Two Guns, Canyon Diablo - AZ., 07 Oct 06

[crawler#976]

'nuther great adventure!

The town site of Two Guns is fascinating. One wonders at the hardiness of folks who'd live in buildings like these. Broiling hot in summer, freezing cold winters with winds pretty much constant year round. The Rock House was another example of the same fortitude, yet even more isolated.

Canyon Diablo at Dog Valley looks to be pretty extreme from the topos, but we found it to be vehicle accessible. Unique high desert terrain and cowboys with a sense of humor. The gate into Dog Valley proclaimed it to be the "Dog Valley Bed and Breakfast". There was also an almost unreadable mileage post with signs for Payson, Oregon, and Colorado on it. Still carrying a load of mud from the trail into Dog Valley!

We took a side road that paralleled Canyon Diablo and came across a very scenic overlook. Saw a nice young bull elk dash down the canyon.

BX has placed a new Geocache for you to find south of Canyon Diablo. It's off a neat road all the way to Hwy 87. Aired up and headed home!

Thanks to BX and Amy, and Jeff, Apryl and Robert, for making time for the trip!

Mark and Tami

 

[crawler#976]

This was also the first opportunity I'd had to use the 2M on a trip. Vastly superior to the CB I was using at the same time! Got confused a few times grabbing mikes tho. 2M Simplex transmissions were so much clearer, even at a range of 20 miles or more. I first made contact with BX at the Arizona Divide (Mile post 189) west of Flagstaff as he was exiting I-40 at Winona to the west (mile post 211).

couple more pic's

 

[Ursidae69]

I just camped at Two Guns last night as I was heading back home. Got too tired to continue around 1am and drove north from the exit a few miles and crashed out. Explored it some this morning. It's a great area, I love the grasslands around there. Wish I could have made the run. Cool photos you posted. :bowdown:

 

[crawler#976]

COOL! North of the exit is the old town site of Canyon Diablo - it's on the east side of the canyon near the modern railroad bridge. Not much left tho.

 

[articulate]

Taking photos in the middle of the day ain’t easy bro. And you managed to lay some claim to those gorgeous, crisp blue skies. Excellent job.

 

[crawler#976]

Mark, Thanks!

The sky was absolutely awesome on Saturday. Windy as hell, but crystal clear w/ just enough clouds for contrast.

 

[4wheelingmirage]

Thanks again for letting some noobs join up with you guys. We had an AWESOME time and will definatly be back up there for more exploring in the near future.

Just as a side note on Sunday we ended up hooking up with my Bro and SIL in Payson and went and checked out the Long Lake Trail (in the Backcountry Adventures Book).

I'm here to tell you that's one of the most beautiful lakes I've seen in Arizona. The blue sky the rocks the water. It was beautiful. I have half a mind to drop a cache up there just to get people up there.

I'll post pics of the trip once I get my 35mm developed...our digital didn't make it back from Iraq in working order.

Thanks again and we had a GREAT time!

 

[Scott Brady]

Mark, that canyon is impressive!

Glad you had a great time.

 

[datrupr]

Mark, sounds like a great trip with great scenery. Amazing photos to boot. Sorry I missed this one. Next time buddy.