I camped around Arizona for around 60 days in a small tent stuffed into a two seat sports car with my mountain bike hanging off the back. From Ten-X campground, there is a power line on the east side of Az highway 64. Following that power line is a rough, rocky road for the line crew to inspect the line. It makes an interesting ride or hike. I biked south to the first dirt road intersecting the trail. Went ESE for a few miles. A word of caution. Forest roads often cross private lands with gates to keep livestock on their land. It is legal to open the gate, unless posted otherwise. Kindly close the gate behind you.

I intersected another forest road headed south and intersected forest road 305. I could see a large, conical shaped mountain before me and took 305 along the NNE side of the mountain. I later found this to be Red Butte, Elevation 7326. I could see something shiny at the top of the mountain. After about a mile, there was a road headed to the saddle between the mountain peaks. I followed the road until I could not maintain traction, parked the bike behind a tree and proceeded to hike the rest of the way. There is a trail headed to the top of the peak from the saddle. Here I found a square, silver colored building with windows around.

After being introduced to the dog, a woman came out and invited me in. As it turned out, this was a forest fire watch tower. My, what a view. I could see all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Humphries Peak, the highest peak in Arizona, and beyond. The woman showed me the map and spotting system developed by the forest system to spot forest fires. They could then report any fires they saw.

I noticed box after box of paperback books. Not much else to do but read. Everything was solar power operated with not a lot of contact with the outside world May through September. I noticed a bible in the pile and commented about peace in the Lord and Him watching over her and her husband(husband was in town that day).

Water bottles filled, I rode the same route back to Ten X. Trip miles--around 35. Time 4-5 hours.

Were you able to identify any trail names along the way? It's always nice to have pleasant surprises along a trail - the lookout tower w/person and such great views. Have you thought about taking GPS coordinates along the way, especially on unmarked trails? You might also consider establishing Virtual Geo Caches with a GPS for such destinations as the one you described in this thread - that would be cool.

. . . Fred

Hi Fred and Suzi,

Have not been this way for a while. Finally figured out how to change password. To answer Fred. I had little else but the Delorme Arizona printed topos. Didn't have any electronic help. In fact, I went on memory of studying the Delome.

What I posted was from a number of software programs. My computer is loaded with various Delorme, Rand McNally, Microsoft Trips, and National Geographics programs. I could recreate the route from those programs, however, part of the thrill of trekking in areas unknown, is learning to trust your senses.

On that trip, my bike tires got caught in a road rut. Got thrown off the bike. The shin on my right leg got scrapped up a bit. Had enough stuff with me to handle the situation.

Almost a dozen years have past since that trip. It remains vivid in my mind because I dared to take a trip in South Rim Country, on its terms. After reading what I've just typed----expect the unexpected. Your life will be better for it.