Battleground Ridge & Battling a Thunderstorm

Weather:  83°; clouds and sun

About this Hike:  Visiting Battleground Ridge on the Mogollon Rim has been on my bucket list a while. This monument can be driven to via Rim Road (FR-300) and FR-123. However, hiking to it from the Rock Crossing area of the Arizona Trail is also a very doable 11.5 - 12 mile day hike. 

I parked at the Arizona Trail parking area on the side of FR-751. This road leads to Rock Crossing Campground and eventually down to Blue Ridge Reservoir. 

This segment of Arizona Trail begins in forest that is rocky grassland. One area of minor fire damage led to stepping over some downed trees, but it was nothing too challenging. Eventually this hike begins steeply descending into Clear Creek Canyon.  

The trail reaches the fine, rocky bed of Clear Creek, which it traverses at well-marked crossings. Clear Creek is completely dry in this area right now, and you're a little way upriver from where the waters of Blue Ridge Reservoir officially start.

The climb out of Clear Creek is equally steep. In fact, the vast majority of elevation change during this hike occurs climbing up and down the sides of Clear Creek Canyon. Despite the tough elevation change, it's worth taking your time to look around. On the north side of Clear Creek are some cool rock formations and volcanic remnants. On the south side you'll enjoy some of the most varied conifer forest this hike offers. 

Once up and over the creek, the trail becomes an old road. It's also fairly level. I studied the possibility of a shortcut around an area called Battleground Tank. All Trails map even indicates a trail in this area. In reality, there's no trail. In fact, looking at the topographic map indicated I'd have to traverse at least one, if not two, ravines. These were likely steep and in thick forest. I opted to stick to the sure thing and follow the trail.

The old road doubling as Arizona Trail intersects FR-123, which has utility lines running parallel to it. Those lines eventually run up to a Blue Ridge Reservoir pumping station. At FR-123-E there's a signed junction. The pumping station is to the right and Battleground Ridge is to the left, each about two miles from the where the road forks. 

I followed the road up to Battleground Ridge. I was surprised to see some people had setup camp up there. I paused at the monument and read the placards on both sides. I also hiked around the area a little bit, as I know from the map that you're on a ridge that overlooks the lake. For the most part all I found were near-vertical drop offs that would eventually lead down to the lake. The forest and foliage were far too thick to see through. However, I did find one vantage point where I could see the lake. I even saw a kayak go paddling by on the water far below. 

My return was the via the way I came in. It was now almost noon and thunderstorms were beginning to build in. My return hike involved a lot of hustling and pushing myself to go faster, constantly outrunning the dark, thundering clouds that seemed to be chasing me. I guess my strategy worked...I was back to the truck just as the rain started coming down. 

I drove down the rim and into Strawberry for a much-deserved after-hike treat at Pie Bar. 

Blue Ridge Reservoir

Weather:  78, clouds and sun, t-storms

About this Trip:  The canyon-bound, serpentine Blue Ridge Reservoir (also known as the C.C. Cragin Reservoir) has intrigued me for a while now.  This spring’s unfortunate Tinder Fire, my interest in the Rim Lakes, and the recent lifting of all fire restrictions spurred my curiosity about this location. 

The drive is easy from Phoenix.  Take the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) north thru Payson, Pine, and Strawberry.  Turn right at well-signed Forest Rd. 751 and follow it to the lake.  FR 751 is a graded dirt road.

When I arrived Saturday afternoon I expected big crowds from the ‘heavy’ usage rating given by the Forest Service.  My first stop was to setup camp at Rock Crossing Campground.  The fee is $8/night at this campground. 

Admittedly I’ve never been much of a camper, so I’m learning as I go.  Pro tip:  Bring exact change and/or your checkbook (checks are accepted at the self-pay stations).  I ended up finding some kind campers who broke a $20 for me, but I still made a $2 donation above the $8 fee to the USFS.  I’m OK with it because USFS and our public lands are awesome.

No sooner was I checked in to the campground than an aggressive thunderstorm blew in––common on the Rim during monsoon season.  Rather than sit in my car at the campground, I decided to get ready for kayaking and drive down to the lake.  Monsoon storms seldom last long. 

Upon my arrival at the lake, kayakers, swimmers, and paddleboarders were hastily exiting the water––smart idea when lightening is overhead.  Thanks to this mass exodus, I scored one of only six parking spots on the paved boat ramp.  Overflow parking is in the dirt lot up a steep hill. 

The storm slowed briefly, then started up again, this time with hail.  Thankfully it was soft hail and not the type that would’ve done damage to my truck.  In fact, watching the hail hit the lake down in the canyon below was an interesting sight.

Sufficiently sure the storm had moved on, myself and a few other brave souls made our way down the steep boat ramp (the lake is very low right now) and launched.  I went to the right (east) from the launch point.  Within a short time I reached a murky, muddy swamp.  The rich, saturated soil was carpeted with tender, green plants.  Blame the low water levels. 

Turning around, I headed west and then southwest along the narrow, winding lake.  It’s something like a canyon-bound river (minus the current) with steep, etched sandstone cliffs and evergreen high-country foliage.  

Eventually I reached the Blue Ridge Dam.  Testament to low water levels, the spillway loomed no less than 100 feet above me.  There’s no buoy line and you can go right up to this dam if you like.  I prefer to stay away for fear of being sucked under the dam. 

Shortly after passing the dam I had a tipping point.  The sky was filling with dark clouds.  I heard a rumble of thunder.  Nervous and alone on this remote part of the lake, I turned back.  In AZ Monsoon fashion the clouds broke up and skirted the lake.  The intense sunshine returned and I decided once again to pull a 360 and continue up the lake.  Shortly thereafter I reached the other end of the lake.  A muddy swampy mess greeted me again.  All told, I covered this lake at its current fill level in about three hours. 

In the early spring I may want to return to Blue Ridge.  Assuming reasonable winter precip (something 2017-18 lacked) the locals say this lake fills to the brim and the spillway activates.  I’d love to see more of this narrow, winding waterway when it’s full.