Yes, Kendall Camp road, but I think that the signage called it something else. There was however, one of those brown stakes around the corner and down a ways on the left indicating 79. With that confirmed, we did okay. There was a confusing fork. The Hassayampa crossing was hardly noticeable and we drove a bit more before we turned around. Without the previous study of the google satellite, things wouldn't make sense. The turn was on the opposite side of the river than indicated. I must say that it was a beautiful place to experience a pain in the ass detective senario.
There were plenty of no camping and designation signs, but crap road directions, like a screwy priority. We should write those guys. The Forest Ranger said that the written paper input does get noticed.
It was just not user friendly, because of the Forest Service. I suppose that there is lots of pressure from all of the land owners on those patches of old mining claims and "urban interface". I suppose that the head has visions of the whole place going up in flames of disaster, like greater part of the White Mountains, but it doesn't feel like public lands. Way too restrictive.
Yes, those were the lavendar ones that sort of swarm. They were congregated around an old campfire debris next to where we parked. That one swimmin' hole pictured was incredible.
Deep, wide, great rocks to play and lounge, but camping would have to be in stealth. How could somebody backpack and camp in the wild? Uphill, down hill, very few designated trails. No water near trails. The forest is suitable for day trips from campgrounds, only. It is like a park for locals only.
"For me there is nothing like returning to the dry warmth of the desert. It is a comforting reaction that has a calming effect." So, you experienced that evidently, too?
Jbee