Mt.Graham Ice Cave

[Rokrover]

Stores and provisions have been squirreled away in our Chinook for over a month now, awaiting a compelling destination to escape an unusually hot Summer. Our moment finally came when I was alerted to an undeveloped campsite at the end of an obscure Forest Service road that dead-ended along a spur on the west flank of Mt.Graham. Here a deliciously cool alpine climate beckoned, along with the opportunity to explore new terrain within an easy day’s drive from home.

My informant had no problem flinging his Jeep along the Forest Service road but he cautioned us fogies, handicapped by a lumbering Chinook, to take care in a few spots. The crux section turned out to be an axle-deep bog oozing mud after recent rain. Here the Chinook’s mass provided sufficient momentum to carry us through after we threw caution to the wind.

After that we had no problems reaching the primitive turnaround site nestled amongst pines where prior campers had thoughtfully completed a crude rock fireplace. Somehow it’s just not camping without a crackling log fire, as long as it’s not indoors or escapes into the wilderness! Next morning I was sufficiently refreshed by strong tea to climb a rock outcrop above the Chinook to get a better view of formations flanking Soldier Creek, where a mythical Ice Cave had been marked on an old map.

The site is kind of secret as it has no official recognition by the Coronado National Forest Service. Furthermore, the cave is not obvious from a distance, so finding its location is even more challenging. I judiciously made mental note of a probable location under a granite bluff that now attained priority status on our visitation list for the next day.

The bluff turned out to be a short hike down from Soldier Creek Campground and sure enough there was a cave tucked underneath. Well, not a cave really, but more of a deep fissure or crevice between blocks. The entrance was hidden under a chockstone and a few contortions led inside where the absence of ice was a bit of an anticlimax, although the interior was still cool late in Summer. The crevice continued ominously into darkness where exploration without flashlight and rope was unwise. I conclude the Forest Service doesn’t publicize this interesting feature for obvious safety reasons.

I returned to daylight and scrambled up a rock slab to join my wife who tethered our unruly Schnauzers while admiring the splendid view across Soldier Creek. This spot definitely has become one of our top destinations on Mt.Graham. Maintenance was required on the way home at a car wash with high-pressure spray to remove caked mud jammed under the wheel wells after our brief slalom through the bog. Once again, our Chinook has proven nimble enough for mountainous boondocks that some might view as an indulgent boondoggle.

[Blue~Go]

What a great spot. And the way you wrote about it I felt like I was there, throwing caution to the wind, mud-a-flyin. Chinook coming through! A delightful campsite as a reward. I can hear the quiet.

And there is nothing like the alpine coolth after a hot desert day. Aaaahhhhhh.

[Rokrover]

A few more photos now the site permits three per post again...

First, behold mud-caked duallies after the bog encounter that makes me glad we ditched the wheel simulator bling! Also note the Cooper Discoverer tire tread pattern is definitely not self cleaning, despite the reassuring M+S designation.

Next, I like this image of pines reflected in the Chinook’s window that reminds me of an enigmatic Rene Magritte painting. The campsite mood shifted with the light and was even more beautiful under the almost full moon. I watched in vain for bears shuffling about as Mount Graham is known for the largest concentration of black bears in the Southwest. Perhaps we were foolish hiking without pepper spray, especially with tasty puppies on leash.

The third photo captures the scenic beauty of Mount Graham and shows our campsite ridge in profile as it continues down to Fort Grant. It was 88 degrees in the lowlands at 4,000’ while we were much cooler at 9,000’. The campsite became quite chilly at night and the 42-degree low prompted the first ignition of our Suburban furnace this season.

[Rokrover]

The final three, as I neglected to show pictures of the Ice Cave.....

[Scott]

That sure looks pleasant. I can smell the pines. Thanks for sharing ...

Did your Honda log any trail time during this adventure?

[Rokrover]

Hi Scott,

Mount Graham falls under the Coronado National Forest management program administered by the USDA Forest Service. Officially designated activities are Scenic Driving, Horse Riding, Camping, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing and Picnicking. OHV activities there are limited so we did not tow the Honda.

Perhaps the most popular destination is Riggs Flat Lake at the end of the Swift Trail access road, as it is stocked with trout for those of the fishing persuasion. Crowds are usually deterred by the last 12 miles of unpaved washboard road that guarantee a severe dust intrusion test. Our Chinook is quite leaky around the seams so did not fare too well. It’s too bad Ford didn’t put a cabin air intake filter on these models. Fortunately the abundance of natural pine aroma did provide an excellent interior air freshener.

Another reason not many haul a trailer up Mount Graham is the windy road and precipitous grades. There are at least 30 hairpin bends in the small section of the Swift Trail (AZ366) in this photograph we took from the summit peak along Ladybug Trail.

Cheers,

[Xatlatc]

Ted, I can only imagine where you would go if that Chinook was a 4X4. Is this considered a walkabout?