tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81751876504298864802024-03-18T02:48:54.647-07:00The Hikemasters' Trail Descriptionsof North America and EuropeThe Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-18874030875052847382014-06-06T10:44:00.002-07:002014-06-06T10:44:29.509-07:00Piedras Marcadas, Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque, NM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe8wnPAKIkDaEEaIr8gNC0hIOY8rMA0x-9Zl4EStxXhTxD2dcVWmRKfDB-npA3DWlFfo7zvl-6Ml5D90oVs_8vik-0YEmeYv7vp_C7negcKc5gn9_MZ_dgSPO_UYZxB_Ssvb3xaI-Jlkp/s1600/DSCN4019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe8wnPAKIkDaEEaIr8gNC0hIOY8rMA0x-9Zl4EStxXhTxD2dcVWmRKfDB-npA3DWlFfo7zvl-6Ml5D90oVs_8vik-0YEmeYv7vp_C7negcKc5gn9_MZ_dgSPO_UYZxB_Ssvb3xaI-Jlkp/s1600/DSCN4019.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>1.5 miles round trip (2.4 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>5,200 - 5,280 feet (1,585 - 1,610 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>September - May (avoid heat of summer)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2_x26tGhPZIbWqSUktAd0s2fla5ybF5Wo5jsJDTTVrwkqePSQY4bbH3iWnd78MLCqatdaSK54fW87BddfF-ounqfqznoR757cv6KNcuhZCARLANweFsXumVHzpPOfFDwnLKqBvfuLBc5/s1600/DSCN4015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2_x26tGhPZIbWqSUktAd0s2fla5ybF5Wo5jsJDTTVrwkqePSQY4bbH3iWnd78MLCqatdaSK54fW87BddfF-ounqfqznoR757cv6KNcuhZCARLANweFsXumVHzpPOfFDwnLKqBvfuLBc5/s1600/DSCN4015.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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Piedras Maracas canyon is the northernmost section of Petroglyphs National Monument, located on the northwestern suburbs of Alburquerque, New Mexico. The national monument was created in 1990 to protect some 24,000 images carved into the volcanic rocks of a 200,000 year old lava flow by the ancestral Puebloan peoples of the Rio Grande Valley. The rapidly expanding suburbs of Albuquerque were threatening to these cultural treasures with vandalism, being demolished for subdivisions, and otherwise being tarnished without proper management. While some of the petroglyphs date back to more than 3000 years, the majority of them are considered of the Rio Grande Style of the 15th century, after many of the Puebloan groups of the southwest abandoned their cliff dwellings during a mega-drought and migrated to the Rio Grande Valley.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandia Mountain is visible across the Rio Grande Valley from the top of the mesa</td></tr>
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Petroglyphs National Monument contains a number of different sites to visit. Piedras Marcadas is the furthest north site and can be tricky to find with the various housing developments of the area making for a maze of partially constructed roads and subdivisions. It is best to start at the National Park Service Visitor Center to get oriented and then ask for a map and directions to the site. To get to the visitor center, take the Unser Blvd Exit (#154) off of I-40 and drive north 3 miles to Western Trail. Turn left and follow it west until the road ends right at the visitor center.</div>
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Piedras Marcadas canyon starts at a small parking area right next to a housing development. The trail starts on a sidewalk paralleling the wall at the edge of the backyards of homes. But, soon it heads off into the undeveloped canyon, with volcanic walls rising about 100 feet above the sandy bottom. In spring, there will be fields of purple phacelia flowers, with white evening primroses mixed in. It won't take long to see the first petroglyphs on the rocks above. The main route is a wide sandy trail, but numerous side routes branch off to see large petroglyphs on the boulders above.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The view down Piedras Marcadas canyon with the "volcanoes" visible in the far distance<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Follow the contour of the rocks. Virtually all petroglyphs are located on south or southwest facing slopes. No reason to search the north-facing slopes. The reason for this is hypothesized to be that during the summer most people were working on tending their fields of corn, squash, and beans along the banks of the Rio Grande. But, in winter, outside of cultivation season, they would have a lot of time available to work on other crafts, as well as, to work on the tedious task of carving images into the rocks. As it can be chilly in this region at 5,000 feet in winter, the south-facing slopes get more of the winter sun, thus melting any ice that may be present or otherwise just being a lot more comfortable working conditions.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening primrose in bloom</td></tr>
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Continue contouring the rocks and then head through a gap into a large sandy expanse. As you continue toward the back of the canyon, there is a distinct side trail that branches right. At the end of this route is a cove in the rocks containing numerous interesting petroglyphs.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzWsD_q0bVPSNJJ1nLd-9K72R5oRjh9VExe-34H451HTzLq7FFvDJumJ8674Y_9ZGXX8VfCm3APOmg5ffbCHT8yVjQ5Wky7Vkl5k4GQhXckeUPeF52LTN07UXJ0wulmRXSBEZljnlE9Jr/s1600/DSCN4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzWsD_q0bVPSNJJ1nLd-9K72R5oRjh9VExe-34H451HTzLq7FFvDJumJ8674Y_9ZGXX8VfCm3APOmg5ffbCHT8yVjQ5Wky7Vkl5k4GQhXckeUPeF52LTN07UXJ0wulmRXSBEZljnlE9Jr/s1600/DSCN4016.JPG" height="321" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kokopelli along with other symbols</td></tr>
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After spending an hour or so exploring the petroglyphs, just return following the main route across the sandy bottom back to the parking area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE98Li6KIF8VQqKqb9HdowUSEohCh-whC8Lb8EaKfqNW_MuMH9y-XdPXLMCTuBuoiB6LhpJb5F1uiUtXsKq7JIfau7gM3hhzE5QikB1mwQo4AJry_IlEmmDFdr3JKlmSxkNqPbaj9VdxJG/s1600/DSCN3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE98Li6KIF8VQqKqb9HdowUSEohCh-whC8Lb8EaKfqNW_MuMH9y-XdPXLMCTuBuoiB6LhpJb5F1uiUtXsKq7JIfau7gM3hhzE5QikB1mwQo4AJry_IlEmmDFdr3JKlmSxkNqPbaj9VdxJG/s1600/DSCN3997.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-49206865698527479382014-06-05T14:18:00.000-07:002014-06-05T14:18:00.611-07:00Boca Negra, Petroglyphs National Monument, Albuquerque, NM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7NV5mGyjATENzqzLspgtF3nzyENoEM66IyOCEg6sG13K9dNDOkyH2zTeKqbDI9u_hcN1owqCsbQHcQYH7pALcBc7tm_ChyphenhyphenKXBJBXYdr4wATUXl-PpVwk0f_UJA5iccp8eDUTP3LDj8z/s1600/DSCN3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7NV5mGyjATENzqzLspgtF3nzyENoEM66IyOCEg6sG13K9dNDOkyH2zTeKqbDI9u_hcN1owqCsbQHcQYH7pALcBc7tm_ChyphenhyphenKXBJBXYdr4wATUXl-PpVwk0f_UJA5iccp8eDUTP3LDj8z/s1600/DSCN3924.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>1 mile (1.5 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>5,190 - 5,300 feet (1,582 - 1,616 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year:</b> Anytime<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Boca Negra canyon from the top of Mesa Point</td></tr>
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Petroglyphs National Monument is a small unit of the National Park Service located just on the western outskirts of the city of Albuquerque. It is home to some 24,000+ images carved into the volcanic rocks of a 200,000 year old lava flow by the ancestral Puebloan peoples. It is the largest concentration of petroglyphs in the United States. Although petroglyphs have been found that date back as far as 3000 years old, the vast majority of them come from the "Rio Grande Style" dating to the 15th century. This was a period when Puebloan peoples across the southwest had abandoned their sites and migrated to the Rio Grande Valley for the consistent water sources.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A those seals? If so, how did they know about them in New Mexico?</td></tr>
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While its convenience to Albuquerque makes it a cultural and ecological treasure for the residents of this largest city of New Mexico, as well as, an economic boost to the city through tourism, it is also highly threatened by the rapid expansion of Albuquerque's suburbs. The park is surrounded by housing developments and roads have even been carved right through the park approved by congressional action. Whether these cultural artifacts of the Rio Grande Puebloan peoples can be protected from vandalism, urbanization, and pollution over the long-term will remain to be seen.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the suburbs from Mesa Point, with Sandia Mountain in the distance</td></tr>
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Petroglyphs National Monument is made up of several individual visitation sites. Any visit should begin at the National Park Service Visitor Center located at the end of Western Trail. To get there from I-40, take the Unser Blvd exit number 154, drive north 3 miles to Western Trail. Turn left and follow it west until you reach the visitor center. At the visitor center, you can get the specific directions to the various sites in the park, including Boca Negra, featured here.</div>
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Boca Negra, which means "black mouth" in Spanish, is an amphitheater of black volcanic rock surrounding a sandy bottom. It is where a large sand dune blocked the flow of lava from the eruptions about 200,000 years ago and forced the lava to curl around it. Later, the dune eroded away, leaving this bowl-shaped area. There are three main sites here, all within short walks from each other. The entrance fee is $1 on weekdays, $2 on weekends, and free with an Interagency Pass.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxhIA9I3DmUffCG8C83mT2lCYvyj424f8AtKwnpbzXrPJmMg9rEGBNmjpSePeO-iB-O4mGMCxl1-ojN1_Ag4bOqC1Hfu-jW2AQ2ypfccR5JsDWBsq7Yu9V2ouJPSj46O5838XO6cCU4mF/s1600/DSCN3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxhIA9I3DmUffCG8C83mT2lCYvyj424f8AtKwnpbzXrPJmMg9rEGBNmjpSePeO-iB-O4mGMCxl1-ojN1_Ag4bOqC1Hfu-jW2AQ2ypfccR5JsDWBsq7Yu9V2ouJPSj46O5838XO6cCU4mF/s1600/DSCN3937.JPG" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flycatcher was nesting near the petroglyphs</td></tr>
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Start by taking the short trail up the steep slope of Mesa Point. Immediately, there are dozens of petroglyphs on the route to the top. These include depictions of faces, people, animals, stars, and other geometric designs. From the top, you get an expansive view across the landscape, including the Rio Grande valley across to Sandia Mountain to the west and across the lava flows to the volcanoes to the east.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnFxSMTsgeOCHj6DZ_1DQRXlCWB9hRT1gmiyubTElz07uvYwX183t3fGgtp6iXZZH8op-FQeXLKeOnj_W0vs6cOR4LpAl4sar6jeoEwrQXVQNAQLB5-95vwt4eTqmwuF3xBnFT9upBt3/s1600/DSCN3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnFxSMTsgeOCHj6DZ_1DQRXlCWB9hRT1gmiyubTElz07uvYwX183t3fGgtp6iXZZH8op-FQeXLKeOnj_W0vs6cOR4LpAl4sar6jeoEwrQXVQNAQLB5-95vwt4eTqmwuF3xBnFT9upBt3/s1600/DSCN3932.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The variety of faces at these petroglyphs are amazing</td></tr>
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After descending back down, follow the boardwalk past the picnic sites to the "Macaw site". There is a petroglyph just past the ramada of what appears to be a macaw, as well as, a yucca pod just above it. You might be thinking, what is a macaw doing here? Some tribes have claimed it is actually a mourning dove. But, archaeologists state that the Puebloan people's were trading with tribes from hundreds or thousands of miles away and macaw feathers from the tropical regions have been found in sites in the United States. Thus, it is plausible that this petroglyph reflects such a trading event.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjQykTidghGeaoc4hpeTiRQ3wXPbOJmX6vNlhWsgZ9dIwp_GhqzNF5CANs45_CBlP0zdq8vdXQ9RWYlVIsqpkmPIvswuBuAyYdxnLJrUVC_AHuybuWGKLcNza5znAcMzWkyLIjpNV1JgQ/s1600/DSCN3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjQykTidghGeaoc4hpeTiRQ3wXPbOJmX6vNlhWsgZ9dIwp_GhqzNF5CANs45_CBlP0zdq8vdXQ9RWYlVIsqpkmPIvswuBuAyYdxnLJrUVC_AHuybuWGKLcNza5znAcMzWkyLIjpNV1JgQ/s1600/DSCN3929.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The macaw (at lower left) and yucca pod (upper right)</td></tr>
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One thing you will notice is that virtually all petroglyphs are found on south or southwest facing sites. It is hypothesized that they chose these sites because they would get the low winter sun (thus melting off the snow or being generally warmer) at a time of year when there were no crops to raise to stay busy with, so they had lots of time on their hands to work on these carving process.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMCAoRUfyizfT3ifsxRWxudTw_07vna8bKfB9sqtynRcJ3tVntXefkARq4f8MDal4iKCvnTWr9HA32bPjI2AP-OjSojAo88BgaBM5F9QbWZYq4rfVujDuK3Oo5MMBbfkFn1wWyACMn1gc/s1600/DSCN3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMCAoRUfyizfT3ifsxRWxudTw_07vna8bKfB9sqtynRcJ3tVntXefkARq4f8MDal4iKCvnTWr9HA32bPjI2AP-OjSojAo88BgaBM5F9QbWZYq4rfVujDuK3Oo5MMBbfkFn1wWyACMn1gc/s1600/DSCN3918.JPG" height="322" width="400" /></a></div>
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Continuing around the amphitheater takes you to another site with numerous petroglyphs, most of these of people, stars, and geometric designs. This is called "cliff base". In total, there are more than 200 petroglyphs visible at this site. In my next post, I'll refer to another site within the 7700 acre national monument with hundreds of petroglyphs called Piedras Marcadas.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCG08R1a8LUmL50Z9E_UIiHTasM-TBjuBfGSQwowbKOGUmBnvXrlc7m27t8a-WdwB1pJLj3bkrV1iPMQGrdm6CHJspWKzZzxNq-170kQ_q_VHdXf_AcxqaEF7XLv0sKg-e8VwbOUM52wY/s1600/DSCN3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCG08R1a8LUmL50Z9E_UIiHTasM-TBjuBfGSQwowbKOGUmBnvXrlc7m27t8a-WdwB1pJLj3bkrV1iPMQGrdm6CHJspWKzZzxNq-170kQ_q_VHdXf_AcxqaEF7XLv0sKg-e8VwbOUM52wY/s1600/DSCN3934.JPG" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked to call this one of the "fat Italian". <br />I have never seen one with a long nose like this before</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-54011711156466069522014-03-23T11:12:00.002-07:002014-03-23T11:12:42.748-07:00Pine Creek Box Canyon, Box-Death Hollow Wilderness, Utah<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9JVAYVAZKXRwMmt5wZpdfUY-SVmSR0Rr2hpcr995cnnbu5y6UnV_-SEh_Jby-qRQplzArgXfE7tkHt-ax3NUKGiNh4LnVjpTIMXWtuFBja3Zkz0cq97v0s6sO08mYqHyJ3vs6N4c-TmI/s1600/DSCN3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9JVAYVAZKXRwMmt5wZpdfUY-SVmSR0Rr2hpcr995cnnbu5y6UnV_-SEh_Jby-qRQplzArgXfE7tkHt-ax3NUKGiNh4LnVjpTIMXWtuFBja3Zkz0cq97v0s6sO08mYqHyJ3vs6N4c-TmI/s1600/DSCN3651.JPG" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>4.8 miles one way to Deep Creek (7.7 km) or 8.8 miles (14.7 km) to upper trailhead<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>6,410 - 7,040 feet (at Deep Creek) or 7740 feet (upper trailhead)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderately Easy (to Deep Creek) to Moderate (to upper trailhead)<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>March - November (Be prepared for ice in early spring and heat in summer)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcCZWsFUfpWXGnucxAzLmbeAhmE29HxgOlfKEXka5p-zTaSKF3va_QYE71Qokw9LXEl1qCs3ycUd07G0dSm3_oUfwOAJnlwGj2qJICbY7fE3zq3ekDiCYDH83Mx8PiB9yn7OZVx1dRK27/s1600/DSCN3650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcCZWsFUfpWXGnucxAzLmbeAhmE29HxgOlfKEXka5p-zTaSKF3va_QYE71Qokw9LXEl1qCs3ycUd07G0dSm3_oUfwOAJnlwGj2qJICbY7fE3zq3ekDiCYDH83Mx8PiB9yn7OZVx1dRK27/s1600/DSCN3650.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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Located just north of the small town of Escalante, UT is a beautiful box canyon with 1000-2000 feet sheer-walled sandstone cliffs that rivals Zion National Park, but without the crowds. Under the shade of large pines, with the cool flow of a small creek, Pine Creek Box Canyon in the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness is a great escape from the rigors of urban life and a great alternative to the massive crowds that are loving our national parks to death.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu57hGFMO7qrydMcYTLWbzM7AOTekrCKc-CoHWRfQwYAN_npYVJ4c-m29_43lzhswh8b8q_ES3_gvvTinHAFimC0PNkyRj-sgz6HGK6LCXOKFnUcXHt9AprUxS341MKzMTPzFqVRoSp3v1/s1600/DSCN3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu57hGFMO7qrydMcYTLWbzM7AOTekrCKc-CoHWRfQwYAN_npYVJ4c-m29_43lzhswh8b8q_ES3_gvvTinHAFimC0PNkyRj-sgz6HGK6LCXOKFnUcXHt9AprUxS341MKzMTPzFqVRoSp3v1/s1600/DSCN3652.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can do this canyon as an out-and-back trail by heading up from the lower trailhead to the confluence with Deep Creek (9.6 miles roundtrip) or as a one-way trip to the upper trailhead (8.8 miles one-way), but you will need a car shuttle back down the road to the lower trailhead. Either way, to access the lower trailhead, head east out of the town of Escalante on UT-12 and turn left on the road 300 E. Follow this road past the elementary school and when you see a Y in the road, hang right. Follow this road up past farmers fields until it turns dirt. Look for a sign and turn right. The 0.3 mile access road to the trailhead is washed out, so park at the road closed sign and walk about 0.2 miles to the trail register and into the canyon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first creek crossing near the trailhead</td></tr>
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The trail is obvious along the whole route, but there are countless crossings of the small Pine Creek. In the vast majority of cases, it is easy to rock-hop across the creek without getting your boots wet. But, during high flows or if ice covers the rocks in the winter/early spring, there may be instances where you have to step in the water. So, be prepared. But, I managed to do the entire route without getting wet with just one large jump needed on a section without stones to walk across.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpjRnS2D_HIdeofhElKuc3L__HjAuxKN6f9A04mymD0vbA5Avp7Vw0lBODTiZi1GMh3tlESrb4-C5zxE_mwCHMX14R9qAdqf29gJMQbOmyazxUtrC8lImYA3EdzmuZH5CibVL3B2TTo1V/s1600/DSCN3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpjRnS2D_HIdeofhElKuc3L__HjAuxKN6f9A04mymD0vbA5Avp7Vw0lBODTiZi1GMh3tlESrb4-C5zxE_mwCHMX14R9qAdqf29gJMQbOmyazxUtrC8lImYA3EdzmuZH5CibVL3B2TTo1V/s1600/DSCN3649.JPG" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail starts out in a forest of Ponderosa pines and riparian trees such as cottonwoods, alders, and willows. The Ponderosa pines can survive this low due to the shade of the high canyon walls and the moisture in the soil associated with the creek. Douglas firs appear in scattered clumps, especially further upstream. There are even Englemann spruces scattered along the creek some 2,000 feet below their normal elevations of this region, as their cones wash downstream and the find the right microclimate to survive.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young spruce (left) finds the right microclimate next to the creek to survive 2000 feet below its relatives</td></tr>
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The trail is mostly in the shade, especially useful in the summer heat, but there are openings that allow views up the steep vertical cliffs, but rarely are there panoramic views up or downstream. But, there are a number of talus slopes that connect to the solid slickrock above that you can scramble up to get those amazing views.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGB7bMFZLWiCzkzwH7LWSJInhfyBn7Khf7bcJMGxEUrkpAi7ktXluO5Jrj5EaUkUA04kFXykMQkIlpWY9RjSFAWUzHZTj0QYBg_pAGjc_ebbX4yvHWnHlRc0dxAwPOriUVHahkrE2I5nG/s1600/DSCN3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGB7bMFZLWiCzkzwH7LWSJInhfyBn7Khf7bcJMGxEUrkpAi7ktXluO5Jrj5EaUkUA04kFXykMQkIlpWY9RjSFAWUzHZTj0QYBg_pAGjc_ebbX4yvHWnHlRc0dxAwPOriUVHahkrE2I5nG/s1600/DSCN3660.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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Really, you can turn back at any point or continue all the way up to the top. As you reach the upper stretches of the canyon, the forest transitions from one dominated by Ponderosa pine to one dominated by Douglas fir and Englemann spruce. With the winter being warmer and drier than normal, we did this hike in March with no snow on the ground and only a little ice on the creek. Other years, this might be too early.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some morning ice on the creek</td></tr>
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Later, this creek bed will be lush and green with deciduous foliage. Just be on the lookout for poison ivy on slopes and right along the stream bed. Remember, "leaves of three-let it be". The confluence with Deep Creek, which is really inappropriately named as it is a tiny little creek, is a good place to turn around as a goal. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxvC4jR9fYgf7a6QpdFi25LQYpF6wrTY2fG82r_22GCrIw_BZYn_GVSE-ruoEn_7mblgsnD0O9nOSkSJDyjKnuirtHsTy0j3nM_VS7wHmLTbcMt_2qwFNuXdpxhtZGv0c09lsXJWChhRZ/s1600/DSCN3653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxvC4jR9fYgf7a6QpdFi25LQYpF6wrTY2fG82r_22GCrIw_BZYn_GVSE-ruoEn_7mblgsnD0O9nOSkSJDyjKnuirtHsTy0j3nM_VS7wHmLTbcMt_2qwFNuXdpxhtZGv0c09lsXJWChhRZ/s1600/DSCN3653.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view back down the canyon after 3 miles</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-10444366664760228372014-01-01T18:28:00.003-08:002014-01-01T18:28:54.586-08:00Casner Canyon, Coconino NF, Sedona, AZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXOt2qjEWUVY_A6DMK4wSziQgXTofLG_ei2qiZ8LdegTOKBTWY7vaHiLgiIkdxQHmMiqpxbpE0CpHst7VlwEUFWkCEYBKbkFK8YdpBNasT9yQBGdu_cwdFR1vlbNCR4WZObONQ_iZNrUd/s1600/IMG_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXOt2qjEWUVY_A6DMK4wSziQgXTofLG_ei2qiZ8LdegTOKBTWY7vaHiLgiIkdxQHmMiqpxbpE0CpHst7VlwEUFWkCEYBKbkFK8YdpBNasT9yQBGdu_cwdFR1vlbNCR4WZObONQ_iZNrUd/s400/IMG_5903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>6.0 miles roundtrip (9.7 km)<br />
<b>Elevation:</b> 4,450 - 5,950 feet (1,356 - 1,814 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Moderate<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>September - May (if you go in summer, get a very early start to avoid extreme heat)<br />
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Casner Canyon is probably the only hike in the Sedona Red Rocks area where you can have the trail all to yourself. That is probably because there is no large parking area and sign to make it obvious and you need to wade across Oak Creek in order to access it. But, what it lacks in human presence, it makes up for in spectacular views across the Sedona area and out all the way to the Verde Valley and Mingus Mountain. We've now done nearly every hike in the Sedona area worth doing, but this was basically the only one where we never saw another soul on the trail.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Oak Creek to access the trail on the otherside</td></tr>
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To access Casner Canyon, you need to find the place to park, which can be tricky. Due to the high demand for parking, views and photographers, and other hiking options in the area, I recommend getting a very early start so you can find a spot along the side of the road to park. Just north of Grasshopper Point (which charges $8 for parking) and just south of the Indian Gardens Cafe and Market and the visitor center on AZ-89A, there is a pull out on the westside of the road. It is located about a 100 feet north of where some powerlines cross the road. Directly across from this pullout is a closed gate and a small sign for Casner Canyon. If this area is full of cars, try to find some other spot nearby or be willing to pay to park at Grasshopper Point and then walk the Allen's Bend Trail north to the Casner Canyon Trail.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first views of the red rock after climbing out of Casner Canyon</td></tr>
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Once on the Casner Canyon Trail, it descends to the stream bed of Oak Creek and then you will need to wade across the creek (usually calf to knee deep) to the cairns marking the trail on the otherside. In winter the water will be chilly, in summer refreshing, but crowded. Have some sandals and hiking sticks to get across. The trail then follows intermittent Casner Creek a short ways before ascending up the slope above the creek bed itself into open grasslands.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the rim</td></tr>
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The trail will climb up onto a grassy openings on the south-facing slope which gets a lot of sun. In winter, that means stripping off the jacket you wore below in the shadows. In summer, this could mean oppressive heat, so be prepared. The trail is easy to follow as it climbs up the canyon, with ever increasing views of the red rock cliffs of Sedona and Mingus Mountain across the Verde Valley beyond. The trail will go through some dense thickets of scrub oak and thorny vegetation, so be prepared to get scratched legs if you are wearing shorts. Having those convertible pants might be a good idea. The trail will continue climbing until entering a narrow notch near the top of the canyon and passing a dry or frozen waterfall near columnar basalts.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the view of Mingus Mountain from the rim</td></tr>
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Once out on the rim top, the trail will be marked with large cairns to guide the way. The vegetation turns to pinyon-juniper woodland, with many small cacti and grasses. Once on the rim, the trail turns south to head toward Schnebly Hill Road, the infamously rough road the "Pink Jeeps" like to take tourists up to impress them. You don't need to go all the way to the road to enjoy the beauty of the area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pinyon-juniper grasslands on the rim top</td></tr>
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Once you cross the intermittent creek bed that is Casner Creek on the rim top, go cross-country to the right to the peninsula of rock that juts out on the rim. In about 10 minutes you will arrive at the end of this cliff face with stunning views across the whole area and can see the Casner Canyon Trail way down below that you climbed up. Be aware than in winter, melting snow can make this section muddy, so you may be jumping from rock-to-rock to avoid sinking in the mud between them. Don't be surprised to see cattle in the spring or fall up here.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view down from the rim's edge</td></tr>
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Once you have had your fill of scenic views, return the way you came, descend down the canyon, cross the creek, and then you are back in the heart of civilization with the hoards of tourists visiting Sedona.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-85744843716594531312013-12-31T19:40:00.000-08:002013-12-31T19:40:17.093-08:00Iron Mountain Trail, Poway, San Diego Country, CA<br />
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<b>Distance:</b> 5.8 miles round trip (9.4 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>1,615 - 2,680 feet (492 - 817 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderate<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>September - May<br />
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Located in northern San Diego County, just east of the City of Poway, is a beautiful hike in the dry chaparral habitat called Iron Mountain. This 2680 foot peak in the foothills of the Mountain Empire, offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of all of San Diego County and out all the way to Mexico and the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. It's a quick, steep climb to the summit, but the views are well worth it. In addition, the aromatic scents of sage, wildflowers, and chaparral make you almost forget about the traffic of Southern California. Well almost, as this hike is very popular and crowded with the locals.</div>
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To get to the trailhead, head to the City of Poway on I-15 and then take the Poway Road Exit. Drive through the city and out of town to the east until coming to the intersection with CA-67. The Iron Mountain Trailhead is located at the Park-and-Ride right on the eastside of the junction. It is a large parking lot and well signed. There is no fee to park here. The trail begins on a wide fire road heading straight toward the ridge, with the actual summit obvious to the right of the trail. Be aware that this trail is entirely exposed to the sun, which might be very pleasant in the mild weather of winter, but could be scorching over 100 degrees come summer.</div>
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The trail will branch shortly into two segments, but whichever one you take does not matter, since they rejoin about 1/2 mile later. If you take the right one, you will get more shade in the morning sun than the most exposed left branch. The trails head through the lower chaparral vegetation type known as "sage scrub". The silvery coastal sage and<i> Artemsia</i> both have very aromatic leaves. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Cuyamaca Peak (right) from the saddle</td></tr>
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After the trails reconverge, the route climbs up to a saddle and trail junction. The Ellie Lane trail heads off to the left, while the Iron Mountain Trail stays to the right. From this saddle, you get your first views of the Laguna Mountains and Cuyamaca Peak to the east, while the Pacific Ocean is visible to the west.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view to the southwest toward San Diego</td></tr>
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The trail skirts along the eastern slope of Iron Mountain, climbing slowly at first, but then the switchbacks begin. The trail is rocky and begins to steepen, but is not particularly difficult. The views are growing ever expansive to the east. After a ways, the trail reaches another saddle, giving you the next opportunity to see the ocean. Then, begins the steepest part of the trail, as a relentless series of switchbacks head up the northern face of the mountain. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown San Diego and the Coronado Islands</td></tr>
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As you look up, you keep thinking you are almost at the top, but it is higher than you think. Nonetheless, once you reach the summit, the 360 degree views make this climb well worth it. From the summit, you can see Downtown San Diego to the southwest, with the Coronado Islands of Mexico offshore beyond them. You can see El Cajon to the south and the Laguna Mountains to the southeast.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Poway</td></tr>
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Lake Poway sits down below you to the southeast and Cuyamaca Peak rises as the highest mountain to the east. Further north, you can make our Volcan Mountain near Julian, the Santa Rosa Mountains beyond that, and Mount San Jacinto way off to the northeast. Palomar Mountain dominates the view to the north, with its broad rounded summit ridge blocking most of the view of anything beyond that. But, if you look carefully, you can make out parts of the San Gabriel Mountains 100 miles to the north.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic View of the Mountain Empire</td></tr>
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The curve of the coastline and a couple of the Channel Islands are visible offshore to the northwest. Directly to the west is Torrey Pines, while slightly southwest of that is Mount Soledad and La Jolla. After your have taken in your fill of the views of southern California, retrace your steps back.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palomar Mountain to the north</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-25646849547783764842013-11-18T19:32:00.003-08:002013-11-18T19:32:42.084-08:00House on Fire Ruin, Mule Canyon, Utah<b><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO9Q9eQrL0qMsmN-s7lrFtQN7Tt_KuAkcyFUhfmlVLv1EQQq6dLQvK9EdeAgzK_gNzz3vet6CTYO_hXH6x0JbYbJ65NnYEqXRr8wU3_OqZMPOYGUdM1Jq9xApPnmaYktu5B_wceRURWfl/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO9Q9eQrL0qMsmN-s7lrFtQN7Tt_KuAkcyFUhfmlVLv1EQQq6dLQvK9EdeAgzK_gNzz3vet6CTYO_hXH6x0JbYbJ65NnYEqXRr8wU3_OqZMPOYGUdM1Jq9xApPnmaYktu5B_wceRURWfl/s400/IMG_5598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Distance: </b>3 miles roundtrip (4.8 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>5,965 - 6,005 feet (1819 - 1830 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>Anytime (watch for ice in winter and flash floods and extreme heat in summer)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhPdvIDL21sg3SR8mJaxbZRpwatDoeKktoS4ViLJmJ2jT5goeqn9_DQP5IkALTwEdBXM5CTdGYmFXGrIq9k-QSYkm_K7CGo7Pu-JzhihXJYDEQto6XNZVxNQgL6jkNu4bpF66XCKVvYH5/s1600/DSCN2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhPdvIDL21sg3SR8mJaxbZRpwatDoeKktoS4ViLJmJ2jT5goeqn9_DQP5IkALTwEdBXM5CTdGYmFXGrIq9k-QSYkm_K7CGo7Pu-JzhihXJYDEQto6XNZVxNQgL6jkNu4bpF66XCKVvYH5/s400/DSCN2783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Canyon Pueblo - 0.2 miles from the road to the canyon itself</td></tr>
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Located within Mule Canyon on the Grand Gulch Plateau, about 19 west of Blanding, UT on UT-95 is the House on Fire Ruins. Famous for its flaming red stratified rocks on the roof about the structure, the ruins are also located in a beautifully sculpted redrock canyon just above the seemingly monotonous juniper woodlands on the mesa top. Mule Canyon also contains several over ruins and petroglyph panels within the next 4 miles or so of the canyon, indicating this was obviously an important site for the ancient Puebloan peoples. On of these sites is found on the rim top, right off the highway.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tMPefDKQcp2wkvknS6EevSKtsfG7XTyDKZKYS1Thxks4t5_cnBjVQhY1n0ZhX1EZtCdGOHseFaZbSD8i93vmfQEN_i41AvYWZjTD1Ni2PVRyhOc2kycsZojPvpcCHSv14xRVw-Ca-j7Q/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tMPefDKQcp2wkvknS6EevSKtsfG7XTyDKZKYS1Thxks4t5_cnBjVQhY1n0ZhX1EZtCdGOHseFaZbSD8i93vmfQEN_i41AvYWZjTD1Ni2PVRyhOc2kycsZojPvpcCHSv14xRVw-Ca-j7Q/s400/IMG_5595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the trailhead above the canyon</td></tr>
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To access the site, drive on UT-95 to the Mule Canyon Pueblo BLM site. Here there are the remains of the foundations of several rooms and a large restored kiva site. However, to get down into the canyon itself to see the House on Fire Ruins, backtrack east on UT-95 0.2 miles and look for a dirt road branching off to the left. Follow this road down to the "bridge" crossing Mule Canyon. The trail begins to the west here. There is a fee of $2 per person to access this site.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hPOPuqOp_h6EVYVVji61l_rrwL__RI_JrAbs1I3YRpu1kniT1Mka7Q_CHtGuSDrL53YjhuHEgot0iovl5Vbktn9o4OKG3_rIZqGSqFwpvwbn2Nuq9lXCDda8mqtWUGsCmq48w89Mq_Lg/s1600/IMG_5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hPOPuqOp_h6EVYVVji61l_rrwL__RI_JrAbs1I3YRpu1kniT1Mka7Q_CHtGuSDrL53YjhuHEgot0iovl5Vbktn9o4OKG3_rIZqGSqFwpvwbn2Nuq9lXCDda8mqtWUGsCmq48w89Mq_Lg/s400/IMG_5596.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail descends into the canyon and is easy to follow up the dry creek bed. There are beautiful slickrock formations along the way for the next 1.5 miles. After about 20 minutes of hiking, start looking up to the right side of the canyon and you will see three structures tucked under the large overhanging boulder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYmsIQdPaM66oa-Gl3UL_4Kn9CeE0iQT3s5YQ8GpNh82V59g5HS6X9uQnnpelx8JNHWiIddBSo4R44xT0aGJwQfyM32ilcIdaWKFJ4MyGba-gLxW6UTaINIw2XtCXeKTq_L41gmIygZ7l/s1600/DSCN2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYmsIQdPaM66oa-Gl3UL_4Kn9CeE0iQT3s5YQ8GpNh82V59g5HS6X9uQnnpelx8JNHWiIddBSo4R44xT0aGJwQfyM32ilcIdaWKFJ4MyGba-gLxW6UTaINIw2XtCXeKTq_L41gmIygZ7l/s400/DSCN2784.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Located within the structures are old packrat middens filled with rat droppings and thick dark smoke scars on the roof. The structures are so short, it is really hard to imagine people living within these structures. One wonders how much time they actually spent in these, perhaps only to lay down and sleep at night in the winter. The site, like many in this region, is on the south-facing slope, which means they would get the warm winter sun to warm up, while being in the shadows when the sun is high in the sky in summer.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packrat droppings and plant materials on the floor and smoke scars on the roof</td></tr>
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If the lighting is right, the ceiling appears to be a flaming glow of red off the roof. If not, then it is just drab layers of sedimentary rock. Some of the most brilliant images on the internet are surely heavily altered using photoshop. But, whatever the lighting, its certainly a beautiful site in an amazing canyon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n6LqfKoaJAZ-4mBuz0IHd-s9HmQLCKKDoSFU_ltvpdOUtqV1E4X4HiHwh6IMxMFy_VqXqbC9CvzB91BkSVR8Df2Di-A9pzgXm3yewEtP-bkseEHQdAitluNGM4OAjAdj6BpB3KawZL1c/s1600/DSCN2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n6LqfKoaJAZ-4mBuz0IHd-s9HmQLCKKDoSFU_ltvpdOUtqV1E4X4HiHwh6IMxMFy_VqXqbC9CvzB91BkSVR8Df2Di-A9pzgXm3yewEtP-bkseEHQdAitluNGM4OAjAdj6BpB3KawZL1c/s400/DSCN2797.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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You can continue down the canyon to see another three more structures over the next four miles. But, if you need to hit the road to see more sites along the way, such as the<a href="http://www.hikemasters.com/2013/11/fallen-roof-ruin-road-canyon-grand.html"> Fallen Rock Ruins </a> in Road Canyon, then this is a good place to turn back and head 1.5 miles back to the trailhead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy8cBtxQ2Ovcf1nnic7885472rqhyphenhyphenPJIoqVxlxjszylyfIMVdXVHcHGpo_NOSJBznl5cuPKQT1wM53NozaK27jVsbIUCOLJ6qGbps_XkP64KPtQFk3us3kTcilcHj9NxYvOQFZyrfcTtE/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy8cBtxQ2Ovcf1nnic7885472rqhyphenhyphenPJIoqVxlxjszylyfIMVdXVHcHGpo_NOSJBznl5cuPKQT1wM53NozaK27jVsbIUCOLJ6qGbps_XkP64KPtQFk3us3kTcilcHj9NxYvOQFZyrfcTtE/s400/IMG_5599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-43717770671153348342013-11-15T21:35:00.005-08:002013-11-15T21:37:13.441-08:00Fallen Roof Ruin, Road Canyon, Grand Gulch Plateau, UT<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzPzvTyhdP2FWSN2M4ru-_OHypsvJLNICmo3rDZGbnUF00pUiodfwTzx1QAREXIYfeVe3uunztgizEmO2L7tS83FgCJhdgyTnLVysRRKHr9iSIXplWTwxb89KfDFJg4DJg4Iv1jl-9fpg/s1600/DSCN2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzPzvTyhdP2FWSN2M4ru-_OHypsvJLNICmo3rDZGbnUF00pUiodfwTzx1QAREXIYfeVe3uunztgizEmO2L7tS83FgCJhdgyTnLVysRRKHr9iSIXplWTwxb89KfDFJg4DJg4Iv1jl-9fpg/s400/DSCN2810.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 2.6 miles roundtrip (4.2 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>6,390 - 6,220 feet (1,948 - 1,896 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderately Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>Anytime (watch for ice in winter and extreme heat or flash floods in summer)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiMrLRSXxjzsqL0pgz-DqzXqh6xigDZQzS4s7DiCWY3VtvgRe-POz3EF2oGDccuKkolIaAk4KtOY2jiUcbMz-wQa2lPbXuj-es4gQHpX148LruY8MeeWZK5nAYrhAkl-lGUv5NLJM6mp1/s1600/DSCN2800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiMrLRSXxjzsqL0pgz-DqzXqh6xigDZQzS4s7DiCWY3VtvgRe-POz3EF2oGDccuKkolIaAk4KtOY2jiUcbMz-wQa2lPbXuj-es4gQHpX148LruY8MeeWZK5nAYrhAkl-lGUv5NLJM6mp1/s400/DSCN2800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Fallen Roof Ruin is one of the premier examples of a small Puebloan ruin not located within a national park. It is remote, but relatively easy to access. It is almost perfectly preserved and even contains dozens of 700+ year old corn cobs on the floor of one of its rooms. If you visit the site, please respect this archaeological wonder and do not touch the structure or disturb any of the artifacts. Any slight bump could permanently damage this structure, disrespecting the work of these ancient people and damaging it for future generations to see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sk4DzRW9s7PjDSme6SDWCAS51qxTw3bQLTPijf9u9fDe8MDnl4hO0AavIxe0GPk_ubUWuTJrxGUcdLk94_VtswpvnyhaAhLX_wVCU5Xn7kKEibtCCyRmFnKbHlohwd2Fv7T43GcPs6jG/s1600/IMG_5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sk4DzRW9s7PjDSme6SDWCAS51qxTw3bQLTPijf9u9fDe8MDnl4hO0AavIxe0GPk_ubUWuTJrxGUcdLk94_VtswpvnyhaAhLX_wVCU5Xn7kKEibtCCyRmFnKbHlohwd2Fv7T43GcPs6jG/s400/IMG_5617.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can access this site by taking UT-261 up from Mexican Hat or down from Natural Bridges National Monument. Near mile post 20, look for a sign for Cigarette Spring Road on the east side of the highway. Turn here and set your odometer. Drive 0.9 miles to the sign in station. The fee was $2 per person when we were there. Drive to the 3.4 mile mark (2.5 miles past the sign in station) and look for a road pulling off to the left in the brush. If you are driving too quickly, it is easy to miss. Drive about 200 feet to the end of this road where there is a large parking area. Cigarette Spring Road is narrow and brushy, so look out for oncoming cars. It is also sandy in places with occasional ruts, but usually doable for cars in good weather.</div>
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From the parking area, there is a small brown sign that says trail. The trail is easy to follow for the next 0.3 miles across the pinyon-juniper landscape and then comes out onto the rim of Road Canyon. Here, the trail drops steeply down the side. It can be hard to follow down 170 feet to the bottom, but it does have cairns to lead the way. Upon reaching the canyon bottom, turn right (following the cairns) and follow the dry creek bed down the canyon.</div>
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The trail has a tendency to weave in and across the creek bed attempting to avoid riparian brush, rock jumbles, or debris piles. But, the route is easy to follow and cairned most of the way. After about 15-20 minutes, the canyon opens up into a wide area where another side drainage joins it. Here, if you look up to the left, are three large boulders perched on the alluvium with black desert varnish. If you hop up the slope and look onto the nearly horizontal surface of one of them, you will see a number of very old and faded petroglyphs. Petroglyphs at canyon intersections is a common feature in this region, probably signifying this as a significant site of travel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVAdBBAQkFIK_pgqZXX8XQTd4J2pI-hezQ_RTGMV429SOjEIe7bk2rk1N2uJScmqgdjGt8QTUSUc9ooBd1uE_geR74kPtcVja5g0rbwbQuxf35TOOw8-qRmMB6uZnKp7B6q96HwDq1Gra/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVAdBBAQkFIK_pgqZXX8XQTd4J2pI-hezQ_RTGMV429SOjEIe7bk2rk1N2uJScmqgdjGt8QTUSUc9ooBd1uE_geR74kPtcVja5g0rbwbQuxf35TOOw8-qRmMB6uZnKp7B6q96HwDq1Gra/s400/IMG_5611.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Continuing down the canyon, the canyon walls narrow and shortly thereafter, you should catch a glimpse of the ruins about 70 feet up the slope to the left. Although the slope is steep, it is pretty easy to scramble up with adequate footwear. Once at the ruins, you will see why it is called Fallen Roof Ruin. A large slab of the alcove ceiling came tumbling down and shattered into a dozen or so large chunks of flattened rocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCKqtp73LxboXqIfx4-ICqkBgacRvRV_PqGZTMv6dK4ibfD2YCRS0mg2cwojHlSOundIa1JDh9OVHdhgsj55v1G7y7X47NzGkf3vQCIm9A6yNBJ4zeOokyfT8smQJtiaZtr9qi2qeNttk/s1600/DSCN2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCKqtp73LxboXqIfx4-ICqkBgacRvRV_PqGZTMv6dK4ibfD2YCRS0mg2cwojHlSOundIa1JDh9OVHdhgsj55v1G7y7X47NzGkf3vQCIm9A6yNBJ4zeOokyfT8smQJtiaZtr9qi2qeNttk/s400/DSCN2805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are three main rooms and the one furthest to the right contains the numerous corn cobs. It is hard to see them in the darkness, but if you have a camera with a flash, that'll catch them.</div>
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After enjoying the site, just backtrack the way you came. Be prepared to deal with icy slick spots on the descent down and along the canyon bottom in winter. In summer, be prepared for near 100 degree temperatures and the risk of flash floods from summer monsoon rains. In summer, it is best to start very early in the morning. The best seasons to go are late spring and autumn. And remember to respect the site and not touch anything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM2xUOlD5W7KjkMYxUUjdhLOWav5bXowHAhwBxnUBLa1BfM20-JM7NMdaslRA9AAbd-l-DOBM2rHIvIn8-odID-JpwTLzevwmJZfG2qn6MrEdGcPfsYdo83JtzLumYDs8YazPiqCmFsfq/s1600/DSCN2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM2xUOlD5W7KjkMYxUUjdhLOWav5bXowHAhwBxnUBLa1BfM20-JM7NMdaslRA9AAbd-l-DOBM2rHIvIn8-odID-JpwTLzevwmJZfG2qn6MrEdGcPfsYdo83JtzLumYDs8YazPiqCmFsfq/s400/DSCN2813.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-34398558587348264352013-10-25T15:31:00.003-07:002013-10-25T15:31:42.088-07:00Flume Trail, Fossil Springs Wilderness, Coconino NF, AZ<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3QwBPvmjX7DFnsXOWky5-XXdjxXdB_sFF-2MXrsVmM2JqcWTM_hJS1nICSsc29x4ztK0edVVO6X6IUWHD3RvMNsxT4K6_oQ-_Vi-pitnTjCPbvo-uB3Q-J6Wy-t_v4bpLAdYBsgbVsET/s1600/DSCN2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3QwBPvmjX7DFnsXOWky5-XXdjxXdB_sFF-2MXrsVmM2JqcWTM_hJS1nICSsc29x4ztK0edVVO6X6IUWHD3RvMNsxT4K6_oQ-_Vi-pitnTjCPbvo-uB3Q-J6Wy-t_v4bpLAdYBsgbVsET/s400/DSCN2658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>8.1 miles roundtrip (13.1 km)</div>
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<b>Elevation: </b>3,765 - 4,350 feet (1,148 - 1,326 m)</div>
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<b>Difficulty:</b> Moderate</div>
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<b>Time of Year: </b>September - May (avoid heat and crowds of summer)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UVIpbSxon6Z8EsvA27wgsDxmRuCREDrgjrA6mut5AoVKqawUXc-PDMHvU7p1SFkeZ4ENpStfXyr0hflHaes2ClZWbPBM1T_Z3skK6UUBqLWakLeMajelDnus-A039zsmpdRmpOgb7znH/s1600/IMG_5438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UVIpbSxon6Z8EsvA27wgsDxmRuCREDrgjrA6mut5AoVKqawUXc-PDMHvU7p1SFkeZ4ENpStfXyr0hflHaes2ClZWbPBM1T_Z3skK6UUBqLWakLeMajelDnus-A039zsmpdRmpOgb7znH/s400/IMG_5438.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fossil Creek is one of the true gems of Central Arizona. At its source, at the base of the Mogollon Rim emerges from the ground some 20,000 gallons of water per minute. Instantly, the arid pinyon-juniper forest gives way to a lush riparian stand of deciduous trees including cottonwoods, box-elder, Arizona walnut, Arizona ash, and Arizona sycamores. The water is rich in calcium carbonate, which gives the water a turquoise hue and encases whatever falls into it in travertine, thus giving the name Fossil Springs. In the heat of the summer, or even fall for that matter, these cool waters invite one to take a dip after a hot 4 mile hike to the springs. It isn't easy to get here and the crowds can be thick in summer with swimmers at the easy-access pools. But, in October and November it offers a spectacular array of fall colors for the eye to behold.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Fossil Creek Wilderness and Mogollon Rim from near Strawberry</td></tr>
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This area once had a 100-year old flume that transported water from the springs to an APS hydroelectric powerplant. This meant that most of the creekbed was dry, with scattered pools emerging from ground water that escaped the pumps of the flume. However, in 2008, APS decided that the small amount of electricity did not justify the environmental damage of redirecting the flow and disassembled the powerplant and flume, allowing the creek to flow free once more. In addition, all non-native fish were removed from the creek and native fish like headwater chubs were reintroduced. In 2009, Fossil Creek became a National Wild and Scenic River.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMvqkzvRJgFyhAUJ0FS0M5IIbf905g04GjMPig3BEV0oIHpzgzVbm7WVIeVGViQONr6JfximNUjoIqGmzSt4_4lnIScL8xjZd5RYeH_Z_-ejRA2W_JI-aYlv72X4xbB7955zBLBpX1orw/s1600/DSCN2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMvqkzvRJgFyhAUJ0FS0M5IIbf905g04GjMPig3BEV0oIHpzgzVbm7WVIeVGViQONr6JfximNUjoIqGmzSt4_4lnIScL8xjZd5RYeH_Z_-ejRA2W_JI-aYlv72X4xbB7955zBLBpX1orw/s400/DSCN2687.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crossing at the trailhead</td></tr>
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The old way to access Fossil Creek was from the town of Strawberry, but that road washed out and probably won't reopen until 2015 at the earliest. Currently, the only way to go is to take Fossil Creek Road (FR708) from AZ-260 just east of Camp Verde. The road is 15 bumpy miles long to reach the creek, but it offers beautiful views of the Verde Rim. Watch out for hunters driving too fast and leaving you with clouds of dust in the fall. After crossing the Fossil Creek bridge, continue for another mile until arriving at the parking area of the trailhead just before the closed gate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs3dqkO-t-aWS7XnZDeqmyTPIEGI1k_sENBJeb1Jbb8SEZqKHfq6oMT_5mmWIrhKq9n97qqHU4jaQFU3Ki1qhdYfTMps8AzHPiPq1zH1vfS5umBM4wgwMeMGw1-y9W3Jfjh5BcLb5YR6_/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs3dqkO-t-aWS7XnZDeqmyTPIEGI1k_sENBJeb1Jbb8SEZqKHfq6oMT_5mmWIrhKq9n97qqHU4jaQFU3Ki1qhdYfTMps8AzHPiPq1zH1vfS5umBM4wgwMeMGw1-y9W3Jfjh5BcLb5YR6_/s400/IMG_5389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail starts off by crossing the creek on a wide-shallow section that used to be the road to the old housing area when this was a powerplant and housing area. The trail then follows the old flume road up the slope paralleling the creek, gradually gaining about 600 feet in elevation. From high up on the arid slopes, you can see the lush green riparian strip below and patches of open water or waterfalls are visible between the trees.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U2UWJd1_WhoWRRw63PUZzxldvVbv33L32lrz3SvJYszbm4iTguak7LJUB-un0QS8KLZQKFSVfzZjj7Py1SonrZdqYWp2UXM-ScnplDgF0-nB622Oz0cY-eZSJCr3Qjc4XxQddjIxNaZC/s1600/IMG_5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U2UWJd1_WhoWRRw63PUZzxldvVbv33L32lrz3SvJYszbm4iTguak7LJUB-un0QS8KLZQKFSVfzZjj7Py1SonrZdqYWp2UXM-ScnplDgF0-nB622Oz0cY-eZSJCr3Qjc4XxQddjIxNaZC/s400/IMG_5395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down into the canyon</td></tr>
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With this route being on a south-facing slope and temperatures at this elevation routinely rising above 90 degrees in summer, I would not recommend doing this trail in summer. In addition, they often close the access road to the trailhead due to the huge numbers of people arriving to swim in the pools further downstream. However, it is plenty warm in spring and fall for this hike.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the old flume looked like when we visited 10 years ago.<br />It's gone now!</td></tr>
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In places you can see where the old flume ran, as old post-supports and eroded slopes are visible. But, for the most part, the signs it was ever there are gone. Along the way, there are a number of side canyons that have beautiful old sycamores and box-elder coming down the slopes and some much needed shade on a hot day. As you approach the final 1 mile, you will definitely be looking forward to the 72 degree waters and shade of the riparian forest when you reach the bottom.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sycamore along the edge of the riparian forest</td></tr>
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Upon reaching the headwaters, there is an old diversion dam that had completely filled with sediment such that it is now a waterfall. Then, just a few hundred feet further upsteam, you reach the springs and then the bare rocky intermittent stretches of the creek above that. Look on the edges of the creek and you will see "fossilized" leaves that have been coated in calcium carbonate, and small travertine dams and falls anyplace a branch or log fell into the creek and minerals began depositing on it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The springs with its numerous little travertine dams</td></tr>
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At many of the open pools, you will see schools of headwater and roundtailed chub swimming around where you once would see non-native predatory fish like trout before. You may also get to see endangered Chiricahua leopard frogs and canyon treefrogs leaping into the water.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The native chubs are back</td></tr>
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Watch for a myriad of butterfly species coating the banks of the river, plus numerous damselflies and dragonflies doing their dance across the water looking for prey or mates. You will want to stay for hours at this marvel of nature, swimming, relaxing, enjoying the soothing sounds of the riffles, or listening to the dozens of bird species that make this desert oasis their home.</div>
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In fact, the worst part of this hike is the 4 mile hike back in the heat of the sun, looking down on those inviting waters 400 feet below and wishing you did not have to trek back. But, there is one last saving grace. You have to cross the creek again at the trailhead, which will give you once last chance to splash around and cool off before you begin the bumpy drive back to civilization.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last look down onto the waters before trekking back</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-42272856037423238602013-08-04T16:00:00.001-07:002013-08-04T16:03:20.488-07:00Mount Elden Loop via Brookbank and Sunset Trails, Coconino NF, AZ<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj8w_d_4fsstxelZucJv-d0Z5VGdNZOFoS6ZktZJN-jRvqyBDNGalVhIDUdHCfn8CjhLadMSNP2JR8isLGZ_Ll8T2caFdYjZmkCh9lh7soTkpKse8YyDYO4kJSJsOnA3i17KVQyLbS9QV/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj8w_d_4fsstxelZucJv-d0Z5VGdNZOFoS6ZktZJN-jRvqyBDNGalVhIDUdHCfn8CjhLadMSNP2JR8isLGZ_Ll8T2caFdYjZmkCh9lh7soTkpKse8YyDYO4kJSJsOnA3i17KVQyLbS9QV/s400/IMG_1894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 8.45 miles or 10.65 with Summit Spur (13.6 km or 17.1 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>7,700 - 8,935 feet<br />
or 9,300 feet with Summit Spur (2,347 - 2,724 or 2,835 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderate<br />
<b>Time of Year:</b> Anytime, but watch out for ice in winter and thunderstorms in summer<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view to the east from Sunset Park viewpoint</td></tr>
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When visiting the Flagstaff area, the Dry Lakes Hills and Mount Elden will be obvious landmarks rising above the city to the north and east. These side vents of the larger San Francisco Peaks rise 1000-2000 feet above the surrounding Coconino Plateau. While many people will do the straight up-and-back climb to the radio towers on top of Mount Elden from the trailhead off US-89 near the Flagstaff Mall, there is a much more gradual, and scenic, loop route that will take you through dense mixed-conifer forests, montane meadows, old-growth ponderosa pine stands, and up to spectacular scenic viewpoints some 2000 feet above Flagstaff. Whether you are a Flagstaff native or visiting from out of town, this loop will give you a great overview of the area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old-growth mixed conifer forest</td></tr>
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The way to access this loop is to drive north out of town on Hwy 180, as if you were headed to the Grand Canyon. Then, after passing the Museum of Northern Arizona, turn right at the next light, called Schultz Pass Road. Drive down the road until it makes a <b style="font-style: italic;">Y</b>, where Schultz Pass road continues to the left and Mount Elden lookout road stays right. Keep right and follow the road as it passes mini-horse ranches and turns to dirt. Follow the road up, passing the Rocky Ridge Trailhead and then 0.2 miles further park at a small pull-out on the left for Brookbank Trail.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPQUqQGNsdu9Lg8M9lF_Mw6d52HVkgN_dtGia8ugNdZYESyWRv5Sz8gdOnf2DCKMJc3n_H5atHS8NdSZIxFKFZezb5kh4hVlVKaALf0WR6YjgWDiNvY82dGnYeY_6hdanb4j1Rb1DlAHo/s1600/DSCF1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPQUqQGNsdu9Lg8M9lF_Mw6d52HVkgN_dtGia8ugNdZYESyWRv5Sz8gdOnf2DCKMJc3n_H5atHS8NdSZIxFKFZezb5kh4hVlVKaALf0WR6YjgWDiNvY82dGnYeY_6hdanb4j1Rb1DlAHo/s400/DSCF1132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red-tailed hawk takes flight</td></tr>
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The Brookbank Trail ascends gradually through a mixed-conifer forest of white fir, Douglas fir, white pine, and Ponderosa pines. The trail will reach the edge of an open meadow, where you can access the Dry Lake Hills on left. After 1.0 miles the trail reaches the junction with Little Gnarly Trail that descends down to Schultz Pass. Turn right and continue on the Brookbank Trail as it heads around the northslope of the hill, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up the slopes of Little Elden Mountain toward Sunset Park</td></tr>
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After about 1.5 miles, the trail will cross a flat saddle and then straddle the southside of another hill offering views across the drainage toward the densely forested north-facing slope of Mount Elden. Then at 3.2 miles, the trail reaches the junction with the Sunset Trail. To the left, the trail heads to Schultz Tank. Stay right and the trail will descend down through a beautiful old-growth Ponderosa pine stand, with open grassy meadows filled with wildflowers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg9qCwNxwbw3CymDiRWBr4bHgaghKozxw4zLxT1jcVoNZtEn2s83LznQxXvkQ0BTho80jWp0mv6esP0Nm1-C9UV3x3DOyLTLRd3Do0BtoSIMcliz-vANAytPUtueIxLhdPl84C6swgcXZ/s1600/DSCF1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg9qCwNxwbw3CymDiRWBr4bHgaghKozxw4zLxT1jcVoNZtEn2s83LznQxXvkQ0BTho80jWp0mv6esP0Nm1-C9UV3x3DOyLTLRd3Do0BtoSIMcliz-vANAytPUtueIxLhdPl84C6swgcXZ/s400/DSCF1142.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old-growth ponderosa pine meadows</td></tr>
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At the bottom of the slope, you will come across the closed trail for Little Bear/Little Elden, which is blocked off due to damage associated with the catastrophic Schultz Fire of 2010. The forest here is maintained in its historic open canopy state by prescribed burns. The trail will then head up the north-face of Little Elden Mountain toward Sunset Park. After a steep rocky stretch, a spectacular view opens up at the top of the ridge to the east. Here, Sunset Crater, the cinder cones of the San Francisco Volcanic Field, and the neighborhoods of Doney Park become visible. The landscape is mostly devoid of trees due to the 1977 fire that scorched Mount Elden and removed all of the top soil. Scientists estimate it may take 1000 years for the forests to be fully restored here.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out at Little Elden Mountain and the return of aspens from the 1977 Radio Fire</td></tr>
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Following the ridgetop, the trail will head toward Sunset Park, where there is a parking area from the Elden Lookout Road that continues up the mountain toward the radio towers. At this stage, you can either descend down the Lower Oldham Trail 2.0 miles through dense forests back to the trailhead, or you could continue straight toward Mount Elden Summit, should you desire to extend your hike.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view across Flagstaff from Mount Elden Summit</td></tr>
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The trails up the slope for about 3/4th of a mile through forest and then into open steep meadows until reaching the radio tower access road again on a flat plateau area. Here, the final stretch to the summit is obvious to the towers. Or, you can stay to the right and head up the short slope to a view out across Flagstaff, with the grassy Turkey Park below. In fact, you can wander around toward Devil's Head Summit with additional radio towers visible. The views extend out across the entire Mogollon Rim region, with Oak Creek Canyon and Mingus Mountain visible in the far distance.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Francisco Peaks rise above Turkey Park</td></tr>
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Once you've explored the Mount Elden summit area, just get on the access road and follow it down back to Sunset Park. Then, follow the Upper Oldham Trail back down the steep slopes through dense forest back to the Brookbank Trailhead and your car to have completed the loop.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get an early start in summer to avoid afternoon monsoon thunderstorms</td></tr>
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The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-70504487675611059532013-07-04T20:04:00.000-07:002013-07-04T20:16:17.751-07:00Teide Volcano Caldera Loop, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywpRIrWq6JKpxLOM76rserUyHtkWKxl2mq45C0NJTt1qADjl_RruuZNtFgixv1pxGEkRTaT7DwG8CbG7P7NaIlIN7rpx-T42ygMJJB3HJNR3QC8ZfU-BUDlyxAs0EXiulw20SzkrLEI8B/s1600/Lunar+trail+-+Echium+wildpretii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yABRFdFaHCW_3mP-G8oV9NS4p_M5ZIegVolUBBuMkY7HovflBYFcFVytlCfTG0cbzAErVsomCSCvCP-NQ7YBBaOc59Ad4W_9i50sYnMqF41B-7NSFumgh8FA8h3tVwXZDHiV7dSX6Z4q/s1600/Teide4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yABRFdFaHCW_3mP-G8oV9NS4p_M5ZIegVolUBBuMkY7HovflBYFcFVytlCfTG0cbzAErVsomCSCvCP-NQ7YBBaOc59Ad4W_9i50sYnMqF41B-7NSFumgh8FA8h3tVwXZDHiV7dSX6Z4q/s400/Teide4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Distance:</strong> 6.5 miles (10.5 km)<br />
<strong>Elevation:</strong> 7,050 - 7,400 feet (2,150 - 2,255 m)<br />
<strong>Difficulty:</strong> Moderately Easy<br />
<strong>Time of Year:</strong> Anytime<br />
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The island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, just off the coast is North Africa is a magical place. While heavily visited by tourists from Northern Europe, there is a reason why. It's mild climate, diversity of ecosystems, and amazing scenery make it well worth the visit. If you are interested in biogeography, then this is your place, with numerous endemic species who have been isolated from the mainland for millenia. I'll do a series on places to visit on Tenerife in the next couple of week. Today, I'll start with a hike at the base of Teide Volcano.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teide summit cone with icy chunks on the lava flows</td></tr>
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Teide Volcano is 12,197 feet above sea level and 24,600 feet above the ocean floor, making it the largest volcano in the world outside of Hawaii. When most people visit the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands and head up onto the Teide Volcano, they usually do two things. Either they just do a drive through of the caldera, or they get on the cable car to ride it up to the 11,660 foot elevation of the terminal station. Getting to the summit requires an additional hike up and a special use permit, as it is very limited access. We too planned to take the cable car up. But, high winds and icy conditions closed the cable car for the day. Thus, we decided to go for a hike inside the caldera instead.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog rolling up from the outer slopes of the caldera<br />
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To access the caldera and trails, you can either drive up from Puerto de la Cruz (the way we accessed) or from Vilaflor (the way we exited the national park). Then, once in the caldera, you can park at the <span style="background-color: #76a5af; text-align: justify;">Parador Hotel Las Cañadas or at the pullout just below the cable car station called the Teleferico. Either spot will connect you to the loop. The loop is actually two different trails that connect together, #19 and #16.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooms and subalpine vegetation in the caldera</td></tr>
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At these subalpine elevations, the climate is dry and can either be very hot or very cold. The elevation is such that moisture from the ocean condenses at lower elevations resulting in a fog-belt that supports the Canary Island Pine forests. But, these clouds do not reach much higher, resulting in desert-like conditions above. As you hike, you will see scattered brooms and small shrubs, but not much else.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The endemic <em>Echium wildpretii</em> grow on the volcanic rocks only in this caldera</td></tr>
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The trail from the Parador hotel follows an old dirt track up toward the edge of the caldera. You will see large stalked rosettes of <i>Echium </i>growing on the the rocky outcrops. Like many subalpine plants in tropical regions, it has taken on a classic stalked rosette form. When it flowers, a huge plume of bright pink flowers will climb up to 1-2 meters high. This is just one of the several species of endemic <i>Echiums</i> that live in the Canary Islands that evolved in isolation over millions of years. They are familiar to many gardeners, as a number of species in this genus are grown as ornamentals.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers of <em>Echium wildpretii</em> </td></tr>
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The trail from the Parador will weave through a number of rocky formations, past some high volcanic dikes, and then descend down to connect with trail #16 just past a few old shacks. Here you will swing left and follow the track straight for the Teide peak. Along the way you will enter a small canyon, where the endemic Canary island lizard species can be seen scrambling among the rocks.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The endemic Tenerife lizard (<em>Gallotia galloti</em>)</td></tr>
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This trail will then enter a dry wash and emerge eventually at the main road crossing the park, with the cable car station visible above. Just as you reach the road, turn left and follow the Trail #16 as it parallels the road through a desolate desert-like landscape along the base of a volcanic cone. You will be able to see the Parador Hotel in the distance, so just keep following this track toward it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanic dikes, resistant to erosion, emerge above the caldera</td></tr>
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If the clouds remain below the lip of the caldera, the Los Roques del Teide will be visible ahead. The remnant of a volcanic dikes. But, it is always possible that the fog will rise up and into the caldera, obscuring the views, but also cooling you down in the hot sun of the mid-day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GupemtvOswDgQ9luT55GouD3y-PgBgOb9GD-uGMNxKNGRT-RNaKhLeokuv1Jm7EJNZ1qqgDxYiFRfRqteTSvbIFU7JPEUUfowJ4zEzABFUj_wIMnvj8e-Ifi_1cgr6ldsgNp6AvM8vCf/s1600/Teide+crater+-+Las+Canada4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GupemtvOswDgQ9luT55GouD3y-PgBgOb9GD-uGMNxKNGRT-RNaKhLeokuv1Jm7EJNZ1qqgDxYiFRfRqteTSvbIFU7JPEUUfowJ4zEzABFUj_wIMnvj8e-Ifi_1cgr6ldsgNp6AvM8vCf/s400/Teide+crater+-+Las+Canada4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the trail in the caldera...La Canada ridge beyond</td></tr>
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Soon you will return to your vehicle. If the weather permits, you can ride the Teleferico up to over 11,000 feet for a view out across the entire island. But, it is also possible that high winds or icy conditions will make that not possible. Keep checking out the website for additional places to visit on the island of Tenerife.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kgLdqlCG0jK5nkE2XwJGJMDBig5Z2T8g3J8G-uYN-k2S2gPMxvQ6IZlKpbPs1wHNkLk2ItwmHcilKpgodQveUtSB8dh0PBUVRn9g64i1sh8RpvCFSBtrg-v7115oCvVo65191Hc_wjft/s1600/Teide+-+roches+de+Garcia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kgLdqlCG0jK5nkE2XwJGJMDBig5Z2T8g3J8G-uYN-k2S2gPMxvQ6IZlKpbPs1wHNkLk2ItwmHcilKpgodQveUtSB8dh0PBUVRn9g64i1sh8RpvCFSBtrg-v7115oCvVo65191Hc_wjft/s400/Teide+-+roches+de+Garcia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Roques del Teide</td></tr>
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The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-7334933968392308092013-05-03T21:17:00.002-07:002013-05-03T21:17:32.197-07:00Bear Mountain, Sedona Red Rocks, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFb7-opC0oo4NENrTEK5tonqOs5TIZibqTbNp0L2zd2jkDcixQRFzhkyxKJ89gMQbpgM2nxcp7V08f9yZIl-ES0b-mqjQPNHvyfbMXBxkXAtBjRUV8-eRAm8SuJqGJ4GcCQloeQgZ2bUZ/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFb7-opC0oo4NENrTEK5tonqOs5TIZibqTbNp0L2zd2jkDcixQRFzhkyxKJ89gMQbpgM2nxcp7V08f9yZIl-ES0b-mqjQPNHvyfbMXBxkXAtBjRUV8-eRAm8SuJqGJ4GcCQloeQgZ2bUZ/s400/IMG_4799.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>5.4 miles<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>4750 - 6650 feet<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Strenuous<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>October - May<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the trail with the first "step" ahead</td></tr>
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Bear Mountain may be the most spectacular day hike in the Sedona Red Rocks region, and that is saying a lot! It is very steep, quite rugged, but the views are absolutely incredible. The mountain is sort of like a large staircase, consisting of several more level areas punctuated by steep rocky inclines. However, as much as my knees ached following the hike, my little 5-year old daughter made it to the top, so it isn't too bad.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the amphitheater and the edge of the cliff to the 2nd "step"</td></tr>
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To access the trailhead, take Dry Creek road north from Hwy 89A in West Sedona to the junction with Boynton Canyon Road. Turn left and follow the road past the Boynton Canyon Resort and off toward Palatki Ruins. After passing the parking area for Fay Canyon, look for a large parking area on the left. From here, there are two trailheads. The easier and shorter Doe Mountain leaves from the lot, while Bear Mountain trail leaves from across the road.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lLIQzIu8J38fepCYXk19_ibxJNlHuaudQmY8SIePYlWzAldjY4y9mk4MsDYjiRLxDpf5_ujAb7hdmi9lTzWlu3Els8DFCn6Djy4RPlRBbVFRm_86g0o-_e8yhGmR-NPJj_Atn8SVeOy/s1600/IMG_4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lLIQzIu8J38fepCYXk19_ibxJNlHuaudQmY8SIePYlWzAldjY4y9mk4MsDYjiRLxDpf5_ujAb7hdmi9lTzWlu3Els8DFCn6Djy4RPlRBbVFRm_86g0o-_e8yhGmR-NPJj_Atn8SVeOy/s400/IMG_4782.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of the 2nd step with the Verde Rim visible</td></tr>
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The trail starts out crossing a couple of washes along the sediments at the base of the mountain. But, once you hit the red rocks, it climbs pretty steeply up the slope. Keep your eyes out for the rock cairns showing the safest route. The trail makes it to the top of the first "step" in under half a mile. But, then the trail heads up into an amphitheater and looking at the steep cliffs in the back you figure there is no way up on top of the plateau. Soon however, you head up a steep notch in deeply indented switchbacks and before you know it, you have a spectacular view looking down upon the flats and trailhead a few hundred feet down.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking across the plateau of the 2nd step with Bear Mountain summit visible beyond</td></tr>
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The view from here would be impressive enough, but there is much more to do. Looking north, you can see the summit of Bear Mountain rising as just a smooth ridge a little above the plateau you are on. Looks can be deceiving. After a stretch of relatively flat hiking with an gradual incline, the trail comes up to the edge of two canyons dropping steeply down below. You have to descend down to the isthmus between the canyons and then the trail starts up again very steeply.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVaiC38GOWa9kqwTH5rUDnTGH-zTYmiEyKiGLeVMiWYOORRtPCE2PIUjafTtYS7Zh4iu3ki7c7UjmVKMVfon8wM28rxjhv0hQlaSlzWH52xBO5lV0PHHp8WMWDiNDiC3053mcTvFquy8F/s1600/IMG_4793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVaiC38GOWa9kqwTH5rUDnTGH-zTYmiEyKiGLeVMiWYOORRtPCE2PIUjafTtYS7Zh4iu3ki7c7UjmVKMVfon8wM28rxjhv0hQlaSlzWH52xBO5lV0PHHp8WMWDiNDiC3053mcTvFquy8F/s400/IMG_4793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view down onto the 2nd step (flat area) from the 3rd step</td></tr>
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Along this ascent, the rocks change over from the red Supai Group formation that is distinctive of Sedona to the wavey layers of Coconino Sandstone that preserve the ancient sand dunes of a once vast desert. The trail climbs up higher and higher, allowing views over the Verde Rim off to Granite Mountain and the Mazatzal Mountains far off to the southwest and southeast respectively. As the trail reaches the first ponderosa pines clinging to the precarious cliffs, a view into spectacular Fay Canyon opens up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXleDOMR30UQm3YjtQdPqUPA_0QPFbZbxaQBSN1QC8UX6IC4w4y2KsXttqZOKeBDD5n7LZWmAdK2SRHFiu4n5TTi5ENLsdIZofHnS8HqT2h8TpnkK9C5ucz3e1uk2JZQLJ4KfnitTBAZA/s1600/IMG_4800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXleDOMR30UQm3YjtQdPqUPA_0QPFbZbxaQBSN1QC8UX6IC4w4y2KsXttqZOKeBDD5n7LZWmAdK2SRHFiu4n5TTi5ENLsdIZofHnS8HqT2h8TpnkK9C5ucz3e1uk2JZQLJ4KfnitTBAZA/s400/IMG_4800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view down into Fay Canyon from the Coconino sandstone</td></tr>
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The trail all-but-disappears on this sandstone, so it is very important to continue to watch for the rock cairns. Suddenly you feel like you are in a different world. This area has some real similarities to hiking at Zion National Park, as the cross-beaded sandstone has oaks and pines clinging to cracks above deep red canyons below. However, this is Coconino Sandstone, not the Navajo Sandstone found further north that would sit several layers higher if it had still remained in this area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pines clinging to Coconino sandstone beds near the top of Bear Mountain</td></tr>
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At the edge of the where the Coconino Sandstone transitions into Kaibab Limestone is one of the most spectacular places to rest and soak in the views. There are nice shade trees, flat rocks to lay or sit on, and a great place for a snack and drink before the final ascent to the summit. Truth be told, this is actually where the best views are. But, one must reach the summit I suppose, so after a long rest, it was time to conquer the final couple hundred feet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco Peaks visible from the summit of Bear Mountain</td></tr>
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The climb on the Kaibab Limestone is slippery, dusty, and much more difficult footing than on the sandstone. You lose your views into the canyon as well. But, upon reaching the summit of Bear Mountain, you can get your first and only glimpse out across the Mogollon Rim and Coconino Plateau. The snow-capped San Francisco Peaks are visible to the north, while Bill Williams Mountain can be seen to the northwest. Since that is where most of the hikers will congregate, I didn't long and headed back down to my more shaded and lovely spot one level below.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPuiFlQMUeNH_BTTaSUnbV0VXAneRF0zP6hkst5m0yStpZGVUqY71259jyQWz2ilj_VSoSH0P-Mqv_CdGNre6AMyNaYpvtApTIwmqKWD2XYrbQ3JiI2nQditQ_55XGfXUDiWGhHzog8pW/s1600/IMG_4815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPuiFlQMUeNH_BTTaSUnbV0VXAneRF0zP6hkst5m0yStpZGVUqY71259jyQWz2ilj_VSoSH0P-Mqv_CdGNre6AMyNaYpvtApTIwmqKWD2XYrbQ3JiI2nQditQ_55XGfXUDiWGhHzog8pW/s400/IMG_4815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down across the Coconino Sandstone</td></tr>
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As hikers often say, it is much easier going up than going down. Not only is the traction easier, but your knees do not take the pounding. Thus, it often takes more time going down than it did to go up, despite taking more energy to go up. Now that you have to descend some 2,000 feet, take your time, soak in the views, and watch your footing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWazUWQhncF4ica8B08jRg7MKBMhpZcwAv9UmyFF-5UbeHrVU_2NEr7FDTAK53S9nahXQAnfMsmYwLtrrWCgV_Je4mMTpHVhNkrZv6e9BhT7BgnskWfR6gISu92EXaYROUMlMZALQVSfx/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWazUWQhncF4ica8B08jRg7MKBMhpZcwAv9UmyFF-5UbeHrVU_2NEr7FDTAK53S9nahXQAnfMsmYwLtrrWCgV_Je4mMTpHVhNkrZv6e9BhT7BgnskWfR6gISu92EXaYROUMlMZALQVSfx/s400/IMG_4818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down into Fay Canyon</td></tr>
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In many ways, with the "goal" of reaching the top out of the way, it is easier to really just absorb the magnificent beauty of the region on your way down. But, do be warned if you have bad knees, take it easy and you probably should use hiking sticks to absorb the blows.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view down one of the side canyons near "The Isthmus"</td></tr>
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Bear Mountain is a true masterpiece of Central Arizona. Be aware of extreme heat in summer. Rattlesnakes can be found on the trail in the heat of the summer as well. This hike should only be done in the spring or fall and be aware of possible ice in winter. But, if the weather is right and you are up to it, I am not sure any place in the region can be beaten for just pure scenic views and variety.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-66705481199360583772013-04-12T20:50:00.000-07:002013-04-12T20:50:14.692-07:00Windley Key Fossil Reef Fossil Geologic State Park, Florida Keys, Florida<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaj8j7EnUAPMZWF3qJlWf7prbZqOKfNTYl680rC06yKmemTot4q5qfj3Uj-ToDvQ7IDRcklk6HMEyayQg0rl94URaavTd3hwLfTUkwUBS7L21E8ZW04nRPw6lBqs4809wOL7c2f615TQ0/s1600/DSCN2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaj8j7EnUAPMZWF3qJlWf7prbZqOKfNTYl680rC06yKmemTot4q5qfj3Uj-ToDvQ7IDRcklk6HMEyayQg0rl94URaavTd3hwLfTUkwUBS7L21E8ZW04nRPw6lBqs4809wOL7c2f615TQ0/s400/DSCN2086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>1.5 miles (2.4 km)<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Easy<br />
<b>Elevation: Sea Level to 15 feet </b>(4.5 meters)<br />
<b>Time of Year:</b> December - April<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossilized coral</td></tr>
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Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is located on Windley Key just a few miles west of Key Largo, at mile marker 84.9 of U.S. Highway 1. It is the site of the old quarry where Henry Flagler quarried limestone for the construction of his Overseas Railroad from mainland Florida to Key West in the early 1900's. Exposed in the quarry are beautiful fossilized coral heads from a time during the Pleistocene when sea levels were higher and this site was an active coral reef. You can see brain coral, finger coral, and star coral formations in the exposed rock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4giII2a7xoc1iFY_kmUeFuRR4IEFIxjZGhRfjOam2EduPR2ktdeq1FRfzAXENfDuDPYw5qTA46W6iMrr_pgiqG6qwxk-ND6Kpki9_VtVRmuVOhFs9ykYGM9iqumJcHtKpOglvDjuszrX/s1600/DSCN2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4giII2a7xoc1iFY_kmUeFuRR4IEFIxjZGhRfjOam2EduPR2ktdeq1FRfzAXENfDuDPYw5qTA46W6iMrr_pgiqG6qwxk-ND6Kpki9_VtVRmuVOhFs9ykYGM9iqumJcHtKpOglvDjuszrX/s400/DSCN2072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is a small visitor center which information about how the reef was formed, as well as, how Henry Flagler quarried the site. From the quarry, there are two loop trails that leave for exploring the 30 acres of preserved tropical hardwood hammock forest. This site was at risk for being converted into condominiums in the 1980's, before local residents stepped up to preserve the site.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gumbo Limbo Tree</td></tr>
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These hardwood hammocks contain a variety of plant and animal species unique to North America and more representative to the Caribbean and tropical Americas. Representative trees such as Gumbo Limbo, Jamaican dogwood, West Indian mahagony, Pigeon plum, willow bustic, Florida boxwood, wild mastic, poisonwood, and many others are very common. Harder to see are the white-crowned pigeons that live up in the canopy eating fruit. The hardwood hammocks of the Florida Keys are the only place in the United States that this species can be seen. But, they are very secretive, so your best chance may be a brief glimpse of them flying from tree to tree.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The understory of the tropical hardwood hammock</td></tr>
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The wide trail will take you through the hammock. The understory is more open than the hammocks within the Everglades. In the dry season, mosquitoes should not be all that noticeable. At 0.3 miles, the Sunset Trail heads to the left and descends slightly to the edge of the mangroves along the northern shore of the island. You may see wading birds along here, as well as, the elusive mangrove cuckoo. Returning the main loop, continue on the Hammock Trail as it loops through the forest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjLylc63jXz6ouwt0L5ikoJk9JPs0uHLEdyt6TckbA_39-3lLJhSkuBbfA3BlzehuqZD0cIVOO2Kpp9nrcgCQMXfCd844mklKW2Je0jFmyCz_MhwjrRqJiNTFDb0lVYyQxwhSRbDnBUWI/s1600/DSCN2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjLylc63jXz6ouwt0L5ikoJk9JPs0uHLEdyt6TckbA_39-3lLJhSkuBbfA3BlzehuqZD0cIVOO2Kpp9nrcgCQMXfCd844mklKW2Je0jFmyCz_MhwjrRqJiNTFDb0lVYyQxwhSRbDnBUWI/s400/DSCN2069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Due to the ability for limestone to drain water so readily, the forest floor contains a number of cactus species including an unidentified tree cactus, prickly pears, and the triangle cactus (<i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Acanthocereus tetragonus)</i>, also known by locals as the Dildo cactus or barbed-wire cactus.</div>
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After admiring this unique forest ecosystem full of amazing biodiversity, the trail will return you to the main quarry. Here you will see large blocks laid out in the center of the quarry where the coralline shapes are easily visible. Wander along the edge of the quarry to see the innumerable shapes and variety of corals in the rocks. But, just be aware of your head, as poisonwood leaves overhang spots along the site.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUmcPqhaviIm2mkjd56PMRJs-6O3ZrRfW4KGQzN5KZm5_MqSE_hE5xdg8go0mvz-y0xND6l-alRAjM4JBPYyKGww7zMS60B07MmF102vWFX7V95bL01boc4U8pC_b45KWiTFQXk6C_dGW/s1600/DSCN2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUmcPqhaviIm2mkjd56PMRJs-6O3ZrRfW4KGQzN5KZm5_MqSE_hE5xdg8go0mvz-y0xND6l-alRAjM4JBPYyKGww7zMS60B07MmF102vWFX7V95bL01boc4U8pC_b45KWiTFQXk6C_dGW/s400/DSCN2090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a quick place to stretch your legs and experience some fascinating history and even more amazing ecological diversity on the long journey to Key West from Miami. So, make a stop here, as these types of tropical hardwood hammocks are quickly disappearing from South Florida due to the constant progression of development.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-24206930721590480432013-03-31T16:28:00.003-07:002013-03-31T16:28:42.582-07:00Lost Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park, CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOLbCBFWoUCxOtVk5AN6EY7kydci4QGuaJIWHEz4UuINaxgHY_S0ESBLQ0M5A78zYcMf0mv8K9TfSJqR4NORJmSKZ_7CNkUB_HAPLxnR4H_RIKJQNerQPXOxdRQ_TX0ODMUo-ltOpYXaz/s1600/Lost+Palms+Oasis3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOLbCBFWoUCxOtVk5AN6EY7kydci4QGuaJIWHEz4UuINaxgHY_S0ESBLQ0M5A78zYcMf0mv8K9TfSJqR4NORJmSKZ_7CNkUB_HAPLxnR4H_RIKJQNerQPXOxdRQ_TX0ODMUo-ltOpYXaz/s400/Lost+Palms+Oasis3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 7.4 miles round trip (11.9 km)<br />
<b>Elevation:</b> 3005 - 3150 feet (915 - 960 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderate<br />
<b>Time of Year:</b> late October - early May<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE2ie_qMFtfvAsmJT7xDiZ8kvVbHyNCyMETr8q92PBxtNlisELLhTwLHPUJcA2GmVr6Egtjz-G6tDa4xE7P3-rj0tI0EU4pi75UnYcZTzBPfxxi5qz55koXm8HeAZQiOV50m8PpZnWQql/s1600/Lost+Palms+Oasis6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE2ie_qMFtfvAsmJT7xDiZ8kvVbHyNCyMETr8q92PBxtNlisELLhTwLHPUJcA2GmVr6Egtjz-G6tDa4xE7P3-rj0tI0EU4pi75UnYcZTzBPfxxi5qz55koXm8HeAZQiOV50m8PpZnWQql/s400/Lost+Palms+Oasis6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every been to a California Fan Palm Oasis? Although commonly planted in Southern California cities, the native range of this species includes only158 oases scattered across the Mojave Desert at the base of mountains and canyons that have seeps to provide a year round supply of water. I wrote about a couple of the oases that are easy to visit, including <a href="http://www.taylorlenz.com/2012/01/mountain-palms-oasis-at-anza-borrego.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Mountain Palm Oasis </a>here and<u style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.taylorlenz.com/2010/03/mountain-palm-oasis-at-anza-borrego.html">HERE </a></u>in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County. I personally have visited about 12 of these oases, including the only one in Arizona. But, if you want to visit a fan palm oasis that you have to hike to miles away from the nearest road, then Lost Palms Oasis is the one for you.</div>
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The trail to the Lost Palms Oasis starts at the Cottonwood Springs Campground in the southern portion of Joshua Tree National Park. Cottonwood Springs itself is a small palm oasis, that has one large cottonwood in the middle of it. But, it is nothing compared to what you will see at Lost Palms Oasis. The easiest access is to take the exit off of Interstate 10 east of Indio to the South Entrance to the park.</div>
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From Cottonwood Springs, the trail heads across a landscape of jumbled granite boulders and beautiful vistas. Along the trail you can easily see the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains and Mount San Jacinto rising above the Coachella Valley. At one point, the entire Salton Sea, located 226 feet below sea level, comes into view.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salton Sea is visible from along the trail</td></tr>
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The trail then comes over a rise and a dry wash flush with California junipers and evergreen desert scrub oak who enjoy the shade and extra moisture that accumulates in the washes. As you look over the dry landscape dominated by common Mojave Desert vegetation of yucca, rabbit brush, and cholla, it is still hard to image that there will be palm trees out here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PQxDd7irB00jDbJDlTBV5wU0zwLit47Cb16K1r6IsRae7Uwk9v6J6UpZnutIs25edXhWeDDBL7008Zmd-nHL0ChLyX57YJpB8oGk_hHU4doOPbUvPSCkkZ20tPfwmjgA2Gvju6-_BLDb/s1600/Lost+Palms+Trail7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PQxDd7irB00jDbJDlTBV5wU0zwLit47Cb16K1r6IsRae7Uwk9v6J6UpZnutIs25edXhWeDDBL7008Zmd-nHL0ChLyX57YJpB8oGk_hHU4doOPbUvPSCkkZ20tPfwmjgA2Gvju6-_BLDb/s400/Lost+Palms+Trail7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then, as you come over another rise, suddenly you see a canyon with these clumps of 60 foot high palm trees rising in a terraced wash. There is no water flowing on the surface, but you can see how it works its way down the wash based on the contours of the granite rocks and where the palms are located.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQIsrdiO8gAwHkivdplKWrP5PWMVwdlTBo3a1c6l9Mq38BRFcj2fGHSovFaLIg4_GKzKDzmjYdh1Fgb6bH1v83-Ak3iez9rqedYq0vHadRtBaNhmgUPLMEnCOPAWN_MDIZJ1_URP_bzJV/s1600/Lost+Palms+Oasis2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQIsrdiO8gAwHkivdplKWrP5PWMVwdlTBo3a1c6l9Mq38BRFcj2fGHSovFaLIg4_GKzKDzmjYdh1Fgb6bH1v83-Ak3iez9rqedYq0vHadRtBaNhmgUPLMEnCOPAWN_MDIZJ1_URP_bzJV/s400/Lost+Palms+Oasis2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first glimpse of the fan palms</td></tr>
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Once you get down into the palm grove itself, you will see that many of the palms have burn scars on their trunks and several that are dead. Fire is actually an important function that maintains these ecosystems. Palms can resprout their fronds following fire and fires will clear out other vegetation trying to compete for the available water. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the wash amongst the palms</td></tr>
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Palms who have not burned in recent years will have dead fronds that skirt the trunk, sometimes all the way to the ground. These provide habitat for birds nesting and insulate the trunk from occasional winter cold snaps. California fan palm fruits were an important food source for native peoples historically, in addition to the obvious water source in the area. Today, the fruits remain important to the many Mojave Desert birds who visit these oases.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the surface springs in the lower portion of the wash</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">If you visit the lower portions of the oasis, there will possibly be small pools of open water. </span>These springs and seeps are critical habitat for amphibians and insect species in an otherwise completely dry landscape. Canyon tree frogs are common in these oases. The Desert slender salamander is no longer found in Joshua Tree NP, but does live in two fan palm oases in the Santa Rosa mountains, the last place on Earth for this species. Desert pupfish are also found at a few oases. Obviously, these surface springs also provide critical water supplies for animals such as desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, mule deer, mountain lions, coyotes, and many others.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the canyon from the end of the oasis</td></tr>
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Continuing down the wash, the palms thin out and then the wash steepens into a narrow canyon that feeds all the way out of the mountains. This is probably a good place to turn around. Joshua Tree National Park has a number of other hidden fan palm oases in the surrounding canyons, but it would require a lot of off-trail exploration over rugged terrain to find them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking back amongst yucca and granite</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-15093987064597697122013-03-31T09:40:00.000-07:002013-03-31T09:40:03.853-07:00Hidden Valley Loop, Joshua Tree National Park, CA<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE7GfyQW0Xbk3gTyox0vPMVBHzE8VufYS5V1UOU39f3ZaHeYrKw_LgCCP1EYGMjGE30MjHPW_SYRd28HPZ7EUVw_VYMwZqZf3lnTQSbywIwcPzR5a1botnxNeSbmWYcutwoZpq6lR7jCh/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE7GfyQW0Xbk3gTyox0vPMVBHzE8VufYS5V1UOU39f3ZaHeYrKw_LgCCP1EYGMjGE30MjHPW_SYRd28HPZ7EUVw_VYMwZqZf3lnTQSbywIwcPzR5a1botnxNeSbmWYcutwoZpq6lR7jCh/s400/IMG_2549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 1.0 mile (1.6 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>4,160-4,250 feet (1268 - 1295 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year:</b> late October - early May<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMrb61ROybHsAZBCuSaBT3NSmmxh25TLRDm0R8SYBkg1F_lW6HImD3Zi5M0fHp_MjzMV29If6xbGgcQTNCdX5H6CXtj8lPEx1_VmY7qMkbF5TgrTQ2smaL8jEEHnme6iTHYcAUrNWYvKO/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMrb61ROybHsAZBCuSaBT3NSmmxh25TLRDm0R8SYBkg1F_lW6HImD3Zi5M0fHp_MjzMV29If6xbGgcQTNCdX5H6CXtj8lPEx1_VmY7qMkbF5TgrTQ2smaL8jEEHnme6iTHYcAUrNWYvKO/s400/IMG_2553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hidden Valley is one of the most popular stops for visitors to Joshua Tree National Park. And for good reason. The hike is short and easy and the vegetation is stunning. Generally I have a policy to try and avoid the most popular stops and crowds. But, this hike is so beautiful that it is definitely worth it. If you can simply get here early to avoid the late arriving crowds from the campgrounds, then you can still have this place all to yourself, as we did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzydsGSl9rXIiTW57w7_DryP4u1x1DoFeIIb-GYmpzot7lC6mvNB9QKvZpeN8b5Gvprc6sebIyROu60TjCayBaBoKnyxg_al3sgFFPEVGQkP_df11DuFtgvMrueW-dUkxpb6cD-005Eshi/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzydsGSl9rXIiTW57w7_DryP4u1x1DoFeIIb-GYmpzot7lC6mvNB9QKvZpeN8b5Gvprc6sebIyROu60TjCayBaBoKnyxg_al3sgFFPEVGQkP_df11DuFtgvMrueW-dUkxpb6cD-005Eshi/s400/IMG_2550.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hidden Valley is a completely enclosed bowl surrounded by a wall of granite. The enclosed nature of the place allows it to have denser and richer vegetation than the surrounding area due to its funneling scant rainfall into the bowl, the protection of the bowl from strong winds, and the shade it provides keeping it cooler inside. <span style="text-align: center;">It was not even barely known about to white pioneers until a rancher blew a hole into the rocks to allow his cattle to graze on the rich grasses contained within it. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Many of the lush grasses are now gone, but you will still find clumps of native bunchgrasses in densities higher than the surrounding area.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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Getting to this hike is easy. Take the main park road at the West Entrance from the town of Joshua Tree on CA-62 up toward the center of the park. The turnoff to Hidden Valley trail is obvious. You can also access it on the main park road from the South Entrance off of Interstate-10. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOFFHYgnEu2C3IxaZWf7pGOuAnKdxLUPv9iJPuoSbRr_jpyKoeW7vXZT0JnzI9vO7JULheZhzsP2ULZ6CD2MOMDxjfo3r_fuOwiOviBUSsjZWoR3-cg2o_EUnySOaVdkTsJZffmNQGrfy/s1600/IMG_2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOFFHYgnEu2C3IxaZWf7pGOuAnKdxLUPv9iJPuoSbRr_jpyKoeW7vXZT0JnzI9vO7JULheZhzsP2ULZ6CD2MOMDxjfo3r_fuOwiOviBUSsjZWoR3-cg2o_EUnySOaVdkTsJZffmNQGrfy/s400/IMG_2545.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail starts by climbing up a slope and through the narrow notch blasted out of the rock by ranchers back in the day. The trail then meets the intersection of the loop. You can choose to go left or right. The trail will follow along the edges of the rock walls revealing incredible granite boulders. In the shadier spots, pinyon pines and evergreen turbinella oaks cling to the rocks. In the middle of the valley, lush growth of bunch-grasses, small shrubs, dwarf California junipers, Mojave yucca, and Joshua trees grow.</div>
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Toward the back of the valley, you climb up a little onto some rocky platforms, then curve back toward the beginning. There are a couple of rocky places again toward the entrance, but the kids will love climbing on the rock. In March, if there have been good winter rains, the wildflowers will be in full bloom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywkirWpGG0FimnOaUUUXzz8gzbjMErwIJ1yjFBUrphdnVEP6RJAC8ikONFtQ0kInwihATqhvI9LAPJknBA0ZsfWvOFcXMaIJE6wyU_Iof9UPfI95kvaBXBd9YA95lwcDjFpzot1T9QIMh/s1600/IMG_2559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywkirWpGG0FimnOaUUUXzz8gzbjMErwIJ1yjFBUrphdnVEP6RJAC8ikONFtQ0kInwihATqhvI9LAPJknBA0ZsfWvOFcXMaIJE6wyU_Iof9UPfI95kvaBXBd9YA95lwcDjFpzot1T9QIMh/s400/IMG_2559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-59018698269625470212013-02-10T18:10:00.001-08:002013-02-10T18:10:21.102-08:00Mesquite Canyon Loop, White Tank Mountians Regional Park, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6B0VhXkJxScGwnY6tW2gr76JpL-bVgdI_NviwL_bmUSMQ3xJMmGIZGCSbNpcLRIKGLwvnXuWLN2jfo4AEgx9p41OlJUfoOxGI8mlGAlaCiU4WePLAn_TeoHjFuRGHP7rGIM8zkYWRuQL/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6B0VhXkJxScGwnY6tW2gr76JpL-bVgdI_NviwL_bmUSMQ3xJMmGIZGCSbNpcLRIKGLwvnXuWLN2jfo4AEgx9p41OlJUfoOxGI8mlGAlaCiU4WePLAn_TeoHjFuRGHP7rGIM8zkYWRuQL/s400/IMG_4527.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>7.7 mile loop (12.4 km)<br />
<b>Elevation:</b> 1,545 - 2,900 feet (470 - 885 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Moderate<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>November - April<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LS67C8x73Bfd_C4yrMHPfg3SgDp1iaMhwwP9RjsNCSytMr38T9z5BzoAb6gcJmdhR30CiXTdqWtLvIS6QcOKl-s0xVuRCQKC-WSMPCyhMdx9DIDp2vTxD42S2mWUcSDcUaRqabE5eo5G/s1600/IMG_4508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LS67C8x73Bfd_C4yrMHPfg3SgDp1iaMhwwP9RjsNCSytMr38T9z5BzoAb6gcJmdhR30CiXTdqWtLvIS6QcOKl-s0xVuRCQKC-WSMPCyhMdx9DIDp2vTxD42S2mWUcSDcUaRqabE5eo5G/s400/IMG_4508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Located on the western edge of the sprawl of the Phoenix metropolitan area is a beautiful stretch of Sonoran Desert set aside by Maricopa County for the enjoyment of all. The White Tank Mountains Regional Park offers Phoenicians and visitors alike an opportunity to hike in an area with a true wilderness feel right outside of the ever expanding housing developments and strip malls of the western suburbs. The Mesquite Canyon Loop offers hikers a chance to go deep into the White Tank Mountains to see some year-round springs and green vegetation in the middle of this bone-dry area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little junior ranger out on the trail on her 5th birthday</td></tr>
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To get to the trailhead, head into Surprise, AZ using the Loop 303 from I-10 west of Phoenix or I-17 north of Phoenix. From Loop 303, look for the Olive Road exit and follow it west 5 miles to the entrance to White Tank Mountains Regional Park. The day fee for the park is about $6 or camping at $17/night. Once in, drive up the main road until Waterfall Canyon Road and turn left. Follow this to Ramada Way, turn left again and park at the trailhead parking lot. One warning, get there early if you want any solitude, because this is a very popular hike! There will be lots of people on the trail.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view across the Phoenix Basin</td></tr>
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The trail starts out across the bajada and then up into a small canyon. The trail will switchback a few times onto the slopes and then will cross the wash as it steepens. There are a number of fences to prevent people from cutting the switchbacks and there apparently used to be a trail going straight up the drainage that is now closed. The trail will climb steeply out of the drainage to the ridge top above. At the first saddle, there is a minor summit that you can climb to the top of for a panoramic view across the entire Phoenix Basin. You can easily see Downtown Phoenix, the football stadium in Glendale, and even the Four Peaks and Superstition Mountains way off in the distance if the pollution isn't too bad that day.</div>
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The trail then heads into Mesquite Canyon proper. Down below, you will see why this is called the White Tank Mountains, as where water gathers in the dry washes and pools, the rock is stained white. The trail will stay above the canyon floor on the sides of the ridge. But, there will be pools of water visible below with green algae stains and lusher patches of vegetation, including grassy flats. These are critical water sources for desert animals such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and javelina.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up Mesquite Canyon</td></tr>
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The trail will drop into the wash in a flatter section with many large ironwoods and palo verde to provide shade. Here the loop breaks left and right. You can follow the Mesquite Canyon Trail straight or the Willow Canyon Trail to the right. If you go counter-clockwise, you will climb a ridge separating Mesquite Canyon and Willow Canyon. Then you will drop down and follow Willow canyon with additional pools and white tanks in the canyon bottom below.</div>
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The trail will then work its way along the canyon, contouring the sides, until it drops down and crosses the wash as it widens out. Shortly thereafter, you come to a trail junction with Ford Canyon Trail. Stay left and the trail will cross the wash again and then climb steeply up a series of switchbacks toward the ridgetop. Just short of the top, you will meet another trail junction. This is Mesquite Canyon Trail again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-bab1T6xhYgdg353EDw4TiJLZ8krgp1lZXaikzGLLVTYCOWmK3Y71R_a0zDEzFZN_2mpk73DyczM-mOCVf6kNuAN6ev0wQ7UwzUSHs4U2zBIPCRaoq1M5lYdwUKN7EBULHjSG0u16FQL/s1600/IMG_4533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-bab1T6xhYgdg353EDw4TiJLZ8krgp1lZXaikzGLLVTYCOWmK3Y71R_a0zDEzFZN_2mpk73DyczM-mOCVf6kNuAN6ev0wQ7UwzUSHs4U2zBIPCRaoq1M5lYdwUKN7EBULHjSG0u16FQL/s400/IMG_4533.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Turn left and follow it as the climbs a bit further and crosses over the ridgetop at the back of the Mesquite Canyon. Then the trail descends quickly to the basin bottom and meets back up with the Willow Canyon junction you saw previously, making the loop complete. From here, just retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Whether you happen to live in the Valley, are coming down to warm up in winter from the Mogollon Rim, or are visiting for Spring Training, this is a great trail to experience the true Sonoran Desert just outside of the urban jungle to stretch your legs.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-21996856219651272082013-01-18T21:37:00.003-08:002013-01-18T21:37:45.323-08:00Anhinga - Gumbo Limbo Loop, Everglades National Park, Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Distance: </b>1.3 miles (2.0 km)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Easy<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>3 - 6 feet (1-2 m)<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>December - April<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-crested cormorant hanging out on the railing</td></tr>
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Florida is not exactly known for its hiking. The state is extremely flat and much of it is under water. Combine that with the summer heat and mosquitoes and it isn't the place people flock to hit the trail. But, there are some hidden gems where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a jaunt through sawgrass prairies, cypress swamps, and pine forests. But, if you are more of a casual tourist looking for a short, easy hike that offers amazing views of wildlife and a taste of the Everglades, then the Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Loop are the place for you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Gar in the canal</td></tr>
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If solitude is what you are looking for, then this isn't the place. It is one of the most popular tourists spots in the Everglades due to its short distance, ease of seeing wildlife, and the fact that it is the first stop on the main road after the visitor center. But, as with most places, if you get an early enough start, you can still have the place to yourself. If you arrive at 8am or so, most of the tourists will still be at their hotel in Homestead having breakfast. To get here, simply drive into Everglades National Park on the main road and at the first turnoff after the visitor center turn left. It is clearly labeled. Drive to the end of the road. There is a small visitor center/gift shop and restrooms at both trailheads.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh at end of the boardwalk with anhinga drying its wings (left)</td></tr>
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The Anhinga Trail is a 0.4 mile roundtrip that starts off following an old road bed, with a canal dug out to provide the limestone road bed material. These are known as "borrow pits" since they needed to borrow the land to pile up enough material to make a dry road in an otherwise flooded landscape. These borrow pits are a great place to look for alligators, Florida gar, and turtles. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator hanging out in the lily pads</td></tr>
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During the dry season, when much of the water disappears from the surrounding sawgrass prairies, much of the wildlife will congregate here in the deeper waters of the pits. Thus, this area will have an extremely high concentration of animals.The trail follows the road bed and canal, with many birds just hanging out along the edges of it, then arrives at a boardwalk loop that will take you out into the marsh. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_gtTjQ8sOTP0uxBMHRwzKc_LTvGLecEIrGbUJImuD02K6SLGNs37cVaRegbqKS-nu-vucwXL75lDpc7tZ4sUJkJZwgSGCmP1IUMFpbqJQ64PIwR84P4MkQWHDNij7nIJ5q0XCd6FYS_l/s1600/Green+backed+heron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_gtTjQ8sOTP0uxBMHRwzKc_LTvGLecEIrGbUJImuD02K6SLGNs37cVaRegbqKS-nu-vucwXL75lDpc7tZ4sUJkJZwgSGCmP1IUMFpbqJQ64PIwR84P4MkQWHDNij7nIJ5q0XCd6FYS_l/s400/Green+backed+heron.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-backed heron</td></tr>
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The boardwalk enters a wetland dominated by willows, pond apples, and cattails. The pond apples are obvious as large fruit hanging from trees with large prop-roots. While edible, they are not really considered tasty. Although it is said the alligators like them. There will be a myriad of birds along the way including lots of double-crested cormorants, anhinga drying their wings, various egret and heron species, and alligators lazily cruising across the ponds. Bring your binoculars, telephoto lens, and bird ID book!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gumbo Limbo is also known as the tourist tree or sunburn tree due to its red peeling bark</td></tr>
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Upon completing the boardwalk loop and returning to the visitor center, loop for the 0.8 mile Gumbo Limbo Trail. This trail is an entirely different habitat, as it is a tropical hardwood hammock. Elevated a foot or two above the surrounding sawgrass prairies, the trees here can get their roots out of the water. Here the habitat is that of a dense forest, containing many tree species of tropical origin, such as its namesake the Gumbo Limbo tree, as well as, West Indian mahogany, poisonwood, royal palms, and many others.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare royal palm rises above the hardwood hammock</td></tr>
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The trail offers a cornucopia of plant species to look at, a lot of different forest birds that are both of tropical/Caribbean origin and familiar northern migrants who are spending the winter in Florida. Along the way, there will be holes in the exposed limestone surface filled with water. These are called "solution holes" and they form when acids from the decaying leaves eat into the limestone. During the dry season, these become homes for young alligators, fish, and other animals seeking water.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking down the Gumbo Limbo Trail</td></tr>
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Since mosquitoes prefer shady locations during the heat of the day, these hammocks are a refuge for them. Thus, during the dry season, if there are any mosquitoes anywhere, this is where you will find them. There were not too many of them in December and they didn't bother us too much as long as you kept moving. It was only when I stopped to take a picture of some bird or interesting plant that I would hear than infamous whine in my ear.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tri-colored heron</td></tr>
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If you make a visit to Everglades National Park, then the Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail are a must see along the way. The hike is not long, but Florida sure knows how to pack in a lot of beauty and wildlife into a small area. Visit in the dry season when the mosquitoes, heat, and humidity are at a minimum. But, realize that that is when everyone else is going. So, get an early start to beat the crowds and you will not be disappointed.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-19408534144406561372012-12-09T15:05:00.000-08:002012-12-09T15:05:35.686-08:00Sandy's Canyon - Walnut Canyon, Coconino NF, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpZNxvQKkJXjh5rsM52J3r6MCRiLiu0f3IGG4xwfKazf1SeQVO2qn-LARyZWVRawjywgNisXxYQ8rugAuZwPeWrpChmq4Lf_ntnHK4RWf37cvC4BtrCMITLq2lRy6YCvfdkFQPiKw4lPv/s1600/IMG_4183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpZNxvQKkJXjh5rsM52J3r6MCRiLiu0f3IGG4xwfKazf1SeQVO2qn-LARyZWVRawjywgNisXxYQ8rugAuZwPeWrpChmq4Lf_ntnHK4RWf37cvC4BtrCMITLq2lRy6YCvfdkFQPiKw4lPv/s400/IMG_4183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>6 - 8+ miles </div>
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<b>Elevation: </b>6834 - 6590 feet</div>
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<b>Difficulty: </b>Easy</div>
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<b>Time of Year:</b> Anytime (watch for ice and snow in winter)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWs88W00eT4nwUyw7SRx3V8BgEZ-6tQFBkPOxhexgnZDXFEl-2AQk-qdtzh39b4HVR6KZAwUtA1Xt-RkNSh9x6pCSnefwNDRh8pSlwLtddrnxrVjdd1q_4l0esDcxlDiCYEYcPNUsQrmc/s1600/IMG_4187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWs88W00eT4nwUyw7SRx3V8BgEZ-6tQFBkPOxhexgnZDXFEl-2AQk-qdtzh39b4HVR6KZAwUtA1Xt-RkNSh9x6pCSnefwNDRh8pSlwLtddrnxrVjdd1q_4l0esDcxlDiCYEYcPNUsQrmc/s400/IMG_4187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Located just a stone's throw from Flagstaff, Arizona is a hidden gem to explore. While many people who travel through the area may be aware of the amazing cliff dwellings within Walnut Canyon National Monument about 5 miles east of Flagstaff, most people probably do not realize that they can hike into the spectacular canyon just a few miles upstream.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dmqTcIyQDZUndBymq6qrST_lAP-kq1AwO8xL25KmI8hUZjULl2yXzzELrIoNl1NEZmgJlIxJnWvKYjz735qydjmyp6f9sFAHWDS8rQ6qG2jfbyeyHzxEitC3VhI_AzZtxv64mJCd30Ra/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dmqTcIyQDZUndBymq6qrST_lAP-kq1AwO8xL25KmI8hUZjULl2yXzzELrIoNl1NEZmgJlIxJnWvKYjz735qydjmyp6f9sFAHWDS8rQ6qG2jfbyeyHzxEitC3VhI_AzZtxv64mJCd30Ra/s400/IMG_4171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail can be accessed by driving down Lake Mary Road abput 5 miles south of Downtown Flagstaff (near the intersection of I-40 and I-17) toward Mormon Lake. Before reaching Lake Mary, look for the Canyon View Campground on your left. Park just outside of the campground and a trail will leave toward the canyon rim. To the right, an access trail heads down to the cliffs where rock climbers hone their skill. Stay left and the trail will take you down into the upper reaches of Walnut Canyon in a side-canyon called "Sandy's Canyon"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilina pounding out the resprouting grasses after a prescribed burn</td></tr>
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Prior to the building of the dam on Lake Mary to contain the waters that make up 50% of Flagstaff's water supply, Walnut Canyon actually contained a free-flowing creek that sustained the ancient Sinagua people's of the area. As you hike into the canyon, you can see evidence of this once flowing creek in rounded river rocks that have mostly since overgrown with grasses and shrubs today.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slash piles along the first 1.4 mile stretch of the trail</td></tr>
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The first 1.4 miles takes you along a grassy meadow with encroaching pines. But, Coconino National Forest has been working vigorously in recent years to clear out the brush and do prescribed burns to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires from burning up this treasure. There will be large slash piles along the trail, as well as, freshly burned grasses in places.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GcWCK8Bc8dI-2KhmXRovNTXuJyBX3oGJ2H10N2UqcPJFGRNbEHALTONS4N-Cs0DAhyphenhyphen3C0_fE-9e6TGuaH4qWZHRxospH4N4tbmOxbKonPtW8Jym900jtDddzmUafReD2lj8icEU4Xsvw/s1600/IMG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GcWCK8Bc8dI-2KhmXRovNTXuJyBX3oGJ2H10N2UqcPJFGRNbEHALTONS4N-Cs0DAhyphenhyphen3C0_fE-9e6TGuaH4qWZHRxospH4N4tbmOxbKonPtW8Jym900jtDddzmUafReD2lj8icEU4Xsvw/s400/IMG_4194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail will merge with the Arizona Trail as it heads on its 800 mile trek from Utah to Mexico. Then it comes to an intersection. To the left, the Arizona Trail heads up slope toward Fisher Point Vista, which sits high above you. That trip is about 1.1 miles one-way. There is another route heading right that goes into the heart of Walnut Canyon. The layered rocks ahead of you are Coconino Sandstone, which represent the tilted layers of ancient sand dunes when the region was one of the world's largest deserts some 260 million years ago.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuMpmPRzM-BEV-taCoZgEOB5O0NrqiVmkJOPYZyUBA6XCFU_sm94v-r2g9ON5Yfzvb4Psq460Goz1-3ORF8-ScnderFz3dDeAD-vydiMX0bc5PKuNy-LztK5zgEvzCLmIyI3ys2NPCjH9/s1600/IMG_4202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuMpmPRzM-BEV-taCoZgEOB5O0NrqiVmkJOPYZyUBA6XCFU_sm94v-r2g9ON5Yfzvb4Psq460Goz1-3ORF8-ScnderFz3dDeAD-vydiMX0bc5PKuNy-LztK5zgEvzCLmIyI3ys2NPCjH9/s400/IMG_4202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fascinating cross-bedding of the Eolian strata of the Coconino Sandstone</td></tr>
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A sign will warn you that you are entering a special vegetative area and that the trail ends in about 1 mile. It does contain a variety of riparian trees, small stands of aspen, and large Douglas firs. But, it probably had much larger and more diverse flora when water still ran in the canyon, such as the namesake Arizona walnut trees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU1apKxz9RZecyhIIDC7jFXqifyoaFrIJ7jzK4JI74hkz-pAH2ncmxGsG0rjo7Z2Do9yvCXuff-lZN5grj4-tsz-lmfhrzJFVoo2oiNH8z8K89NpJ2-8D4OragLmI0gRy4fkX6M4FEHdn/s1600/IMG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU1apKxz9RZecyhIIDC7jFXqifyoaFrIJ7jzK4JI74hkz-pAH2ncmxGsG0rjo7Z2Do9yvCXuff-lZN5grj4-tsz-lmfhrzJFVoo2oiNH8z8K89NpJ2-8D4OragLmI0gRy4fkX6M4FEHdn/s400/IMG_4186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As for the trail, it doesn't really end. Instead, it becomes narrower, more brushy, and less maintained the further into the canyon you go.Eventually, the trail turns into nothing more than a game trail. But, the narrowing canyon walls, fascinating vegetation, and the spirits of the Sinagua people's draw you deeper down the canyon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNjVoR9piQyiZ6uQSGa50eZrsXkonN1ZKNp8FevXVyDqibXcHaojHxKIK56BvIM8pRxue0aujJ_F-dIxfeEcUVcLrn2Z2GS4NkA0oLyeMcfI53Zi6XYF35amkw1bEblDLbr4xYFXzwwpr/s1600/IMG_4197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNjVoR9piQyiZ6uQSGa50eZrsXkonN1ZKNp8FevXVyDqibXcHaojHxKIK56BvIM8pRxue0aujJ_F-dIxfeEcUVcLrn2Z2GS4NkA0oLyeMcfI53Zi6XYF35amkw1bEblDLbr4xYFXzwwpr/s400/IMG_4197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Theoretically, you could continue for another 4+ miles until reaching the boundary fence for Walnut Canyon National Monument. But, there is no further access beyond that. Even on warm fall and spring days, be prepared for very icy conditions in the narrower sections of the canyon. We went on a day when it was 60 degrees and had been for nearly 2 weeks. But, because the canyon floor never sees sunlight in fall and winter, ice continued to cover the trail, making it difficult to walk on in places.</div>
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Eventually, you just decide the point where you want to turn back and retrace your steps back to the car. But, if you wish to also see what the canyon looks like from above, you can head up on a side trip to Fisher Point to see up and down the canyon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Walnut Canyon from above</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-40228224329322785592012-12-07T19:26:00.001-08:002012-12-07T19:26:43.144-08:00Square Tower Loop, Hovenweep National Monument, UT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUDKj1ywhz68GYVJ2baPKkjV08T5JgszmG8k7SMwZ12WIqpgwMHCR9yzwbMkmPJAQIcBR2hK0BEIGSPsQRdSWyXCJI0eMtzPoI6j12WOCAQekeReEypOIO1FSTrCi2ffQ6i6HPHo8H6wL/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUDKj1ywhz68GYVJ2baPKkjV08T5JgszmG8k7SMwZ12WIqpgwMHCR9yzwbMkmPJAQIcBR2hK0BEIGSPsQRdSWyXCJI0eMtzPoI6j12WOCAQekeReEypOIO1FSTrCi2ffQ6i6HPHo8H6wL/s400/IMG_4159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: </b>2.0 miles</div>
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<b>Elevation:</b> 5220 - 5120</div>
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<b>Difficulty: </b>Easy</div>
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<b>Time of Year: </b>Anytime (avoid mid-day heat in summer)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping Ute Mountain rises above the "Twin Towers"</td></tr>
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Hovenweep National Monument is located in a remote corner of southeastern Utah, just a couple of miles from the Colorado border. It is so remote, that you have to drive 28 miles off of the main highway (US-191) between Blanding and Mexican Hat, UT on rough county roads to reach it. But, even the main highway is in pretty remote territory. But, if you are on your way to Moab from Arizona or on your way south, it is well worth the detour, as it protects the some of the greatest examples of free-standing stone masonry of the Anasazi/Puebloan cultures in the entire Desert Southwest.</div>
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From US-191, there is a sign indicating the turn onto UT-262. Then, there are a series of turns onto various county roads to reach Hovenweep. But, there are always signs to let you know where to turn. But, just in case, it might be a good idea to have your GPS ready. Hovenweep is actually a conglomeration of six individual sites along the desolate Cajon Mesa that at one time supported a population approaching 2,500 people. The largest site is the Square Tower Group. That is where the main visitor center is, as well as, this particular loop trail. One additionally nice thing about this hike is that it is dog friendly, which is rare for a national park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEtAO7gnFRgiVzkDBd11uwzkzyvUoQP6ou0TZpUhT-oLfpGa4jAT9inwbvwa_w3POJQUx4AqLvEo0YTI8vnqDVOWo75ZIMh_JZ9CMtNVXSkcgenEiIWmKUVvJD_INRLTqoxVTuqHP0vit/s1600/IMG_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEtAO7gnFRgiVzkDBd11uwzkzyvUoQP6ou0TZpUhT-oLfpGa4jAT9inwbvwa_w3POJQUx4AqLvEo0YTI8vnqDVOWo75ZIMh_JZ9CMtNVXSkcgenEiIWmKUVvJD_INRLTqoxVTuqHP0vit/s400/IMG_4161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trail starts out from the visitor center as paved until it reaches the ledge of Little Ruin Canyon and the first of many masonry structures called Stronghold House. From here, the trail makes a loop around the canyon edge to see many structures. You can choose to go either direction, but we went counterclockwise (right) to see most of the structures straight away.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of the structures are visible on both sides of the canyon in the distance</td></tr>
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The trail passes a number of structures and others are clearly visible on the otherside of the canyon. What is amazing about this site is that it supported a population estimated to be almost 1,000 people. Yet, the canyon bottom is dry and there are almost no trees on the landscape. It was inhabited between 500 and 1200 AD. But, that was a time when the region was cooler and wetter and there is a vast forest of pinyon pines and a riparian forest in the canyon floor. As the climate dried and the trees had been cleared for building materials and firewood, springs became more inconsistent and times more desperate. </div>
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The villagers build retention walls along ditches draining into the canyon to back water up and allow it to soak into the soil and rock to replenish the springs. But, the mega-droughts of the 1200-1300's that did in so many other Puebloan cultures in the region also caused the citizens of Hovenweep to abandon the area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRfqmm1TJaMxXKuU68GYZG5rGEUvZdoXHc-WXFtpS8JpJI6dOvwNUscJ7BlF8m2R2t8uADjwX7PWK5mVNQnbNu-yoU8k9o1YBLlR9b_aL_xVw8Sg5KoIKFQ-8RCzFEHCqEIBxxs4fCw2h/s1600/IMG_4157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRfqmm1TJaMxXKuU68GYZG5rGEUvZdoXHc-WXFtpS8JpJI6dOvwNUscJ7BlF8m2R2t8uADjwX7PWK5mVNQnbNu-yoU8k9o1YBLlR9b_aL_xVw8Sg5KoIKFQ-8RCzFEHCqEIBxxs4fCw2h/s400/IMG_4157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are a couple of cottonwoods and some willows in the canyon bottom today. But, for the most part, the trees are gone and the climate is very different. The trail passes some really unusual structures that are hard to determine their uses. Some sit isolated on large boulders, one sits within an eroded boulder itself, and others seem to neither fit the bill as religious structures, defensive towers, homes based on the location of their entrances or window. But, one theory is that several of them were store houses for corn and other crops.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqlYpP4GERPyb820SlUirwB-NwkEa-mrJVFjGSz3v2cHHwsPtEFtlukd8gE0lSQ6z1r0NKWXpBgqoEg-608tN9NZNOm-AVfCVycBVdGtIab4uoGX6bZjYMe-HjbIAP9408OXjCFrBJK0s/s1600/IMG_4167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqlYpP4GERPyb820SlUirwB-NwkEa-mrJVFjGSz3v2cHHwsPtEFtlukd8gE0lSQ6z1r0NKWXpBgqoEg-608tN9NZNOm-AVfCVycBVdGtIab4uoGX6bZjYMe-HjbIAP9408OXjCFrBJK0s/s400/IMG_4167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Eventually the trail descends into the canyon bottom itself, allowing you to look up at the structures from below. The trail then climbs up the steep south face of the cliff approximately 100 feet on a trail carved directly into the rock and then shortly thereafter you return to the Stronghold House. Be aware of temperatures approaching 100 degrees in mid-summer and possible icy conditions in winter. But, most of the time the sun should be out and temperatures tolerable.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-70754386324566945782012-11-26T20:27:00.000-08:002012-11-26T20:27:05.160-08:00Corona Arch Trail, Moab, UT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapNjKTy83eH2FIEYMueO3vdbh0I0FabAYCq1QUCJHX7Wvni0qjpVGumsQ67RBdxBC7E1r-T64-ER-yb_8A-AdwhjZzwW4R1mpV8vqFZERwzcOtEyYiShToV5qLdbp4LG9Uu7eukIr7-vi/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapNjKTy83eH2FIEYMueO3vdbh0I0FabAYCq1QUCJHX7Wvni0qjpVGumsQ67RBdxBC7E1r-T64-ER-yb_8A-AdwhjZzwW4R1mpV8vqFZERwzcOtEyYiShToV5qLdbp4LG9Uu7eukIr7-vi/s400/IMG_4010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 3.0 miles roundtrip (4.8 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>3995 - 4390 feet (1218 - 1338 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderately Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>Anytime<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Colorado River Gorge from the trailhead</td></tr>
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Corona Arch is an enormous arch spanning 140 feet across and 105 feet tall. It is located on beautiful slick rock high above Bootlegger Canyon. It can be accessed by a relatively short trail and best of all, being on BLM land, it is open for dogs, unlike Arches National Park. It can be accessed by taking U.S. Highway 191 north from Moab until you cross the Colorado River and shortly thereafter turn left onto UT-279, also known as the Potash Ash. Follow this road 10.1 miles through the Colorado River Gorge until you reach the trailhead parking lot on the right. Watch out for rock climbers and people standing on the road looking at the hundreds of petroglyphs on the rock faces along this route.</div>
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The trail starts out by climbing up the slope and shortly thereafter crosses the railroad tracks that takes potash from the evaporation ponds at the end of the road to processing plants where it is turned into fertilizer. The trail then skirts the edge of the cliffs and emerges onto an open rocky flat with cliffs all around.</div>
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As you go around a bend, suddenly the Corona Arch comes into view in the distance. Even from far away, its size is incredibly impressive. The route then skirts the edge of the steep slopes and you will come across the trickiest portion of this hike. There is a rope and some steps carved into a steep 20 feet ascent. Some older dogs may struggle to get up this section. Soon after there is a ladder to climb up a 10 feet ledge. But, dogs and people can by-pass the ladder by following the smooth slickrock slope up and around the ledge.</div>
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After that, you just follow the contours of the slope along the cliff walls and you will suddenly see a large hole in the rocks above. This is Bowtie Arch, which is actually the remains of a former sinkhole that collapsed into a cavern. Today, it sits high above a large seep where a young cottonwood has taken root.</div>
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Then you arrive at Corona Arch itself. Just sitting under this enormous arch is an amazing site. The shade it provides is nice as well on a hot day. You can head a hundred meters or so further on the otherside to admire the view out across the landscape. Once you are done enjoying this spectacular site, just head back the way you came.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-36915788244451902152012-11-11T16:46:00.003-08:002012-11-11T16:49:10.792-08:00Long Canyon, Secret Mountain Wilderness, AZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhiHc0DSRIx-pqVfljCVWq72MNWq65Xd9RRgKNEtW2AYBROCpk0JO-sbFMo7BZA26w3aGEZkD8qp9PbcANJfgOF-wTeCDqd6Kw4cyFRkYfK_UhLGQrZvJ-s-EoBlIwGqfBtxDFj1vRXYq/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhiHc0DSRIx-pqVfljCVWq72MNWq65Xd9RRgKNEtW2AYBROCpk0JO-sbFMo7BZA26w3aGEZkD8qp9PbcANJfgOF-wTeCDqd6Kw4cyFRkYfK_UhLGQrZvJ-s-EoBlIwGqfBtxDFj1vRXYq/s400/IMG_3911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance:</b> 7.4 miles roundtrip (11.8 km)<br />
<b>Elevation:</b> 4,523 - 5,395 feet (1380 - 1645 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Moderately Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>Year Round (avoid heat of midday in summer and watch for ice in winter)<br />
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In the month of October, thousands of tourists flock to West Fork Oak Creek Canyon to admire the spectacular beauty of the best fall colors in Arizona tucked amongst towering orange and yellow cliffs. I have written about it grandeur <a href="http://www.hikemasters.com/2011/11/west-fork-oak-creek-canyon-coconino-nf.html"><b>here</b></a>. But, honestly, we just can not take the crowds anymore. The parking lot is full by 10am, it costs $9 to park, and if you can't get it the cars line the highway for a half-mile. But, there is an alternative location that not only offers spectacular fall colors, but more ecological variety, and far fewer crowds. It is Long Canyon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWxJoO8mRPJ9Qj7VEfE0uCP9Zm26YSjeKXsXA4JMyx-dx-21-LpBf648gbcKbAHpESNXygknmDWWuuL_ioRiqH3vTWIJ_ToKvW01mJmimsE16F2pMMnKzZFdKvVJAf8xVdlQHppqhnJ0c/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWxJoO8mRPJ9Qj7VEfE0uCP9Zm26YSjeKXsXA4JMyx-dx-21-LpBf648gbcKbAHpESNXygknmDWWuuL_ioRiqH3vTWIJ_ToKvW01mJmimsE16F2pMMnKzZFdKvVJAf8xVdlQHppqhnJ0c/s400/IMG_3905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early on the trail is through typical pinyon-juniper</td></tr>
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You can reach Long Canyon by driving on Hwy 89A through West Sedona and then turning north onto Dry Creek Blvd. Continue on this paved road until it ends near Boynton Canyon Road. At the T-junction, turn right and follow the road for about 1 mile. The junction is signed for Long Canyon, but not the trailhead. Be looking for a dirt parking area on the left. There is a sign at the trailhead indicating it is the correct trail.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the trail enters a canopy of live oaks and occasional Ponderosa pines</td></tr>
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The trail begins by following an old dirt road parallel to the paved road. At 0.9 miles you come to a trail junction with Deadman's Pass Trail. Stay right. The trail will skirt the edge of a golf course as it enters the Secret Mountain Wilderness. The first 1.5 miles of the trail is through open pinyon-juniper habitat with abundant manzanita and Arizona cypress. There is not much evidence of a canyon. But, as you continue further, the red rock cliffs begin to close in and the forest canopy thickens.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually you enter a forest of Gambel oaks and Douglas firs</td></tr>
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Eventually the forest composition begins to change. First you will notice a few small ash and live oaks. Then you will start to notice some Ponderosa pines along the dry creek bed. Before you know it, you will enter stands of majestic Gambel oaks and Douglas firs inexplicably make their appearance. If you are there in October, what was somewhat monotonous blue-green hues will start to become dominated by yellows and orange-browns.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some interesting creatures to see along the trail</td></tr>
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Eventually the trail will reach a junction of two drainages that feed the main creek bed. The trail follows the drainage to the left, which is where the really spectacular beauty comes in. Canyon maples become common in this steep narrow canyon and in October that means spectacular red and orange hues highlight against the dark green Douglas fir needles and reddish bark of old Ponderosa pines.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon maple (also known as Big-toothed maple) in full fall foliage</td></tr>
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The trail will continue following the creek bed, with views up through the canopy to the cliff walls above. The trail will steepen, but the grade is not too bad. I'd only be concerned if the creek were flowing, which seems unlikely outside of monsoon season or during a snow melt off. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful fall colors in Long Canyon</td></tr>
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Once you reach the end of the trail near the back of the canyon, you will return the way you came back to the parking area. A great hike offering a variety of views and ecosystems without the massive crowds that can inundate many of the other Sedona area trails.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-65152641663076159552012-10-27T23:40:00.001-07:002012-10-27T23:40:04.273-07:00Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, Kaibab NF, AZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Distance: 9.2 miles roundtrip (14.8 km)<br />
Difficulty: Strenuous<br />
Elevation: 7,700 - 10,418 feet (2,350 - 3,175 m)<br />
Time of Year: Late April to Early November (start early during monsoon season)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire lookout at the summit</td></tr>
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At 10,418 feet in elevation, Kendrick Mountain stands as the 8th highest mountain in Arizona behind the San Francisco Peaks, several peaks in the White Mountains, and Mount Graham in southern Arizona. But, what makes Kendrick Mountain really stand out is its geographic prominence. As an extinct volcanic dome, it stands all alone on the Coconino Plateau with a view that spans the entirety of Northern Arizona. In fact, from it's summit you can see all the way north into Utah, west to the edge of California, south to Phoenix, and east nearly to New Mexico. While it is a haul to get up there, requiring a 2,500 foot climb, it is well worth the effort to sit at the edge of the sky and view out across such an expansive landscape.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the summit from near the trailhead</td></tr>
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To get to Kendrick Peak from Downtown Flagstaff, drive north on Hwy 180 (the route to the Grand Canyon) for 14 miles until you reach FR 245 (well signed). Turn left and drive on this well-maintained dirt road for 3 miles until intersecting with FR 171 (also well signed). Turn right and follow it until reaching the sign for the trailhead, where you swing right and then there is a large parking area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way up</td></tr>
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The trail immediately starts climbing, gradually at first, but it gets steeper and steeper as you go. Initially you are in a dense Ponderosa pine forest, but the Pumpkin Fire of 2000 cleared out a number of areas that give you good views throughout the hike. The trail starts by going around the edge of a small hill following an old road grade. This old road covers the first 1/3 of the hike until reaching a saddle between a smaller sub-peak and the main peak still rising 2000 feet above you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever expanding views as you climb higher</td></tr>
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The trail begins to steepen and switchback up the side of the mountain as a it heads tangentially along a steep drainage and toward a higher saddle between the main summit peak and a ridge extending east. The trail will slowly transition from Ponderosa pines to Douglas firs, occasional aspen, and eventually will be joined by white pines and subalpine firs further up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meadow and cabin on the summit flats</td></tr>
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Eventually you will reach the saddle at 4.1 miles from the trailhead where things flatten out, Englemann spruce become evident and a nice grassy meadow of bunchgrasses predominate. There you will find a cabin built in 1912 to house the fire lookout workers. Catch a breathe, because you still have 1/2 mile left of trail and some 300 feet of climbing to get to the fire lookout. Due to the thick spruces on the north-facing slopes, you still can not look off to the north yet, only the same southerly direction you saw coming up. To see the Grand Canyon and beyond, keep climbing. While I have never really noticed the effects of elevation while hiking before, I do believe I felt it on this final stretch. That, or I am just getting out of shape. But, I was exhausted upon reaching the summit.</div>
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At the fire lookout, there is a helicopter pad that makes an excellent resting and eating place to admire a 180 degree view. Looking north-northeast you can see 10,000 foot Navajo Mountain in southern Utah rising beyond the Painted Desert of the Navajo Reservation.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">A view across the Painted Desert with Navajo Mountain in Utah visible in the far distance</td></tr>
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Due north the Grand Canyon clearly visible. The North Rim rises 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. You can see the gentle curving dome shape of the Kaibab Plateau and imagine how it formed a smooth surface to the South Rim before the Colorado River ate into it some 5,000 feet down. In addition, with binoculars, which I had, you could easily see several of the major geologic layers on the North Rim.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Rim rises 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim of the Grand Canyon<br />A prescribed burn is visible on the North Rim</td></tr>
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Looking east, you can see the Hualapai Mountains near Kingman in the far distance. That is almost to California and southern Nevada. With a keen eye and clear skies, you can also make out the forest slopes of Mount Trumbell and Mount Logan on the Arizona Strip of far northwestern Arizona.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Sitgreaves Mountain to the right and Bill Williams Mountain in the distance</td></tr>
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As you scan toward the southwest, you will see the two prominent ancient volcanoes of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. The one in the back is 9,300 foot Bill Williams Mountain rising up near Williams, while the closer one is 9,400 foot Sitgreaves Mountain. Further south, you will see the edge of the Mogollon Rim near Sedona, Mingus Mountain rising above the Verde Valley, the tan-colored Prescott Valley, and the Bradshaw Mountains rising high above it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south toward Prescott Valley<br />Mingus Mountain is on the left the Bradshaw Mountains in the middle, and Granite Peak on far right</td></tr>
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Continuing around to the south-southeast, you can even see the pollution of Phoenix rising up to the edge of the Superstition Mountains in the far distance. Further east the Sierra Ancha rise up. Finally, due east are the highest mountains in the state of Arizona, which are the San Francisco Peaks. I did this hike on the last weekend of October. It was not chilly at the top, but it could have been. Snow from a storm that hit mid-month still lingered on the north-facing slopes above 11,000 feet.</div>
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All in all, to give you a scale of the views from Kendrick Mountain, think of it this way. East-to-west, Arizona is about as wide as Washington state is from the Puget Sound to Idaho. But, it is nearly twice as tall north-to-south. Thus, it is the nearly the equivalent of two Washington states stacked on each other. So, to be able to see from nearly California to Utah to nearly New Mexico to down to Phoenix would be like standing on Mount Rainier and seeing the entire state of Washington. Pretty amazing indeed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjjK7u-yBOwks5Y_oajwqVLTKZsO9MIweF6U8RmhakDTXt7YvxpJWf4_GLgPFIX5PPoxyECWN_GWzrN3J7zeecguoXA5b0pMHcQmZa86yQnbVFXyWOVXXXYND-STWWltNyDVCpb1W0M7W/s1600/IMG_3899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjjK7u-yBOwks5Y_oajwqVLTKZsO9MIweF6U8RmhakDTXt7YvxpJWf4_GLgPFIX5PPoxyECWN_GWzrN3J7zeecguoXA5b0pMHcQmZa86yQnbVFXyWOVXXXYND-STWWltNyDVCpb1W0M7W/s400/IMG_3899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After admiring the views and resting your wobbly legs, you will simply return the way you came.</div>
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One last note, to get these amazing views, you should come in the fall after the monsoon rains end. Otherwise you risk being in a major lightning storm, getting wet, warmer temperatures, and higher humidity. Plus, higher humidity and cloud cover impair the scale of the views.</div>
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The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-50142576576043551722012-10-07T15:46:00.001-07:002012-10-07T15:46:31.498-07:00Kachina Trail, San Francisco Peaks, AZ<br />
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<b>Distance: </b>4.9 miles one way<br />
<b>Elevation:</b> 9340 - 8630 feet<br />
<b>Difficulty:</b> Moderately Easy<br />
<b>Time of Year: </b>May to November (best in early October)<br />
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The Kachina Trail is one of the most famous hikes on the San Francisco Peaks just north of Flagstaff. From Downtown Flagstaff, a series of open meadows and lime green aspen stands are clearly visible in a band about halfway up the slopes of the extinct volcano. In October, that band turns a brilliant yellow to golden orange and those open meadows beckon visitors and residents alike as the aspens turn color. From the slopes, you can look out all across Central Arizona from Flagstaff below to the edge of the Mogollon Rim to mountain ranges that spread off into the distance beyond.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Kachina Peaks Wilderness near the eastern trailhead</td></tr>
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The Kachina Trail is a one-way trail with trailheads on either side. The main access is from the Snow Bowl ski area at the 9,400 foot level on the western slopes of the San Francisco peaks. Since it is a paved road all the way up to the trailhead, it is the more popular route. If you park at that trailhead, you will encounter significant crowds during the first 1-2 miles of the trail. The other trailhead can be accessed from Forest Road 522, also called Friedlein Prairie Road, that branches off the Snow Bowl Road to the right about 2 miles from the intersection with Hwy 180. Just follow FR 522 for about 5 miles until it ends at the parking area of the trailhead. This dirt road is rocky, and having a moderately sized SUV or passenger vehicle with all-wheel drive would be nice, but any car can make it if they take their time. I will describe this hike from the eastern trailhead because the crowds are fewer and the view more expansive from the beginning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views down onto the Mogollon Rim</td></tr>
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The trail begins following an old road up the slope through a mixed conifer forest of Ponderosa and white pines and Douglas firs for 0.4 miles until reaching the trail intersection with the Weatherford Trail. Turn left, it is signed, and enter the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. The trail will leisurely climb up through aspen stands, Ponderosa and mixed conifer, and open meadows offering spectacular views of Fremont, Doyle, and Agassiz Peaks above and increasingly panoramic views down the slopes to the south and west. Agassiz the highest of these and is obvious as it is the furthest to the west and has a large alpine area above the treeline.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agassiz Peak to the left, Fremont Peak to the right</td></tr>
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About halfway between the trailheads, the most expansive views open up across the landscape. You can see Oak Creek Canyon cutting deep into the Mogollon Rim with Mingus Mountain and the Verde Rim visible beyond. To the west of that is Granite Mountain near Prescott visible on the horizon. Further west is Bill Williams Mountain rising up 2000 feet above the surrounding landscape. The Sky Dome on the campus of Northern Arizona University is clearly visible, as are the white domed telescopes of Lowell Observatory. To the southeast, the yellow tinges of young aspens are clear visible on Mount Elden.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Creek Canyon is visible to the right, Sky Dome to the left</td></tr>
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Approximately 3/4ths of the way from the eastern trailhead to Snow Bowl, you will enter a deeply incised canyon coming down from the slopes of Mount Agassiz. The terrain becomes more rocky, with large boulders and small rocky cliffs. A variety of conifers dominate within these shady drainages. This is probably the most difficult portion of the hike, but nothing too challenging.</div>
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Once you arrive at the Snow Bowl parking lot, you will either need to head back the way you came for a 9.8 mile roundtrip, or would have made arrangements for a car shuttle and/or key exchange to make it a one way trip. If you are going to go back the way you came, my recommendation is to start at the eastern trailhead and turn back once you arrive at the large canyon. The last mile or so to Snow Bowl is not any better than the spectacular views you have already seen. If you do it this way, it'll end up being about a 7.5 mile round trip.</div>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-69786852656483246262012-09-30T20:32:00.003-07:002012-09-30T20:32:47.266-07:00Liberty Pass, Ruby Mountains, Humboldt NF, Nevada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE_DXdMMNaJ1uW2p4RHsGKXLxSE8YAUsTeaNSWe25z_4dBGw9n3u5jmGrdo_q8I6g4FmfZA4tiO8yxF0IQF-cgfwlpIuuSCQ9F-QpkfjOoUeAmcx9ohSYfocc3gY805iFYQtOPPCcuKCe/s1600/DSCN1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE_DXdMMNaJ1uW2p4RHsGKXLxSE8YAUsTeaNSWe25z_4dBGw9n3u5jmGrdo_q8I6g4FmfZA4tiO8yxF0IQF-cgfwlpIuuSCQ9F-QpkfjOoUeAmcx9ohSYfocc3gY805iFYQtOPPCcuKCe/s400/DSCN1750.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Distance: 6.0 miles (10 km)</b><br />
<b>Elevation: 8,800 - 10,450 feet (2685 - 3186 m)</b><br />
<b>Difficulty: Strenuous</b><br />
<b>Time of Year: June to October</b><br />
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The Ruby Mountains rise like a sentinel high above the desert valleys of the Great Basin. Located in a remote region of Northern Nevada, just south of Elko, most people have probably never heard of them. But, if you have driven I-80 between Salt Lake City and Reno, you probably did see them just off to the south. The Ruby Mountains rise to over 11,000 feet. Thus, even in this extremely arid region of the country, they are an oasis of alpine meadows, rushing streams, and spectacular glacially carved canyons.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the trailhead</td></tr>
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The hike to Liberty Pass is one of the true highlights of the Ruby Mountains. Located at the end of the famous Lamoille Canyon area, Liberty Pass offers spectacular vistas above the U-shaped valley that was carved by ice age glaciers. To access the trailhead, drive up the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive about 15 miles south of downtown Elko to the very end of the spectacular valley with its soaring cliff faces.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking amongst the limber pines</td></tr>
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The trail begins by crossing some alpine meadows full of wildflowers in summer. The trail crosses a brook a few times over wooden log bridges. The first 1.5 miles climbs steadily up through scattered stands of ancient limber pines. After about 30 minutes or so you will arrive at the first in the series of lake you will see on this trip. These three small, nearly interconnected ponds, are collectively called Dollar Lakes. The first two are quite marshy and shallow, while the third is the largest and most open.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar Lake</td></tr>
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At this point the trail begins to zigzag up a steeper slope as it heads for the next 1/2 mile to Lamoille Lake located at 9700 feet in elevation. It's crystal clear waters allow you to see the rock formations at the bottom of the lake. This is especially true as you climb vertically above the lake. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Lamoille Lake</td></tr>
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At this point the trail begins its most strenuous portion as it climbs up a near vertical slope above the lake. The trail is narrow and switches back-and-forth relentlessly for the next 500 vertical feet in elevation. The views become ever more expansive, especially as you begin to peer over the edge of the canyon walls to the outside of the Ruby Mountains. The Elko Valley begins to make an appearance.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Liberty Pass</td></tr>
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As you continue to climb, you will see a narrow rocky saddle well above you. That is Liberty Pass. It may appear as though you will never be able to make it up there across that rugged terrain. But, the trail is nicely graded such that it is surprisingly not so difficult as it appears.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Liberty Pass</td></tr>
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Upon reaching Liberty Pass, you have incredible views out across the Ruby Mountains. Behind you, you can see the definite U-shape appearance of Lamoille Canyon. To the north, you can see out across Elko Valley. From the pass, the trail almost immediately descends down to Liberty Lake a couple hundred feet below. But, if stray off trail straight ahead you will arrive at a flat rocky outcropping with a spectacular view of the whole lake below you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View of Liberty Lake From Liberty Pass</td></tr>
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After enjoying lunch at the pass, you just return the way you came. To me, going up is always easier than going down. The section from the pass back to Lamoille Lake is the hardest, as the loose rock and steep gradient does give your knees a pounding. But, after the lake, the rest of the trip down is pretty relaxing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on Lamoille Canyon from Liberty Pass</td></tr>
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The Ruby Mountains are truly an unexpected surprise in the middle of the boring Great Basin Desert. This oasis of streams, rugged mountains, and panoramic splendor is just what the body and mind need on a long trip across Nevada, whether going from Salt Lake to Reno on I-80, or as we did it, heading south on U.S. 95 back to Arizona. Oh, and if you are looking for a place to stay and want to avoid yet another Motel-6 or a casino, the Thomas Canyon Campground, halfway up Lamoille Canyon, is one of the most spectacular settings I have ever seen for setting up a tent.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a long hike, we enjoyed the sunset at Thomas Canyon Campground</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-38720454305250661382012-09-30T07:25:00.002-07:002012-09-30T07:25:22.414-07:00North Wilson Mountain, Sedona Area, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Distance: </b>10.0 miles round trip (16.1 km)<br />
<b>Elevation: </b>4,750-6,840 feet (1448 - 2085 m)<br />
<b>Difficulty: </b>Strenuous<br />
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<b>Time of Year: </b>March - November</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the summit of Wilson Mountain with Bill Williams Mountain visible in the distance</td></tr>
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The North Wilson Mountain trail is one of the most diverse trails with some of the grandest views in Northern Arizona. You climb out of the famous Oak Creek Canyon, climb through areas of burned areas full of dense chaparral shrubs and expansive fields of wildflowers, shadowy forested canyons with maples and firs, open Ponderosa pine forests, pinyon-juniper savannas, and then a views back down 2,000 feet across all of these ecosystems.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire did not burn the cooler shady canyons where pines and firs remain alive</td></tr>
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The trail begins at the Encinoso Picnic Area located off Highway 89A. Make sure you have a Federal Interagency Pass or Red Rock Pass when parking there. Trail begins climbing almost immediately. It heads up a draw that was burned about 6 years ago. There are a number of fallen logs and some brush that has grown over the trail. It doesn't look like the trail has been maintained in a few year. But, as you head further up the draw, you will come across some patches of live forest where the trees survived in the cooler north-facing slopes with fire scares on their trunks.</div>
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The trail then begins climbing steeply up the cliff. As you reach the summit of the first ridge, you will get your first spectacular views back down the length of Oak Creek Canyon. The trail then follows the ridgeline gradually climbing until reaching a flat mesa top.</div>
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On top of this first flat-topped mesa, you have passed phase one of this diverse trail. Phase two is an open mesa filled with thousands of wildflowers following the summer monsoon season. To the east, you will see Oak Creek Canyon below and the other rim across the canyon bright yellow in flowers. To the west, there is the other mesa located a few hundred feet higher up. The southern portion of this mesa is called South Wilson Mountain. This is the mountain visible from Downtown Sedona and at that summit there is a viewpoint back down onto Sedona. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5U3m3oERA4F2d-B8n4mRdy2NeC1fdfia-ysTewfYmFtGOJB146D2TrGOtqV5XtCn5hGk3RLgwLMMtw_mFs6NTzJrmn__cLSurJeGW6id-Skdr8te61HfbX4SAgB86UMu1XaOvyjeuZGD/s1600/DSCF0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5U3m3oERA4F2d-B8n4mRdy2NeC1fdfia-ysTewfYmFtGOJB146D2TrGOtqV5XtCn5hGk3RLgwLMMtw_mFs6NTzJrmn__cLSurJeGW6id-Skdr8te61HfbX4SAgB86UMu1XaOvyjeuZGD/s400/DSCF0587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After crossing the first mesa, you will meet a trail intersection. If you head left, you will come to a viewpoint looking over east Sedona and up toward Schnebly Hill. If you head right (the sign directs you), you begin climbing the slope of the next mesa. As you rise above the first mesa, you can see expansive views across the Mogollon Rim and Mormon Mountain becomes obvious in the distance.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow blooms of wildflowers tint the surface of the Mogollon Rim</td></tr>
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Upon reaching the summit of the second mesa, you will head in and out of forests. If it is late summer, wildflowers will be plentiful. But, there will be more of them in the open areas that were burned in the 2006 Brins Mesa Fire. After heading up a slope you will encounter another trail intersection, which may be obscured by a large fallen tree, that will direct you to the "Sedona Overlook" located to the left. I recommend you take this 0.4 mile spur to get an incredible view from the summit of South Wilson Mountain across all of the Sedona Red Rock area and even out across the Verde Valley to Mingus Mountain. On a clear day, you can even see Granite Mountain and the Bradshaw Mountains near Prescott.</div>
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Once you return to the intersection, continue right for 1.4 miles across open burned forest areas toward North Wilson Mountain. It will pass through an couple of closed forest sections, but most of it is open, offering glimpses of the landscape surrounding the mountain. Once you you reach the end of the trail, you will arrive at a cliff that drops nearly 2,000 feet straight down.</div>
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The trail will branch off to the left and right very close to the cliff edge. To the right, the view is one down the length of Oak Creek Canyon, with the San Francisco Peaks and Mount Elden visible in the distance.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Creek Canyon with the San Francisco Peaks to the left and Mount Elden to the right</td></tr>
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To the left, you will be able to see across almost all of the Secret Mountain Wilderness and backcountry areas of the Red Rocks region. Directly below you can see Vultee Arch (another must-do hike to be described later). Sit back, eat lunch, and enjoy the incredible splendor in the shade of large Ponderosa pines and Douglas fir on the rock edge. Then return the way you came.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vultee Arch located almost 2,000 feet below North Wilson Mountain</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8175187650429886480.post-26908273635008224712012-07-01T14:32:00.003-07:002012-07-01T14:32:43.861-07:00Murdock Peak, High Uinta Mountains, Ashley NF, Utah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Distance:</strong> 3.6 miles roundtrip</div>
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<strong>Elevation:</strong> 10,700 - 11,250 feet</div>
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<strong>Difficulty:</strong> Moderately Strenuous</div>
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<strong>Time of Year:</strong> late-June to October</div>
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The High Uinta Mountains of Northeast Utah represent the largest and highest east-west trending mountain range in the Lower 48. These high ridges are not the most rugged of topography, but they do rise up to more than 13,000 feet at several places, including Utah's highest point, Kings Peak. This is a mountain range that is famous for summer thunderstorms, hundreds of glacially-carved alpine lakes, and swarms of mosquitoes.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop by Provo River Falls on the way up</td></tr>
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While there are many long trails, including the 36-mile route to King's Peak, Murdock Peak is a short trek up to a high summit offering panoramic views across the landscape...and all without the pesky mosquitoes. Access to this mountain is very easy, since it is located right at the Bald Mountain Pass, which is the high point on the Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) that leads from Kamas, UT north across the western side of the range to Evanston, WY.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Bald Mountain Pass</td></tr>
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If coming up from Heber City or Salt Lake City, after passing Provo River Falls, several lakes, and driving up some switchbacks, look for the sign for Bald Mountain Pass at 10,700 feet and park in the gravel parking area just past the sign on the right. From here, you can see the flat-topped Murdock Peak to the right (south) and the taller Bald Mountain to the left (north). Most people will hike up Bald Mountain on the established trail (about 2.3 miles up and over 1,200 vertical feet gain). But, if you want to avoid the crowds and be by yourself, while hiking up a shorter vertical, but more rugged terrain, then Murdock Peak is the one for you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemones flowering in a wet meadow near the parking area</td></tr>
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There is no trail to the top of Murdock Peak. But, the route is obvious. Just hike up through the trees and across some boggy meadows flowering with anemones and other water-loving wet meadow plants. After a few hundred feet you will reach the edge of the talus slope. The talus stones are quite large and in many places loose. So, be prepared with adequate footwear and hiking sticks could be useful so you do not slip into any cravasses between the rocks or twist your ankle.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upslope toward the summit</td></tr>
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Get an early start to the day to avoid the inevitable afternoon thunderstorms. You do not want to be a lightning rod on a treeless mountain standing over 11,000 feet above sea level. Once you are above the trees, the view of the surrounding landscape grows more expansive as you head up. There is no particular route up, since the summit is obvious. But, there are places where the talus is less exposed and soil fills in the gaps that makes walking a bit easier. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wasatch Front can be seen as the snow-capped mountains in the distance</td></tr>
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Because of the broad summit nature of the mountain, the top can be misleading. You think you are nearing the summit and then realize it continues up gradually for several hundred more meters. The higher you go, the more you can look out across the montane forest of Engelmann Spruce and subalpine fir. There is a great deal of dieback in the spruces due to explosion of bark beetles and spruce moths. The area looks like a catastrophic fire waiting to happen. Perhaps surprisingly, most of the subalpine firs seem to be fairing fine.</div>
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As you rise higher and higher, you can see many of the lakes that makes the High Uinta's famous, as well as, the snow-capped Wasatch Front near Salt Lake City in the distance beyond to the west. Once you get onto the summit's table top you can look north out into the desert flats of Wyoming and east along the backbone of the Uinta's summit crest, and south to the Fish Lake Mountains. When I was up here, it was mid-June, which is well before the summer monsoon season begins. Yet, already the clouds were darkening as the afternoon approached and passing showers could be seen on the nearby mountains. </div>
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At the official summit, some 11,250 feet above sea level, stands a large pile of rocks about 4-feet tall with a tall tree branch sticking out of it. But, the view isn't necessarily the best from this spot since the summit is so flat. To get an even more impressive view, walk further east a couple hundred yards to the edge of the slope which drops rapidly into the valley in that direction. Near the edge of this steep slope, the views are even more impressive. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east along the length of the range <br />
(King's Peak is visible in the middle)</td></tr>
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Once you have had a chance to appreciate the impressive views, you simply backtrack toward the highway below. Going down the talus slope is much more tricky than going up. This is especially true since the talus rocks are often loose and you can easily lose your balance and tumble down. So, go slowly and watch each step. It is very easy to not pay attention to your footing with such spectacular views ahead of you in the distance. I know I had trouble since I kept looking up and out across the landscape.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Bald Mountain (left) from Murdock Peak</td></tr>
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<br />The Hikemastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00247921774221355204noreply@blogger.com29