Thanks to all who gave advice on the route. It was a great weekend and I look forward to heading back to the Bradshaws again. We left Tucson at 7:30am and made it to he trailhead about 10:30am. We aired down and headed up. It was a very good idea to do it on Friday, we saw very few other rigs and really enjoyed the climb. There are some pretty knarly little climbs if you feel so inclined and a few that were obviously the result of some ballsy SxS owners. We had a relaxed pace up the mountain and made it to Horsethief Basin about 3pm. We took a brief rest at the lake(pond) and let the dogs get wet. We then headed on out of the recreation area and searched for a good campsite. Luck was on our side because about the time the parent/child patience began to run out in the other rig, we came upon a site that had able wood, space, and level ground. We made camp and happy hour began! Great night of tritip on the griddle, smores, and cold beer from the fridge. It was a bit nippy later on, and I was thankful for my swag and warm sleeping bag. I slept like a rock. Next morning, we had breakfast and broke camp after sufficient caffeine infusion via pour over with half and half. We headed back to Crown King where we stopped for more frosty barley pop and some mozzarella sticks and onion rings. As good as it all was, they are not a dog friendly watering hole, so we sucked up our beers and a couple gallons of $7.99 87 octane before heading on. We cruised out CK Road and pulled of to pay a visit to Desoto Mine. The trail was really fun. Technical enough to be interesting, but easy enough to be relaxed. The mine was pretty cool. It is still open to anyone who wants to step foot inside and the horizontal shaft disappeared into darkness. Rubber boots, extras lights, and some caution could yield a deeper look next time. From there we ran the rest of the loop out and around the mine where we took some pics on the summit ahead of closing the loop back to CK Road. We timed it just right on the way back. We pulled over and gave way to a train of 28 SxSs heading up to the mine. Judging by the way they were all kitted out, we figured there was close to $1M rolling past us there. Our next stop was Cleator, AZ and the Cleator Bar and Yacht Club. Really fun little dive with character to spare and cold beer. Closing down the bar at 6pm, we moseyed down the trail a ways before locating our next site of lodging. The second night was much warmer than the previous, and we had burgers and beer enough to swirl stomachs and brains alike. It was a much needed break from life as it has been day in and day out. We called it quits about 11:20pm when all beer stores were exhausted. Sunday morning greeted us with yet another beautiful clear AZ day. After a fine breakfast of tacos al pastor with eggs, we conceded that the end was nigh, and started making our way back to Tucson with as much low range as we could squeeze in. I failed to download the maps ahead of the weekend, as well as failing to hit record on the track, so I cant tell you where we were. I can say it was wonderful and a great track to finished the weekend on. All in I made it home right around 3pm Sunday having spent 3 great day out bush and feeling like a shower and nap were the next great priorities.
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