Weather: 87ยบ, sunny
Time: 11 hours
About this Hike: I can finally say I've checked Reavis Ranch off my bucket list. Go back two years ago when Woodbury Fire was raging, and I never thought I was going to have the chance to experience this place. Gratefully our wildland firefighters were able to save the ranch site.
Getting to Reavis Ranch is said not to be a day trip. The same is said about Grand Canyon Bright Angel rim-to-river and back. I did that in about eight hours. One also must weigh which trailhead they want to start at for Reavis Ranch. Each has pros and cons.
I opted for the Campaign Creek Trailhead. Near Roosevelt Lake, it's back about seven miles along a dirt road just off AZ-188. In terms of the drive, it sounded like it would be much easier than the 18 miles of rough mountain road to Roger's Trough. The drive was in fact not too difficult. The road has to get at least some degree of maintenance, as the Reevis Mountain School uses it. Still, there are creek crossings and sandy spots. Going in a drier season helped to ensure those obstacles were not an issue.
Once parked at Campaign Trailhead, I started out on Reavis Gap Trail. The distance to Reavis Ranch along Gap trail is about the same as Roger's Trough. However, the elevation gain is much more severe. While portions are burned, there are still wide areas of healthy juniper, pinon, and even ponderosa pine forest. After about 4 hours of grueling hike, I reached the ranch.
It was a surreal experience to finally see this place in person. Once there, you can see just how close the fire came. It was on the ranch's doorstep.
My gut told me to treat this as an out-and-back and return via Reavis Gap. However, the elevation descent looked like it may be more gradual along the Fire Line and then Campaign Creek Trails (I was wrong on that). Combining these with Reavis Gap forms a 16.2 mile loop. I disobeyed my gut.
Fire Line was rocky, scorched, and hard to follow in spots. Eventually, Fire Line traversed a section of thick ponderosa forest that served as a consolation prize. Part of the descent on Fire Line was so steep I had to go down on all fours.
Nightfall came about 7pm. While I was prepared with plenty of water, headlamp, and spotlight, it was still scary. Campaign Creek trail is very hard to follow in spots. Without GPS I wouldn't have made it. After sunset, it took an additional 3 hours to reach the trailhead. When I was nearing the end, I ended up off trail several times. At one point I opened a cattle gate and was in front of a dark cabin. A dim sodium lamp shined on a building in the distance. I had trespassed onto Reevis Mountain School and thought seriously about cutting thru as I knew it would take me to the trailhead. I opted not to, and spent considerable time bushwhacking till I found the correct trail again.
The Superstitions are beautiful at night. Desert primerose began opening their showy white petals. Frogs were peeping in the creek. The stars overhead were magnificent, even if the light pollution of Phoenix was visible on the horizon. As I saw multiple cars still parked at the trailhead, I became slightly envious of the backpackers camping out there. However, night is also when the hunters (mountain lions, bears) are most active. The Superstitions are mystical, beautiful, and demanding of utter respect. It is most unforgiving country.
Thankfully I was prepared. Had I started this hike a few hours earlier (I started at 11am), it likely wouldn't have ended after dark. It's an experience I'm grateful to have had, and yet I wish not to have again.
