Back-country Exploration: FS82

An unexpected day off is a treasure indeed.

After one recently popped up, I decided to go do some more ATV exploring in the Bradshaw mountains of central Arizona. A few solid weeks of genuine cold in the area had left many of the early miles of my journey covered in snow. Yet, only a few miles away, the sun had warmed the peaks and bluffs overlooking the Hassayampa river drainage to spring-like temperatures. Down near the river itself, the weather was warm enough for t-shirts only.

After my usual late mid-day start, I staged on Senator highway some miles south of Prescott. This was actually a blessing in disguise, as I don't think the temps from my planned morning start would have been bearable, and I began to hit patches of snow and mud shortly after heading south. It's been many years and 2000 miles east since I've had to slug my way through this kind of slop....but at least there was no dust to speak of.
Senator hwy crosses a mountain range before it drops toward Palace station, and at the highest points, the road was a snow-covered, frozen mess.There was clear evidence of the local residents' struggles to get out to civilization here. Some of it disturbingly desperate in appearance.
Along with ruts and obvious spinning on the ice, downed trees, and a small rock slide, I observed several discarded floor mats and blankets...a trick to get a vehicle unstuck is to throw them under a spinning wheel, in hopes of getting traction. The most concerning was what appeared to be several attempts to build a make-shift fire in the middle of the road! Perhaps this was just some kids playing around...and I haven't heard of anyone being lost or rescued on the local news, so maybe the fires worked.

After hitting the backside of the mountain, the suns warming rays soon did away with any remaining snow, and the remains of said snow soon became evident by crossing several strongly flowing creeks on my way to historic Palace station. Off-roaders familiar with the area know Palace station as the point where you turn onto FS52 toward Crown King, a popular back-country destination.
I had decided that I would explore the area south of Palace station, and so I continued my journey straight onto what maps alternately refer to as FS82 or Bodie mine road. This area is pine forest and just screams "MINING!". One look at a topo map confirms that many have agreed over the years: The hills are littered with mines.
After negotiating several creek crossing and downed trees, the road splits, with FS82 going in a westerly direction, while 82A goes more to the east. I took 82, and was soon across another mountain range, and looking down into the lowlands of the town of Wagoner, AZ. This was in stark contrast to the chilly terrain that brought me thus far.

Old  ore chute? Near Bodie mine. Hardware in lead photo holds it together.

While investigating an old structure, the ground began to rumble, and soon the source of the noise made itself clear: I'm not the only one enjoying a beautifully sunny Arizona sky.

This has more horsepower than my quad....

Turns out there were 2 of them.

After climbing to a mountain top, 82 skirts the mountains to the west of Crooks canyon while heading south. The desert views are breath-taking, shared on this day by only the odd cow. I couldn't help but stop and enjoy the views of this starkly beautiful land.

Views are awesome.
Somewhere out there is the Hassayampa river bed.

It never ceases to amaze me how much "nothing" can be found out here. Sitting on top of this mountain, there is absolute peace and silence, save for the wind. The amazement of what God has created. Only a twisted old tree stands guard to the passage of time...if time does pass here. Crows meet in its branches and talk about this noisy contraption disturbing their day. And the trail goes on, past old earthworks and miles of fence. The back-breaking labor it must have taken to build these...
Finally, 82 drops into a narrow slot canyon of its own.

Towards the bottom, FS89 follows a canyon, and slow, rocky going ensues. Great place for a mountain lion attack! 

 I had intended to make a loop of 82 and 82A, but I had spent too much time just sitting up high. I decided to simply back-track home ( the allure of those views certainly weighed in this decision ). I enjoyed a tasty lunch of chicken and turkey crackers with cheese near a bend in the canyon. My selected spot was that of what could be a spring, were it able to muster up just a tad more moisture. As it was, it was just damp soil.

Then slowly old red chugged its way back up and out of the canyon, through the bushes, and across the creeks. Stopping only to enjoy the view with its friends, the cow and the crow. And then, on home.

The sentinel.