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Enchanted tower access?

Original Post
lin murphy · · boulder · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 480

Going there 3rd week April. Is there any access issue?

Lin in Boulder

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625

If you are able to use the quicker access road in; do not drive on the road after sunset. If you arrive after dark, camp somewhere else for the night and drive in, in the morning.

Dave Wachter · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2006 · Points: 695

If you get there after dark, camp at Datil Well. It's cheap ($5?) and decent camping. The ranchers are disturbed by people driving in after dark, so you don't want to do that because:
1) You'll be an asshole to the ranchers, who are responsible for the direct easement road, and
2) The disgruntled ranchers will lock the gate, in which case you'll also be an asshole to those of us climbers who are trying to do the right thing.
By the way, please do NOT park on the ranchers' property. They use the turnaround that may look to city folk like a good place to leave their Prius so it doesn't get dirty or dented on the rocky road past the gate.

Paul Winkler · · San Mateo, CA · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 265

It is pretty easy to find this info out if you just click on the access information link on the Tower's page. It's open for the time being.

Peter Franzen · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 3,730

Wow, I'm glad I checked this thread. I wanted to come check it out over the holiday weekend.

Is it too hot to climb there in the middle of summer?

Alex McIntyre · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 546
Peter Franzen wrote:Wow, I'm glad I checked this thread. I wanted to come check it out over the holiday weekend. Is it too hot to climb there in the middle of summer?
By no means. Last time I was there we got hailed on in July.
RyanJames · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 505

Can anyone tell me the condition of the 4WD road? Would a 4WD Suburu make it back there? What about a Tacoma with rear differentials? Any beta would be appreciated.

ryandb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 0

Bump on Davenport road access. Anybody been in that road this year? I'd appreciate an update on road conditions.

RyanJames · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 505

Thanks for the info... I always pack out the crap, too. The Hill of Crap is pretty darn disgusting.

1Eric Rhicard · · Tucson · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 10,101
David Sahalie wrote: ... and pack out your crap.
We leave it for you to stir up David! Haha.
Meghan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined May 2008 · Points: 390

The 4x4 road was in good shape for a truck as of Memorial Day weekend, but only a VERY intrepid Subaru driver would use it. The smoke from the major fire in the Gila Wilderness was so bad that the sun was red and people who hadn't been out of the camp site in a few days were worried that the fire might be close by. It was bad enough to probably really bother people with allergies. It cleared up whenever the wind changed. As for the trash and crap situation, it looked like people had been fairly responsible lately.

LeeAB Brinckerhoff · · Austin, TX · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10,288
Meghan wrote:The 4x4 road was in good shape for a truck as of Memorial Day weekend, but only a VERY intrepid Subaru driver would use it. The smoke from the major fire in the Gila Wilderness was so bad that the sun was red and people who hadn't been out of the camp site in a few days were worried that the fire might be close by. It was bad enough to probably really bother people with allergies. It cleared up whenever the wind changed. As for the trash and crap situation, it looked like people had been fairly responsible lately.
Yeah, the smoke was heinous on Saturday, Sunday was great though. Our friend in a Toyota Highlander 2wd got stuck in a ditch on the side of the road on the way in. As for the crap situation...

Right at a Y junction in the trail leading away from one of the camp spots, maybe 50 feet...nice.
Glenn Schuler · · Monument, Co. · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,330

Holy Shit! That's a tournament turd, was your lens set on macro? Nasty.

J. Albers · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,926

Seriously, what the f*ck is wrong with people. That kinda thing totally justifies a burlap sack full of sweet valencia oranges.....doesn't leave a bruise and really gets the message across.

LeeAB Brinckerhoff · · Austin, TX · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10,288
Glenn Schuler wrote:Holy Shit! That's a tournament turd, was your lens set on macro? Nasty.
Glenn, I don't know about you, but I have no desire to get close enough to that to need a camera on macro, besides I don't know if my phone has it.
1Eric Rhicard · · Tucson · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 10,101

Hey we Arizonans are trying to re-vegetate an obviously degraded ecosystem! So, it really is nice. Maybe if you all spread a little more fertilizer there would only be one trail there.

Haha! I have made the cast, lets see who gets hooked.

Actually, the constant pooplaints made me realize that I learned how to deal with my poop from my mentors. Until they clued me in I did my stuff and covered it with pine needles or whatever. In this day and age of busy crags we need a way to get the out door etiquette message to all the folks that arrive with no clue and no one to help them.

Hmmmm. Think about how to do this and start a new solution thread where all pooplainers are banned and only solutions will be tolerated.

Thanks

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625
1Eric Rhicard wrote:In this day and age of busy crags we need a way to get the out door etiquette message to all the folks that arrive with no clue and no one to help them. Hmmmm. Think about how to do this and start a new solution thread where all pooplainers are banned and only solutions will be tolerated. Thanks
I think every climbing gym should have a "How to Shit in the Outdoors" poster or pamphlet for newbies to take home. It should also be posted at any popular climbing area that has a kiosk.
Geir www.ToofastTopos.com · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 2,751

Totally nasty! UGH!!

It would be really nice for folks to inform newer/unknowing climbers on some guidelines for crap. I don't know if it would have made a difference in this case as it is so over the top that it looks deliberate.

ClimbPHX.com · · Mesa AZ · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,135

+1 to Red's commnet - Some of us here in AZ have tried to do different education events - at least three different Leave No Trace events that I know of to try and educate including classes and training - the Subaru Travelling trailers came to my CLimbPHX.com events ect ect but no one cares. It's indicative of a society that is more concerned with personal cares and wants and less about the ecosystem ( human and otherwise) around them. Its a shame. We tried to promote the clean up at the McDowells recently and I was told " That's not a climbing spot - the rock sucks" and that was the excuse not to assist. Everyone else was too busy with climbing up north to get away from the heat.
Too many takers, not enough givers imho and its starting to show in more wild places.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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