AZ- Box Canyon and Coke Ovens, Sat Feb 18

[alrock]

Saturday, February 18
Meet: 9:30 am, Starbucks, US 60 and Greenfield

Box Canyon is a short canyon trail east of Phoenix near Florence. It's a scenic trail with a few modest challenges and maybe a play area at the end (I heard the play area had been closed but it may be open). We'll also visit the Coke Ovens which is a ways further in.

Any Hummer can do this but there's one or two obstacles where a locker is recommended. UCP and rock rails are always recommended but is not required. Some pinstriping is possible.

Attendees:
Alrock
Jerry S.

Box Canyon

Play area (may be closed)

Another play area

The Coke Ovens

 

[Pappibri]

Looks sweet... I am sure it would be a good time.. I have not been out there since I was a lad.. that was about 32 yrs ago, but I'm not telling...:no:

 

[alrock]

Looks like MaxPF and Crawler may need in, as well as Sean (former MnstrH2)

Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk

 

[MaxPF]

Maybe... Todd is complaining about the length of the Coke Ovens trail. I'm guessing the Gila isn't crossable right now... USGS shows a current flow of 175 cubic feet per second, with a gage height of 1.3 feet. Those measurements are taken just downstream of Coolidge dam. Crossing the river is a heck of a lot faster than turning around and running the trail in reverse.

 

[ces1946]

Alex,
Sign me up!
Thanks,
Tim...
2004 H2

 

[Bigunit]

Hey Tim, glad you're going to make it! Any luck with your H1 search?

 

[ces1946]

Patiently watching and waiting....

 

[ces1946]

Is an Arizona State Trust Land Permit or an Arizona Hunting Licenses required for this trip?

 

[j3jackson]

Looks like fun. What the heck is a coke oven?

 

[alrock]

We will not be able to get straight to the Coke Ovens as I hear that the landowner has closed off access. The current plan is to run down from near Superior (Hackberry Creek) and wind our way over towards Box Canyon. I don't know the exact route but Sean knows the trails in this area well.

I'm not aware of any permits needed; however, it is always good to have the State Land Use permit http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/recreation_permit.htm

 

[Bigunit]

Looks like fun. What the heck is a coke oven?

Here's the expanation that I found: the ovens were used to burn and reduce mesquite wood to coke - a type of charcoal - in order to produce a hotter burning fuel, for use in smelting gold and silver ore taken from surrounding mines. The beehive-shaped stone coke ovens are each about 25 feet in diameter and 30 feet in height. Each has a ground level entry and a few upper level vents. The mesquite wood, burned slowly in the ovens for days, yielded the coke. The new fuel was then transported directly across the Gila River to the community of Cochran (now a ghost town) and the nearby smelters.

 

[Bigunit]

Here's the link to download & print a copy of permit application but you must mail it in, as there's no way to submit or pay online.
http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/RecreationPermit.pdf

I guess I better try to mail mine in today if I plan to go. Still not sure if I'll be able to go, but better to be legal than sorry and hit with a fine. There will be a big crowd out there that day as AZ Baja is planning to be on the trails that day too.

 

[ces1946]

I believe applying for a hunting/fishing licence at your local sporting goods store meets the intent of using State Trust Land....and it's almost instantaneous.

 

[alrock]

The state has been very quick to process these. I bet a check mailed today will get a permit back to you by Friday, if not earlier.

 

[ces1946]

Sent my request for an ASLD permit this morning. If I don't receive my permit by Friday then its off to purchase a hunting license. Kenny would like to make it but not sure he can find someone to trade a day off. Luis, I hope you will be able to make it - the trips hosted by Alex and Sean are always a blast.

 

[cbetts]

Looks like a fun trail. Too bad I am busy this month. I look forward to the trail report

 

[LagunaH1]

Ugh, too far away I think.... would like to go though

 

[alrock]

Tim and Luis, I think we can alter the meeting place for you two so you don't have to go out of your way to meet us at the Starbucks. Likely we should meet you at the intersection of 79 and 60, SE corner, in the dirt lot. Let me know what works best for you.

 

[ces1946]

I'll be coming from the area of 67th and Happy Valley (Peoria) - so I'm good to go with where ever the group wants to meet.

 

[ces1946]

Checked the mail this afternoon and was pleasantly surprised to find my ASLD permit - wow, talk about a fast turn around - sent it on Saturday, received it on Tuesday.

 

[alrock]

Excellent!

Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk

 

[MaxPF]

I'm out. So is Todd. We gotta spend the day working on our respective trucks. Especially mine

 

[alrock]

Bummer - but I think y'all were really afraid of being upstaged :wink:

Looks like we may end up doing more stuff around Superior and Hackberry Creek than Box Canyon. The Box Canyon area is pretty limited right now by both private land and public closures. Sean has a good trail for us mapped out.

 

[Jerry S.]

I'm in, anyone remeber me ? Can't wait to go !

 

[MaxPF]

Who da eff are you?! :wink: