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Date: May 28, 2005 We had three vehicles: Randy in an LX450, Walt, Tammy, and James (and BlueBerry the trip mascot) in an FZJ80, and Marty Martin in a well built Jeep. Marty had a trailer, and he was test driving the rig for a Moab run later this year. It seemed to do very well, and was a sharp set, with the trailer having matching colors, rims, and tires to his Jeep. We met at 9:00 in Superior on I-60 east of the valley. Headed out at 9:10 to Miami/Globe, odometer zeroed in Superior. Stopped in for some propane and gas. What follows are the odometer readings and milestones. The odometer readings are corrected for my tires and gearing, but may not match your vehicle. 20.5 Left/north on 188 out of Globe. 34.5 Right/north onto 288 about 10:00am 41.9 We pass the bottom of Cherry Creek Rd., where we will come out tomorrow 47.0 View point on 188 49.4 We had a suggestion to find an overlook of Roosevelt - this was not it but a 4 mile sidetrack to the west 50.2 Turn around 53.4 Back on 288 north, about MP (milepost) 271 56.0 Real view point is on top of the mesa we climb and circle counter clock wise, MP273. Drive <1/2 mile out to the view point - well worth it. Very steep cliffs and ragged canyons, stiff breeze coming up off the desert, long views of Roosevelt. 56.8 Back on 288 67.1 Turn right/east at Workman Creek. We're trying to get to Workman Creek Falls. 69.6 Road closed at the "Falls" campsite due to soft soil conditions due to the rain this spring. We'll see more evidence of this along Cherry Creek later. We park at the closure and hike the mile up to the falls. Well worth it!! At least 100 ft. waterfall still flowing well. Beautiful country and dramatic setting. Heart stopping rock chasing by BlueBerry. We did not go on to Aztec Mt. look out, but you should if the road is open. 72.0 Back onto 288 77.5 Turn off left/west at McFadden Peak. 78.8 At McFadden Peak. There is another look out tower here. These are folks watching for fires in the National Forests. Major lady bug action (think in terms of square feet of bugs!) and terrific views from up here. 7135 ft. elevation says the sign. 85.1 Turn off right/east at Cherry Creek Rd. 5595 ft. elevation 2:15 pm Saturday. This eventually winds to generally tracking south, but with many twists and turns. 92.0 This is probably the road I should have turned left/east onto to get to the camping spot by Cherry Creek that Joe lead us to a few years back. Cherry Creek Rd. itself actually stays well above the main creek for many miles. 95.5 The shelf road (scenic, not too scary) winds down the valley. As it goes out towards the creek side you get ever changing great views up and down the valley. The cliffs of the Sierra Ancha wilderness area immediately west are spectacular. As the road bends back to the cliff face, you go into 40 ft. sections of "jungle" due to the run off from the hills above. These areas are very wet, lush green, with tall shade trees - and bugs. We camped at one of these having a stream crossing the road. Nice flat area for tents, running water, shade and shelter, and a camp fire ring. This was in a National Forest, by running water, with shade on Memorial Day weekend - and we saw one pickup and two quads during the next 24 hours. Solitude. Met my first authentic "rock hound" - BlueBerry is infatuated with rocks. Fairly strange, but entertaining. We enjoyed a great spaghetti dinner Saturday, had a nice campfire and reveled in the quiet of back country Arizona. Glad Tammy brought the bug spray, but I still got tagged a few times. It was also Tammy's birthday - and Walt brought a cake and candles!! Very much a surprise, and a fun thing for all of us - but especially for Tammy. We saw clouds all afternoon, and indeed some lightening over the hills as we sat around the fire. The light rain came about 10:00, and lasted almost until midnight. Not too much, and it was nice to lay back in a warm sleeping bag listening to the rain drops hit the roof. Trying very hard not to think about getting up to go to the bathroom. Breakfast burritos in the morning, made to order. Chorisa, keilbasa, mushrooms, cheese, and eggs - any combo. Wrapped in a warm tortilla with salsa - great way to start the day. We broke camp and continue south. Headed out Sunday morning about 8:30 am. 98.4 Passed another nice camp site. Bigger, but not as nice a stream running through it. 99.4 Closed gate. 102.5 There is a fire pit on the left, we stop to take pictures of the mountains to the west. After hanging out for a few minutes, Walt noticed a metal sign mounted on a post on the west side of the road, about 15 feet up a low hill. It describes the Indian ruins on the cliff sides up this valley. We are in Pueblo Canyon! There is a trail heading out west, past the sign and into the canyon. We can spot the adobe cliff dwellings with binoculars off slightly to the west-north-west and 1/3 of the way up the cliff face. 104.1 Road closed?!? There we numerous spots where the road had eroded a bit, or rocks/dirt had fallen down on the trail from the walls above. Nothing major, but you had to pay attention. At this point we came onto some "Road Closed" signs - but they were aimed the other way, at people coming up Cherry Creek Rd. There was a section of the road that had washed out a bit, but we could still make it up fairly easily. Still, this was the hardest spot on the road and the rod may have been closed to prevent less capable vehicles from getting into trouble. Bunch of folks that had come up the road had camped here. There were at least 6 vehicles, and many tents. But no people! We assumed they were out hiking, maybe checking out the many ruins that are in the area. We drove past, and continued down the road. 105.3 Pass a turn off down to the creek. 106.3 Finally meet up with Cherry Creek itself, and cross it at Elision Ranch. Elevation has dropped, and it is warming up. 109.6 FR202 turn off to the east 114.4 Dagger Ranch turnoff 125.6 Back on 288 near Roosevelt Lake, at 11:50 am Sunday. We used half a tank Saturday, but almost no gas Sunday as it was mostly downhill. We aired up at the Diversion Dam recreation site where the Salt River enters Roosevelt Lake. We then headed into Globe for gas and Mexican food (in that order!). We found Ed's La Casita East, which was through Globe along I-60, to the left turn onto I-60/AZ-77 - but don't turn left - continue straight on AZ-70 for a half a mile to 1960 Ash St. Great chili, chmichanga, and chicken strips - and a nice patio (which was helpful for BlueBerry). Headed back into the desert from there! A person with a shorter list of "honey-doos" than I could easilty do this run on a two day week-end.
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