Trail Run - Turkey Creek 5/17

Aren't those wide AF?

 

no, you're thinking of the SXS Comp tires.

Baja Boss XS:

https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/light-truck-tires/baja-boss-xs

 

Gotcha, was gonna say, I thought those were like 13.5" wide

 

Lol! Yeah no thanks

 

Probably was north or Oreo when they ran under the truck lol explains what the sounds was

 

Look out pizza cutters - we've got the rolling pins coming in.

 

Had to make a run out to @Yacob_D place to clear some room for the new meats. Thanks Jacob much appreciated

 

Yeah buddy! What tire did you end up going with?

 

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT

 

Anyone know of some good camp spots around Charouleau Gap? If you do message me. I need some Ideas for the run end of this month. Probably need camp spots for Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Looking at satellite looks like no really good options near either side start/finish areas

 

Yeah, that's what I originally did was look at satellite also and didn't see much. I may just do a meet at the trail head Saturday morning and we can find a camp spot after the trail. I'm not real thrilled about doing it that way I prefer a plan.

I will keep looking though.

 

I've camped in this area a few times as I've been living out of my truck. Let me check my Gaia and see what I have noted.

Alright:

South of Oracle, and just west of Peppersauce Campground, there are some larger sites there.

32.53874, -110.72478 or thereabouts.

About .6 miles from S. Mt. Lemmon Rd the trail gets a bit more gnarly (large river rocks) and there is a large site under a cluster (iirc) of rather large trees. There was water present when we were there (basically a year ago actually) which was pleasant.

The drive back to Oracle to the north end of the Gap trail isn't too bad either.

A less ideal campsite can be had in this general area, for the turnoff to the Biosphere 2.

32.59973, -110.85922

Some road noise iirc, but a quick and dirty site that could work.

This one is north of the 77, but another quick and dirty site iirc (marked this one but didn't stay at it).

32.66785, -110.71030

All the others I have are too far away I think.

No sites on the Saddlebrook side unfortunately.

 

This is a day trip for me so never had to camp around there. I’ll ask some friends for other recommendations but have a few less than ideal thoughts.

Rail X Ranch in Catalina is state trust land (I think), should be able to find some room there. Fairly close but not at the trailhead.

Peppersauce as noted above is an actual campground and a little bit further up the road in Oracle. There is a cave that can be explored there and it’s also the starting point for Rice Peak (fun with a cool payoff but not challenging by our standards) or backside to Mt Lemmon (if it’s open yet, easy Sunday drive by our standards but takes you to our little mountain town which has tons of camping options and a cookie cabin) if we want to stack anything with the gap.

The Tucson Wash trail is also close to both of these and is another fun, though moderate trail if we’re trying to stack anything. Believe this one practically dumps you out near I-10 for those heading back up to Phx.

 

Peppersauce is definitely a true campground, but up that trail I mentioned is not within the bounds of the campground and is free. The campground is located inside the curve of the road.

 

Ah, got it, good point, there are for sure some dispersed sites around there and also after the turn for Rice Peak too.

 

There's several areas along the trail to camp. I would probably pick a spot in Tucson wash or rail x to camp the night before though. Run the trail the next day to oracle and then head up the mt. Lemon back road for camp. Same road as peppersauce... once you get closer to the top there are numerous great camp spots in the pines. That's what we did last time I put together a run through there. The next day you can go up into town at summerhaven. Check out the ski lift, grab a bite to eat etc.... or back down to oracle and do the same. The backside of mt. Lemon has some great views of the San Pedro River valley.

 

Do you know where to check if the control road is open yet?

 

That was September 2017, Good times. That camp spot up high was good too

 

Forest service or the mt lemon fire district. It's usually closed until the snow is gone or April something. But i don't think they bothered this year because we haven't had any significant snow.

Edit: but I have been caught up there with gates closed while camping. And that's a bitch!