North Swell - Mexican Mountain/Horse Thief trail beta?

[fouristhenewone]

Anyone spent any time in this area? Any info on what Kelsey's book calls the "Window Rock" or "Arch Tower" canyon? Heading down that way tomorrow, looking for any additional insight besides what I've pieced together myself.

[erial]

Did that hike 8 years ago. Long long day.

Three planes and their crews were parked at the airfield. Halfway up the horse thief trail I watched the planes take off.

The horse thief trail was easy to follow up the cliffs but once on top i recall that the trail disappeared within the drainages. I basically used dead reckoning to arrive at the 4wd Tidwell Draw road. There was no clear indication of a turn off for the route up to arch tower, but I used Kelsey's map and estimated my travel and fortunately turned off at the right spot. Turnoff was a sandy area as indicated on the Kelsey map.

Not far from arch tower you can follow the rim south to an overlook of a primitive trail that descends steeply down the cliffs. I thought it would be too sketchy for me and chose to return the way I had come. It was nearly dark by the time I passed the airfield. The planes had returned and the crews hailed me and provided most appreciated cold beverages.

8 years ago this hike had some gaps in the route where route finding or bushwhacking was required. Might be better cairned now. Long day if done as an out and back; not as long if you can manage the loop. you're ;

[fouristhenewone]

thanks erial -

I'm actually more thinking about going up Arch Tower Canyon, maybe around the top and down Cave Canyon just enough to hit the Natural bridge at the top, and then turning back around the way I came. Do you recall how long it took you to descend Arch tower from the top?

[tmartenst]

Sounds like you will be coming from the Tidwell Draw Rd. You will need high clearance although I never need to use my 4wd. I've been up Sheepcave Canyon and down Archtower a few times. Almost every time I've gone a different way because there really are no trails. You just make your way up the reef. The two highlights of the hike are the rim views and Archtower Canyon IMO. Ednah Bridge is decent too but can be hard to find if you take a wrong turn.

It is a long scramble up the reef. Probably 2+ hours to the top if I remember correctly.

Looking almost directly west towards the hike. Great campspot (about 30 minutes south from Smith Cabin)
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/archtower4.jpg

An early sign you are on the right track
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/sheepcave2.jpg

Another Sign
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/sheepcave4.jpg

Ednuh Natural Bridge
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/sheepcave3.jpg

The view about halfway up Archtower. If you are in sheepcave correctly, you shouldn't see this view. In fact, you shouldn't see this view on any part of your hike because you will be south of here on the way up and in the canyon below (in this photo) on the way down. Archtower is middle left of the towers in this photo if I remember correctly. I've hiked up to this view a few times on accident (the two times we didn't actually take sheepcave up, but this canyon instead.) If you get to this view, you need to slightly backtrack and head up to the left of this photo to the rim. I actually like this route up too. You can also find this spot in Google Earth.
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/archtower3.jpg

Archtower
http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/archtower21.jpg

http://www.purelightimages.com/pics/fs/archtower.jpg

[fouristhenewone]

tmartenst - thanks much for the information. We had a good trip down there, and though not as successful as I would have liked, your info helped a great deal.