Sierra Ancha / Pueblo Canyon trail (bushwhack)

Goal 1: Christmas Vacation

Goal 2: much needed relax

Goal 3: go to young and collect clay

Goal 4: collect Serpentine (green soft rock)

Goal 5: place Fremont piling replica figurines

We started our travels on December 20th with the Adventure Seeker travel home from Weston, Idaho. The weather was exceptional for December and had no issues at all. We traveled until our butts where flat in the seats of truck and decided to stop in Flagstaff at Black Barts Rv park and restaurant. It was an interesting stop at the restaurant. A gem in the rough indeed. They had live music from all the waitstaff and we had some of the best smoked Prime Rib that we have ever had. The Chef even visited our table with a greeting and smile, asking how the meal was. Exceptional, we replied. Maybe because we had been traveling, or maybe it was truly the best. The next morning we arose before the sun as the traffic next to the rv park was something we are not accustomed to. On the road again to head to the Achas. We camped where we camped the year before, although the spot was further than probably most would take a toy hauler of 40′. We set up camp, decorated a Christmas cactus and took a short drive before we went back to camp to settle. The next day was gonna be a long and grueling one. The night was way more peaceful then the one before. Up the next morning early, drove over 18 miles in the Xpedition to the trail head. The onX Backcountry says it’s only 3 miles in and out but I started the Garmin and it begged to differ. I walked 9.11 miles from rig back to rig and approx 3500 ft elevation change according to my Garmin. We placed 2 replica figurines in the dwellings, which are the prize at the end of the trail. There will be no GPS coordinates, the pueblos is the locations. Look around if you read this first. They are not hard to find.

The next morning we traveled to Young, Arizona over the Sierra Ancha. There was a documented clay source we wanted to get. Our first stop was at Buddi’s gas station where the lady there was very nice and informative after living there for 35 years. There is a museum but found it is by appt only. We collected 2 – 5 gallon buckets worth of brown clay, then back to town to eat lunch at the Hitching post where the menu is one item, the daily special. Each day is different but no options you eat what they have for the day. Young is a cute little sleepy town where the school houses k-12 in one building with only an office and library to separate the years. Also, the only way into and out of Young, aka Pleasant Valley is by dirt roads. This was a highlight for sure. I could only imagine living there and would find it quite nice.

GPS: The ruins at the end of Pueblo Canyon Ruins Trail.