Yeah, especially when you see a long traveled dirt road that was made by vehicles and they are walking a mile plus long on it or next to it!
Hello all,
Newbie here asking the same question. That was an old Jeep trail leading from the camp they left. Doesn't look to remote to me. And they left all their gear behind? They are sleeping on the ground
with just a sun fly over them? Leave for the day and leave your sleep bag on the ground. I don't think so unless you like cuddling with rattlers and scorpions. I think that is all staged for the show.
Who is going to pack that camera gear through those mountains. The last thing I am hauling is that heavy Winchester with me in that huge padded case. I have been poking around there the last couple of
months and a Colt 45 1911 on my hip and a collapsible light weight modern rifle in my pack. I like my folding AK-47 or AR CAR model. More then enough fire power. I also not happy with them shooting the snakes
on sight. Rattles don't bother me at all. They will warn you when they feel you coming unless you step on one not looking where your going. I bet I have moved 12 greens off of roads in just the last year. So they don't
get run over. They just head for cover. I grew up in the mid-west. Copper Heads, Cotton Mouths and Water Moccasins tend to bite first and ask questions later.
Regarding the search we saw the old Jeep trail near where they camped. Next week you can see the Apache Trail and the power lines from the dam. Earlier they drove close to the stone foundation in a trucks and hiked
only a short ways. Do you think that was First Water Road. Or do you think they were getting access from the outh or East? I have scouted out all the options from the Apache Trail and the Feds have just about everything
blocked off to hikers only. I did find a cool high clearance only forest service road that does get you farther south. I stock Jeep would be dragging and scarping over the big rock steps. Looks like someone poured rough
concrete to try and smooth the way. I have a big rig with plenty of lift so I had no issues. The trail led to another blocked off area you can hike in from. It is on an old range and there was water tanks and a collapsed windmill.
Google earth provides some pretty good images but it is much more rugged than it looks. Fish Creek is an area I have been scouting but you are not going in there from the lake. Brutally rugged. I think I could get better access from the spot I found but it would be a good hike. It is already starting to get hot hear. 90 by the weekend which is hot for this early in the season. I need to do some scouting from the South and East as I have read there is better access. I have been to the museum. George was working but I just recognized him from last night show. I will be going back this week to pick his brain a bit.
Been interesting the LDM since moving to AZ. I have a view from my land that goes from 4 peaks all the way to Weavers Needle. The mines are out there somewhere. If any locals want to go scouting around I am game. My wife thinks I am nuts and has no interest. I had a few friends that go with me when they are in town but that is far and few between. I have been poking around alone which is not too smart but I am pretty confident in my
abilities. That being said it is still really easy to twist an ankle out there if you try getting off the beaten path. I tried poking around Fish Creek area without my standard hiking gear and twisted and ankle in the rocks after less then a quarter mile. It was minor and not a big issue but enough to turn me around for the day. I really enjoy checking out the terrain and the remote areas as you never know what you will find. Some back up would be nice.
Ok I know I am rambling now but what is with these guys running away leaving their gear behind. If I was that afraid I would bring along a Navy Seal or two or at least a local guide/tracker. If someone was in there camp there would be tracks. Tracking can be hard with all the rock but I know a few guys that would not have a problem. Leave a guy behind to watch the camp from a nice hiding spot which there are thousands. Problem solved.
Still doing lots of reading and research on the subject. Lots of dead ends and false leads from what I see. I believe as long as you have some good target areas and a little luck your chances are is good as any ones. I think the key is get off the beaten path and look where it looks impossible to get to and hopefully no one has been for 100 years. Good luck out here guys and stay safe.