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Cactus spring trail to Martinez Canyon Rock House

rockhopper

Posts: 668

4/28/2014

rockhopper

Posts: 668

Hello all. Took a mid week 3 day trek 4/23-4/25 from Hwy 74 along the Cactus spring trail down to Martinez canyon and back. This was the 20 year anniversary of a trip I made to the rock house back in 1994. Weather was good. Lows in the 40's and highs in the 80's. Water of course was my main concern so I packed in about 2 Gals and added water when I could find it.

Day 1
Covered about 6 miles and made base camp at the West side of Martinez peak. It felt good to dump my 60 pound pack!

Day 2
Left around 8am with day pack and 6 pints of water. I boiled water I picked up at Horse Thief creek the previous day. At first the trail was real familiar but then just started to peter out once I made it about a mile passed the pass leading down toward Martinez canyon. The rest of the day was mostly spent X-country.
At the pass with Toro peak beyond.

Agua Alta Spring

Followed of and on again trail to Auga Alta Canyon and found a Native American Village site

Pottery sherds everywhere. Never seen one with a mini knob on it before.

Down toward Martinez canyon

Neat crystals along the way

Martinez Canyon Rock House also known as Jack Miller Cabin in sight!

Jack lived here from 1922 into the 1950's ! Not many folk come here. Register showed only 1 entry in 2012 and 4 in 2013.

Heading back out of the canyon X-Country leaving the cabin below.

Arrived back at base camp at sun set.
Day 3
Hike back out back to the Hwy with a 20 lb. lighter pack and back home.
Little Pinyon Flat with Toro peak beyond

G. Earth path

Total miles 28
Water avail. ( advise Boil / filter)
Horse Thief creek: Yes but low flow. Frogs
Agua Alta Spring: Almost nil. enough for the Birds and Bees
Martinez Canyon: Yes, but only in granite pools. None flowing. Frog.
Big horn poop everywhere.
Mylar balloons: 5
edited by rockhopper on 4/28/2014
edited by rockhopper on 4/28/2014
edited by rockhopper on 4/28/2014

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Cactus spring trail to Martinez Canyon Rock House