thunderbolt Mine. The decision had been made by the group about the time I was passing the turnoff as tail gunner. So we went in reverse and I led the charge up the side trail. This side route has seen no love in a long long time. It was definitely pinstripe alley. This side venture forms a loop with an extended leg up the hill to the high mine. As a group we made it to the loop turn off and I ventured forward. As I worked my way up the hill past the loop point, a decision was made that the group would not follow me due to the extreme trail conditions. I however was caught in a point of no return. The trail was too narrow and more difficult than I wanted to try and back out of so I forged on to the mine where I expected (hoped really) to be enough room to pull a 180. This leg section was extreme pin stripe alley, and I got off camber about 28 degrees due to severe trail washout once up and once coming down. I do not recommend this trail leg unless you are very experienced. And I absolutely don't recommend it for any vehicle lager than a JLU/JKU. The view from the mine is nice.

 

Once I got down from the mine, we retraced our tracks back out to the main trail and with Michael back in the lead ventured on toward the Poland Creek turnoff. We turned west and dropped into the creek where we stopped for lunch. After lunch I took the lead through and along Poland Creek. It was my suggestion and I figured if it was any worse than I remembered from five years back, I should be the one to get in trouble first. Poland Creek turned out to be quite easy, easier than I remembered. Once past the French Lily Mine, I returned to my normal and oft favorite position as tail gunner.

 

Michael led us on out to Cleator where we enjoyed little break (thanks @Trent!) and split out on our various ways.

 

I personally headed toward the Blue Bell mine, then east up the hill to Spring Valley / Mayer attempting to wander a fair bit of the way back toward Cottonwood via dirt.

 

All in all, a great day with awesome people poking around Arizona's back country!

 

My Google Photo Album of pictures and videos from the day.

Edited April 7, 2025 by SonoranWanderer

[Michael Trapschuh 61]

Thanks @SonoranWanderer,  @Trent for the great trip last Saturday.

 

Outstanding "Trip Report" presented by @SonoranWanderer

 

There was no water in the creek this time, we'll need to redo when the water is flowing! 

 

Thanks to Carol, my wife, for additional pictures!

[SonoranWanderer 717]

Select pictures from my linked album:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Luke Dawson 1]

On 4/7/2025 at 7:45 PM, SonoranWanderer said:

Select pictures from my linked album:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

amazing