Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles

Granny J’s curiosity about a favorite spot has caused me to weigh the pros and cons of sharing the location of the Promised Land climbing area.  I’ve given vague directions previously on this site.  The directions will continue to be vague, but they might help Granny J identify where the spot is.

Why be so vague?  Do I like big secrets?  Nope.  Bottom line, getting to the Promised Land takes some doing.  Repeat the last sentence and say, “How true it is.”

Last year, August 11th to be exact, Andy, Brooke, & I found the Promised Land.  It’s funny, we literally wandered the desert for a while looking for it.  We’d been out previously in search of it, and it wasn’t easy to find.  The one map that existed was no longer in print.  Instead, we headed out in the general direction and explored dirt double track after dirt double track.  We didn’t even know for certain that we’d found it at first…..

Today I know the way, and it’s easy to find.  Not easy to get into though, the roads are still rough.  You need a 4×4.  Without one you’ll find several tough spots.

Given the fact that Bill Cramer is doing a new guide for climbers, and including the Promised Land, I’m not too worried about giving the location.  It’s going to be out there soon anyway.

For those familiar with the area this won’t be too hard.  Head to Chino Valley.  Find Perkinsville Rd.  If you’re coming from Prescott Perkinsville Rd will be on your right after the Safeway.  Stop there and get a Gatorade or two.  Once you’ve found Perkinsvill Rd, take it.  You’ll drive to where the pavement ends and you hit a dirt road.  Continue onward past the gravel company.  Soon on your left you’ll see a dirt road to the Haystack development.  Take that road.

Now this is where things get sketchy.  Directions are now going to get vague!

Before reaching Haystack the road splits.  One into Haystack, one along the edge to the left.  Take the road to the left.  You’ll drive along with Haystack on your right, then you’ll be into open land.  Cross a HUGE wash (don’t do this during Monsoons) and stay to the right.  Now there’s a new landmark….the PIPELINE PROJECT has cut a huge swath through the desert.  It looks like a super highway made of dirt.  Immediately after crossing this new “road” hang a left onto a smaller track.  Follow this main “road” for well over a mile.

You’ll hit a major fork soon.  An open triangle shows signs of 4 wheelers off roading every weekend.  Stay left here.  You’ll approach the pipeline road.  Get on the pipeline road (go right) for 1/8th of a mile.  Then take a left onto an almost unseeable double track.  Follow this track (rough) to an old windmill that no longer works (Little Thumb Butte is the backdrop for this windmill).  At the junction near the windmill go left.  Follow this road (super rough) to a roughed out parking lot and you’re there.  You won’t know you’re there, as there’s nothing grand at the lot.  It’s time to hike.  Follow the path north into the dry river bed.  Walk toward the distant rock formations sticking to the river bed.

That’s the story.  Somewhere in Chino you may or may not find the Promised Land.  It’s a wonderful canyon.  Good climbing, fun hiking, great photo opportunities, and if you’re there at the right time you’ll see the swallows nesting throughout the canyon.  You’ll see the red tails looking for the next snack.  And if you forget to bring water you’ll see plenty of vultures waiting on you……

Best bet….drop me a line and sign up for a photo tour of the area.  I’ll take you to see things you might not otherwise on a visit to the area!

This entry was posted on Monday, June 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 am and is filed under Arizona, Digital Photography, Notes from Gadget, Photo of the Day.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.