Box Canyon ~ 10/12/02 - 10/13/02
Picture driving through a narrow,
twisting canyon; only a slice of the sky is visible, the
rest obscured by rock. Boulders lie strewn through the canyon,
obstacles to ride. Further down the trail is a hidden stand
of trees drinking in the desert stream. Occasionally you
will see evidence of man: mineshafts and decrepit buildings.
And this still isn't the end - doubling back, we are on
to the Coke Ovens. Built long before Xterra roamed the earth,
the ovens are at the end of a fun & challenging trail.
Somewhere, just another couple of hundred yards, awaits
our camp. We will spend the evening telling stories over
an open campfire, grilling food, drinking refreshing beverages,
watching the stars.
This trip deserves two warnings:
#1) This trip is 4x4 only. With care & gentle driving
it is passable by a stock Xterra, we did last year. There
are several boulders that look MUCH worse than they appear.
If you haven't done so already, it is highly recommended
that you remove your aluminum side rails. It is possible
that one of the boulders will drive your rail into your
panel, or even worse, a tire.
#2) Although minimal through most of Box
Canyon, Martinez Cabin, and Coke Ovens, trails near the
Gila River are VERY LIKELY to cause AZ Pinstriping.
I don't mean to scare nobody off, but
you need to know. The most challenging portion is the stretch
to the Coke Ovens. The most likely to cause pinstriping
is beyond the Coke Ovens. For those that do not have the
time or inclination, you can easily & quickly return
home after lunch at Martinez Cabin, or the next stop at
the Coke Ovens. The same for the non-campers - you can come
along for a great drive & simply be home in time for
the evening news (unless you live on the west side).
Meeting Place:
Gas Station at Florence Junction: 1/4 mile east of intersection
of US60 & AZ79, about 10 miles east of Apache Junction
and the last best chance for gas, ice, chips, and beverages.
Meeting Time:
8:45, depart at 9 AM
What to bring:
- food for Saturday lunch & dinner, and Sunday's breakfast
- camping gear
- standard trail running gear
- dogs and/or kids, if you got 'em - borrow if you don't
- water, and more water
- camera
- happy, good to be away from work & town, attitude
Why do we do this? The White Canyon Wilderness
is beautiful - and the trails are FUN!!!
