ATV 17

(Above Left) You can see the pipe and the road I need to get to. This picture is with a zoom lens and on the other side of the valley. (Below) I always say I hate signs. Sign always restrict something. As you can see I am not able to cross the river and gain access to that road. They have always had that road closed. I don’t understand how they can close a road that me and you own ? APS can burn in HELL !

It’s always a beautiful ride down into the valley and very scenic view that are hard to capture with a camera.

OK here is the deal; APS (Arizona Public Service) that runs half of the power in the state of Arizona has these old generators that sit way down in Fossil creek. One generator is in Irving and one is in Childs. The water comes from Fossil Springs. These generators are going to be shut down. All I want to do is see the source of the water and the pipe before it is lost forever.

I can’t get to the road I want to but I might at least enjoy the trip. Look at how clean that water is Fossil Creek ! This is a great place to be anyway.

I went to a new area, Hardscrabble Canyon and Hells Hole. As you can see from the roads, it is not exactly a well traveled area. Although I said canyon most of the road was at a very high altitude overlooking Fossil Creek and the mountains around Fossil Creek.

As far as Pipes go I have seen the pipe out of Blue Ridge Reservoir and the other end dumping into the start of the Verde River. If you go to the link above you will see the end of the pipes at Fossil Creek. Many people believe this pipe start at Blue Ridge, not true. Maybe someday we will get to see the start of the pipe at Fossil Springs. (When A.P.S. BURNS IN HELL !)

This is a nice area to explore anyway !

I road with the group (R.A.) a month ago to the Crystal Cave at Diamond Point. It was a fun run but I just didn’t have enough time to take pictures. I have had a goofy work schedule and once again didn’t get to plan this ride very well since I didn’t even know if I would go. I did know how to get to Diamond point another way and gave it a try.

The trail/road conditions were excellent, the ground just moist so no dust problem for those riding in groups. Up here above 6000 feet it’s just really chilly at about 55 degrees I think crisp is the correct word ?

Some of the forest roads would be unsuited to low 4wd trucks and other parts almost seem like someone paved the forest with large flat rocks. I guess I need to come back here and try my hand at mining some crystals,,,,someday!

Yes, that is snow on the ground, this may be the last time for many months that we can see the ground. The air is real CRISP up here!
Promontory Lookout Tower was built in 1924 . It replaced a wooded structure that was the highest in the nation at over 120 feet and built in 1913.

This structure is so high it is the only one I have ever seen with guide wires.

It’s that fire tower,,, I heard from another fire tower ranger that this tower is so high that it scared the hell out of them going up. This was the comment from someone that almost lives in a tower. So this only means one thing “ I have to do the tower” I love the rush of adrenalin when I scare the hell out of myself. I just have to wait until fire season so it will be open.

FYI , Bear Canyon Lake looked pretty nice !!!!!!!!