We took a chance on this not well-documented trail for a Memorial Day Weekend backpacking trip. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about this trail system and zone (below), but generally would recommend this as a warm, isolated, early-season backpack option for folks with way-finding experience.
The road to the trail is in great shape, and the trail overall is in great shape too, only encountered a handful of blowdowns over nearly 20 miles. The area is used for mountain biking and motocross year-round (per a ranger we talked to on the way out), but on our trip we didn't see signs of either until the parking lot on the last day. In fact, we barely saw any humans at all, making it a wonderfully remote experience.
The trail is beautiful, dry, and dusty. There are some giant ponderosas, a burned out section, and a rocky section along the ridge. We started on day 1 by hiking from the Pot Peak TH parking lot to (roughly) Pot Peak. There are very few areas that are flat enough to set up camp, and we ended up scrambling up a rocky section to a wonderful campsite (coordinates: 47.94068, -120.32669). A bit further down the trail there is another campsite that looked pretty nice, and doesn't require a scramble (coordinates: 47.93884, -120.33063).
As for water, on Gaia and other maps, a spring is marked at 47.94628, -120.30667. We'd like to report that this is essentially non-existent, and requires scrambling down through a ravine to get to a trickle of muddy water (members of our party bravely went for it!). But good news- there is a remarkably nice and clear spring a few miles up the trail towards Devil's Backbone (coordinates: 47.93918, -120.36458). The water is so clear, cold, and easily accessible here.
On day 2, we hiked from our campsite to Devil's Backbone, about another 4.5 miles up the trail one way. There was intermittent snow before the spring, with snow crossings as we approached the ridge. This area completely obscures the trail so you'll need Gaia/offline maps to navigate here. Despite the top of the ridge seeming full of trees, once we got up we were able to find a glorious rocky overlook towards the Stuart range. We also saw a pair of Western Tanagers! We hiked back down, hit up the water source, and enjoyed the lovely day and peace and quiet.
Day 3 we hiked down from campsite to the trailhead. Again, barely saw any other humans until the parking lot. The ranger said that people rarely backpack in this area. As mentioned, there was one dirtbiker at the parking lot gearing up to head to the top. So, folks who venture out here should be prepared to share the trail, possibly with dirtbikes or mountain bikers. There is a gorgeous, shaded, rushing river right across from the parking lot to dip your feet in and relax, too. Perfection.
Many thanks to my hiking buddies and to @doogloos for coordinates!
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