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Sonoran Desert Expedition, Arizona 2004 |
| Date |
4/9-11/2004 (You can also review our exploratory to this area in 2003) |
| Trail Time |
2 Days |
| Location |
Vekol Valley, AZ ( Between Casa Grande and Gila Bend). Sonoran Desert |
| Mapping / GPS / Waypoint File |
.gif Map Image /
Note: Please contact us for additional information and GPS Waypoint and track details. This area is remote, rugged and environmentally sensitive, travel should be limited to well prepared and intended travelers. |
| Trail Rating: 2.5 (1-5 scale) |
3.0: There were several off camber rocky climbs that require ground clearance and good traction (though a locker was not necessary, but would have been easier on the vehicles) |
Permits |
Permit Requirements: This area requires a permit for entrance to the Barry M. Goldwater range and a portion of the Sonoran Dessert National Monument. All persons entering the range are required to have the permit and to call the range hot-line to disclose their intentions.
Permits are available from the Arizona Public Lands Information Center (602) 417-9300. The AZPLIC is located at 222 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix.
Permits can also be obtained from:
the Gila Bend Auxiliary Field
Luke Air Force Base
Gila Bend Auxiliary Field
Range Operations
Gila Bend, AZ 85337
(928) 683-6272
(928) 683-6220
Yuma BLM Field Office (928) 317-3200
Yuma Marine Station-
Marine Corps Air Station
Yuma, AZ 85369
(928) 269-3402
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| Major Obstacle |
None |
| Brush (minor, moderate, severe) |
Severe (expect deep scratches from these lightly used trails) |
| Scenic Value (1-5 scale) |
5: This area is rugged and remote which adds to the beauty and sense of exploration; the 5 rating comes from the indian ruins and overlooks we encountered |
| Attendees |
Scott Brady: 1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Brian: 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Al: Toyota Tacoma Xtra-cab
Dave: Toyota Tacoma Xtra-cab
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| No adventure is complete without great food (at least that is my philosophy). The expedition started with a great 12lb. angus prime rib dinner, slow cooked over mesquite coals at the Brady family ranch near the start of the trail. We camped at the ranch the first night, allowing for an early start into the Desert Sonoran National Monument (SDNM) the next morning. |
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The vehicles lined up for the days adventure and we began our trek south towards the Sand Tank mountains. The desert was green and healthy from the recent rains, affording us the view of blooming Ocotillo (Fouquieria Splendens), Creosote (Larrea Tridentata) and Claret Cup Hedgehog (Echinocereus Triglochidiatus). The trail south is easy, with minor washes and close brush to contend with. At about 4 miles, we entered the SDNM and began climbing towards the Sand Tank mountains, through the White Hills to our east, and the 4,000 ft Maricopa Peak to our west. |
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Blooming Ocotillo |
Dave's Tacoma |
Hedgehog |
Range Warning Sign |
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Johnson Well |
South of Johnson Well, the trail system is lightly used, and becomes rugged as it nears the no access portion of the range. We explored several roads in this area, one of which proved to be exceptionally rugged (for a stock vehicle), and held several natural and man-made wonders to enjoy. The trail climbs to the west quickly as you enter a deep, narrow canyon in the Sand Tank mountains. The trail becomes faint, and brush encroaches on the vehicles. There is a game catchment, with its large fanning concrete surface for collecting water.
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| Johnson Well and the remains of a small town site |
A very healthy portion of Sonoran Desert |
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes Aura) |
A nice rock window / arch |
We saw several interesting birds in the area and could only properly identify the Phainopepla (Phainopepla Nitens) due to its dark color and top notch. The canyon continued to narrow, and the trail begins climbing a series of steep switchbacks, gaining nearly 400 feet in less than a mile. There are a series of natural caves in the area worth exploring. Many have animal fur and droppings present. The view to the east from this location is awesome!
Just beyond the switchbacks is the location of a series of natural Tinajas (catchment), holding a good volume of water.
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Blooming Cholla
(Opuntia Begelovii)
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Brian's Jeep |
Al negotiating one of the switchbacks |
A view east in the canyon |
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The vehicles |
Smaller Catchments |
Al's Tacoma |
Dave's Tacoma |
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Video: Dave climbs one of the more difficult obstacles in the canyon (2.52 mb) |
Video: Al climbs down an off-camber switchback (4.1 mb) |
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The overlook at the end of the Canyon was incredible! |
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The series of switchback reward you with an incredible view to the east to the Sauceda Valley and unnamed buttes and mountains. The Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata) were in full bloom with its dense bell shaped flower clusters. On the way back down the canyon we found a Native American village site, complete with many remains. There were 6 rooms total, with 3-4 foot walls surviving the ages. Several had door openings, and all faced east, towards the bottom of the canyon. The site was within a mile of the natural tinajas, so it was surprising not to find metate there. One of the rooms was significantly smaller than the rest, and likely contained their food stores. There were also two additional rooms located separate from the main group, about 10-15 meters away. These people woke to a beautiful view every morning! |
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A view to the north from the lookout |
More Cholla Blooms |
A view to the south from the canyon |
One of the larger rooms |
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A series of rooms, aligned north to south |
Staghorn Cholla |
One of the larger separate rooms |
A view from the saddle |
| We ended day one by reversing our direction back north to the main westerly route towards Gila Bend which is available at Johnson Well. Though this is the only major trail west, the brush was still close, and several washouts were encountered. This portion of the trail is rated a 2.5. The trail moves NW through a gap set by the Javelina Mountains to the north and the Sand Tanks to the south. Maricopa Peak can be seen to the north, and the trails begins its due west course along the Sand Tank wash. We set camp for day one just NE of Round Butte, at a very level site. |
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Along the main trail west |
Dave tests his approach |
A great campsite! |
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