Red Rabbit Report post Posted December 14, 2009 Looking west from the Red Rock exit on I-10 south of Picaho Peak, I see a very jagged mountain that I would like to photograph. Is this Ragged Top and Wolcott Peak, NE part of the Silver Bells? Would the best way to get there be west from the Red Rock exit on Sasco Rd? Any access issues that you know of? Map looks like it is BLM. Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmc Report post Posted December 14, 2009 I believe what you're looking at it Ragged Top peak. To get there you can take Red Rock exit from Phx or from Tucson take the Marana exit. Yes, far as I recall it's BLM when we were working on the BLM land management proposal for the area that peak was in included. If it's rained recently I'd avoid the area. Washes can get deep and run'n fast. As well it makes for a nasty muddy road out there and back. If you need exact route details email me. I know some guys that have hunted and worked water projects over there. cmc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted December 14, 2009 The redrock exit will take you all the way around that mtn and will end up connecting you to avra valley road, by the silverbell mine. +1 for the rain deal said by cmc, on the redrock road you have to cross the santa cruz, but Ive seen cars go thru it all the time depending on the flow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpackhorse Report post Posted December 14, 2009 Doug, That is my back yard, been wonder'n around them hills for 25 years. Best way from I-10 is exit Pinal Rd. towards Evergreen Air Center and turn South on Trico Rd head South for about 8 miles to Silverbell Rd. and take it all the out to the mountain. When you head out to photograph just give me a shout if you want, I know all the roads quite well. Gorgeous mountain and if you're lucky you may even spot some Bighorns. Pretty sure that it's part of Ironwood National Forest now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted December 14, 2009 Thanks for the quick responses! Hopefully I can swing in there on the way down to mearns hunt right after Christmas. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NRS Report post Posted December 15, 2009 The roads coming in from Marana (Pinal Air Park Rd or Marana Rd to Silverbell) are passable with a passenger car unless there is a summer monsoon cloud burst. The area is part of the Ironwood Forest National Monument and is BLM land. If you need information about it, the phone number for the office is 520-258-7200. Ragged Top usually catches the sun first in the morning and can make for some very dramatic shots at sunrise and can be very photographic if there are low clouds around it. The sheep tend to hang out on Wolcott and on the south side of Ragged Top, but you can sometimes find them on the NE side. I am the Natural Resource Specialist for the monument, so let me know if you need any more information about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZn8tiv Report post Posted January 8, 2010 Thanks for the quick responses! Hopefully I can swing in there on the way down to mearns hunt right after Christmas. Doug Hey Red Rabbit, Did you ever make it to Ragged Top? Just came across this thread and wondered how it turned out. I too grew with that as my backyard, and love it out there. Seeing 2 rams up there within 20 yards was probably the neatest thing I've ever seen in the wild... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted January 8, 2010 azn8tiv, After spending Christmas in Scottsdale, I went back up to Flag to work a few days, so I did not make it there, but I will on the next mearns trip. RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 8, 2010 Doug, let me know when you are going in there... That is part of my area. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NRS Report post Posted January 10, 2010 Doug, Here is what Ragged Top looked like at sunrise this morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted January 10, 2010 Thanks. Will surely need to take in a sunset and sunrise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted February 1, 2010 A few delays getting out of Flagstaff and Phoenix traffic prevented me from getting to Ragged Top Friday evening for sunset, but I drove out Sunday afternoon ont eh drive back home from the mearns hunt. Lack of clouds prevented any possible sunset, so a drive to teh northwest side gave a late afternoon view before the shadows from the Silver Bells were cast on the foreground. Seems the peaks lend themselves better to a sunrise shot from the east side to capture their raggedness. Next trip to photograph them will likely be later in April before the Goulds turkey hunt. Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
audsley Report post Posted February 1, 2010 So you got a Goulds tag in SE Az? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted February 1, 2010 So you got a Goulds tag in SE Az? Somehow I drew a permit for the first season Goulds hunt near Parker Canyon Lake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natureboyfloyd Report post Posted February 2, 2010 R.R. Saw desert bighorn up there, near the collection tank in one past October. Took a friend for a hike/backpack, one night...heard a group of "hard workers" coming into the US that night, literally heard the voices, and spent a kinda one-eye-open night. Next morning, sheep. Awesome place. Wife saw a puma, of all things, there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
