tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24438481461085354852024-03-13T11:05:49.241-07:00Our Hiking MysteryKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-49494494779423907072015-03-17T07:40:00.002-07:002015-03-17T08:02:58.917-07:00Ringtail Trail Loop<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
May
flowers always line your path, <o:p></o:p></div>
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And
sunshine light your day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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May
songbirds serenade you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every
step along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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~Irish
Blessing<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m chasing Mexican Gold Poppies
a titch later than usual this year so I’m out of the valley floor and into the
hills of the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. These trails along Picture Rocks Road are at
their poppy peak right now, along with lupines, mallows, penstemons, and LOTS
of brittlebush. A good place to start is the Ringtail Trailhead. When heading
west along Picture Rocks Road, the Ringtail Trailhead is not well-marked, but
there is a parking area on the righthand side of the street, just past the
hairpin turns, with a large rock outcropping right above it.</div>
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Across the street
from this parking area is the trailhead. You can do several loop hikes along
here. The most popular is the 3.6 mile loop that starts with the Ringtail Trail
and in a clockwise direction, circles right on Picture Rocks Wash, then right
on the Ironwood Forest Trail, then finishing up right on the Mule Deer Trail.
You can do a smaller loop, about 1 mile, clockwise from Ringtail, to Mule Deer,
then back on Ironwood Forest. There are
large expanses of poppies on the west side of the Ringtail Trail, with many
splinter trails heading out into the poppy fields; however, these are not the
main trails so beware of fallen cholla on the ground. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Length: 3.6 or 1 mile loops<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elevation gain: 200 feet for
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Time it took us: 2 hours with
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Dogs: No<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fees: It’s a national park, but the
pay station is in the other section of the park along Kinney Road. There was no
signage to pay, the ranger was there and not collecting fees, and the other
cars did not have parking permits so I’m going to say, it appears “no.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Directions: From metro Phoenix,
take I-10 east towards Tucson. Exit before Tucson at Ina Road and turn right
onto Ina. Follow Ina to the end, and turn left on Wade Road. Wade Road will
turn into Picture Rocks Road. The Ringtail Trailhead is the first parking
pullout on the right, just over the hill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-36554943924473201562014-10-29T13:30:00.000-07:002014-11-01T13:37:10.608-07:00See Spring TrailA lot of people tell me that they would hike more, but that they just don't know where to go. This is no exception for me, either, and although many of my hikes look straightforward, there is often a lot of trial and error involved in getting them right. This is what I ran into this year in trying to select a Mogollon Rim fall color hike. I have posted before about Arizona fall color spots, but I had somehow neglected the fall color Rim hikes. Some of the Rim hikes are exceedingly long and steep, and some require 4WD to get to the trailhead. Also, the color can be a little more fickle than up in the Flagstaff and Sedona areas so you have to know where to look. The first few photos here are from the Horton Creek Trailhead picnic area. The creeping color up the Ponderosa Pines was stunning...<br />
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However, the actual Horton Creek Trail (which is lovely) didn't seem to have the fiery orange and red maples that I really wanted to see. Tonto Creek passes through here, though, and we saw some large Arizona Sycamores and some beautiful gold colors...</div>
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So we left this area and went a little further east along highway 260 to the Christopher Creek area. Turning left on the Christopher Creek loop, we followed this road until we came to the Tall Pines Market, and directly across from here on the north side of the street is the dirt Forest Road #284. You only have to go about a mile or so down this road before you will start to see the reds hit you dead on along the road...</div>
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We wasted a lot of time here, but there is more! Keep going! At the end of the road is the See Canyon Trailhead which is a circular turnaround where you can park. My initial reservation about coming to this trail at all was that the See Canyon Trail (#184) was listed as a "most difficult" hike with something like a 1,500 foot elevation gain. However, there is a nice little trail called the See Spring Trail (#185) which follows the creek and up a hill and is less than 3 miles. The fall color is everywhere around here right now (end of October) so act fast, and you don't have to go very far because the color starts right at the beginning of the trail. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Length: 2.6 miles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elevation gain: 500 feet</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time it took us: 2 hours with many photo stops</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions: From metro Phoenix, take Highway 87 (the Beeline Highway) north up to the town of Payson, then turn right (east) on Highway 260 for about 20 miles until the Christopher Creek Loop which is just before mile marker 274. Follow this road left to the Tall Pines Market, and FR 284 will be on the left side of the road opposite of the market (very easy to miss it.) Take FR 284 to the end to the See Canyon Trailhead. It's a dirt road, but it is passable without high-clearance.</span></span></div>
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-52288702762462876952014-08-16T12:00:00.000-07:002014-08-23T08:28:24.660-07:00Yosemite's Tenaya Lake LoopYosemite National park is a really nice place except there are too many people there. Period. I've tried going in winter, I've tried going in fall, I've tried going midweek, and still there are a lot of people there. As a kid, our family hosted exchange students from Japan, Poland, and Germany, and each one of them wanted to go to Yosemite; its notoriety is far and wide.<br />
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However, Yosemite is strikingly beautiful so a way has to be found to cope with the masses. Sooo... if you find yourself going through Yosemite on a Saturday in the high-season of August, the week before school goes back, I would recommend a hike around Tenaya Lake. It has crystal-blue waters, granite peaks, a thick forested southern edge, and parking spaces if you get there before 10:00AM. The only Yosemite feature that you're really missing is the waterfall, and you can simulate that with a swim after your hike.<br />
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We did this hike by starting at the west parking lot, hiking clockwise around the lake so you hit the part where you walk along Hwy 120 before the sun gets too high and reflective on the granite walls, then past the swampier eastern edge before hiking along the forested southern edge during the mid-day sun to get some shade. There are a few ups and downs and loose rock on this side, but it has solitude as we only passed a few other hikers in this section, and the views of the rock climbers across the lake are spectacular along here. Unfortunately, we read later that a climber fell from a rock and died just a few miles up the road between here and Tuolomne Meadows on the same day we were here. As you get closer to where you started, you'll pass some gorgeous meadows, and the intersection with the Sunrise Trail with its backpackers exiting Tuolomne Shuttle Stop #10 and heading out to the back country. Don't forget a picnic to enjoy along the granite outcrops of the western edge of the lake!<br />
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Length: 2.5 mile loop</div>
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Elevation gain: 100 feet</div>
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Time it took us: 2 hours</div>
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Dogs allowed: No</div>
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Fees: $20 per car to enter the park</div>
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Directions: Tenaya Lake is along the Tioga Pass (Hwy 120) that runs through Yosemite National Park during the summer months (at 8,150 feet elevation, it closes for the winter.) The lake is 31 miles east of Crane Flat or 16 miles west of Yosemite's East entrance. </div>
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-91171477986071188752014-08-16T08:00:00.000-07:002014-08-22T20:20:18.978-07:00South Tufa Trail at Mono LakeI am writing this blogpost in the midst of a social media "Ice Bucket Challenge" to draw awareness to the neurodegenerative disease ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.) The nurse in me is celebrating; the water conservationist in me is dying over here. I just spent the week in Northern California filling water buckets while taking a shower -- every DROP is precious. I think it's a tribute to how messed up our world is that I'm living in the Sonoran desert, and there is less pressure on me to conserve water than those folks that are living in the shadow of 14,000 foot alpine Sierra Nevada peaks or among the temperate rain forests of coastal California.<br />
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So on the topic of water conservation, I thought I'd share a short hike (really a walk) that I did along the southern portion of Mono Lake. I have been to Mono Lake several times over my lifetime, and whenever I mention it to friends (even those that live in California), I am presented with a blank stare. Lake Tahoe -- check. Mono Lake -- huh? Those two lakes are just a little more than 100 miles apart, but worlds different in terms of fame and fortune. Usually, if I say, "Have you ever seen the movie Chinatown with Jack Nicholson?" there is some vague recollection of Mono Lake. That movie is based on the water disputes that drained California's Owens Valley to build up a thirsty Los Angeles. There is a lot of history behind Mono Lake, much more than I will include here, but there is now signage all along the South Tufa Trail explaining the history behind the water wars.<br />
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After years and years of diverting Mono Lake's source, the lake began to dry up and expose the tufas. The tufas are formed from underground calcium-rich springs that combine with the alkaline lake water to create calcium carbonate limestone precipitate. The tufas only form underwater so we are seeing these particular tufas because the lake has been drained for so long. There are many other characteristics that make Mono Lake quite unique, and they are explained along the way, as well. This is the far western side of the area known as the "Great Basin." It's kind of spooky out here, and it kind of looks like how I imagine living on Mars would be. Perhaps if the drought in California continues, we can anticipate more of California looking liking this.<br />
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Length: 1 mile loop</div>
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Elevation gain: none</div>
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Time it took us: 1 hour with stops to read the display signs</div>
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Dogs allowed: Yes, on leashes, but please keep them away from the tufas.</div>
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Fees: $3 self-pay per person, kids under 16 are free.</div>
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Directions: From US 395, take Hwy 120 east for 5 miles to the turnoff for the South Tufa Trail. Closest town is Lee Vining, California.</div>
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-5314434965677428042014-08-15T17:00:00.000-07:002014-08-15T21:59:40.535-07:00Rainbow Falls & Devils Postpile HikesI first learned about Devils Postpile in 1989 while taking a Geology 101 class in college, and although it was explained to me that the lava cooled and formed these crazy hexagons which are some of "the finest examples of visible basaltic columns in the world," I still can't wrap my head around how they're all so perfectly shaped. They're like freaks of nature; they really looked "carved." The glacier came through and exposed these columns (thank you, glacier) so the proof is right in front of me, but it's still mind-boggling.<br />
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There are many ways of seeing both Rainbow Falls and Devils Postpile, and there are other things to see around here, but I'll explain what we did and my rationale. Keep in mind that this is just "the long way to the Bay area" for us so we're already on an extended detour!<br />
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Catch the Reds Meadow Shuttle from the "mammoth" sculpture at Mammoth Mountain Inn. Just go to the window at the Adventure Center on the day you want to take the shuttle and buy tickets which are $7 per adult and $4 per child. My recommendation is to take the shuttle all the way to Stop #9 which is the 2nd to last stop on the shuttle. EVERY SINGLE person on our packed (even people standing) shuttle bus got off at Stop #6 to do the Postpile first. We moved to the front of the bus for the remainder of the ride, and our driver gave us a personal tour of the valley. My other recommendation is to SLEEP IN and take the shuttle around noon or 1:00. The rainbow at Rainbow Falls is most colorful in the mid-afternoon sunlight. The hike from shuttle bus stop #9 to the falls is 1.2 miles DOWNHILL. Hello, that means 1.2 miles UPHILL on the way back which is another reason why we thought hiking Rainbow Falls first before Devils Postpile would make more sense while we still had more energy. When you get back up to Stop #9, get back on the shuttle (they come every 20 minutes) and take it to Stop #6 for the Postpile. If you've timed this hike like we did (with lots of photo stops) you will be arriving to the Postpile around 3:30 or 4:00 when the mid-day sun has moved to the west so you can look up to the east and view the large basalt Postpile without being blinded by the sun, and instead the sun will be casting some wonderful light on your Postpile. The hike to the Postpile is only 0.4 miles of flat hiking with an optional steep section of hiking up to the top of the Postpile. When we got back on the bus at Stop #6, we traveled down to pick up the hikers at Rainbow Falls Stop #9, and they were lined up like a ride at Disneyland. Some even had to wait for another bus. Just my thoughts on the subject. The Sierras are HIGHLY popular in the summer so if I can avoid the crowds, I will!<br />
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Length: 2.4 miles for the Rainbow Falls section + 0.8 miles for the Devils Postpile section = 3.2 miles of total hiking.<br />
Elevation gain: 335 feet<br />
Time it took us: 4.5 hours from leaving the mammoth sculpture to arriving back to the mammoth sculpture.<br />
Dogs allowed: If they are muzzled and well-behaved then they may ride the shuttle bus.<br />
Fees: Shuttle bus: $7 per adult, $4 per child<br />
Directions: From Hwy 395, take Hwy 203 west up through Mammoth Lakes to Mammoth Mountain Inn where you catch the shuttle.<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-30872876057673539512014-08-14T12:00:00.000-07:002014-08-15T21:31:21.232-07:00Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Discovery TrailI often feel sad that California is largely known geographically for its beaches. I have driven the length of California probably over a hundred times in my life, shuttling between my parents house to college, then my Arizona home to my in-laws. I have done 1, 101, 99, and 5, but I still really enjoy the lesser-known Highway 395 up the eastern side of the Sierras. There is so much to see along here and no one seems to go this way.<br />
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I also feel sad that everyone knows that California has the tallest living thing, the California Redwood, and the largest living tree, the Sequoia, but most fail to realize that California also has one of the oldest living things in the United States right here on the eastern side of the Sierras in the White Mountains of the Inyo National Forest -- the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. Some of these trees right along the Discovery Trail are well over 4,000 years old. <br />
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The visitor center at the Schulman Grove can give you the complete low-down on why these trees have adapted to this unique environment. You can also learn about their super-sappy, resin-laden and bristly pine cones, and the dendrochronologists who discovered these trees, but the real action is out on the trail where you can get up close and personal to these magnificent trees. The hike is listed as a 1-mile loop, but it seems MUCH longer. Possibly the hike seems longer because of the 10,000+ ft elevation, or maybe because you are stopping so much to photograph them, but plan accordingly. Hiking shoes are necessary due to the loose rock along the trail and the steep incline. Drink lots of water and bring lots of camera battery life!<br />
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Length: 1 mile<br />
Elevation gain: 300 ft<br />
Time it took us: 2 hours<br />
Dogs allowed: yes<br />
Fees: $3 per adult or $6 per carload<br />
Directions: From US Hwy 395, turn east on Hwy 168 just north of Big Pine. Follow Hwy 168 for 13 miles to White Mountain Road and turn left (north) for another 10 miles to the Schulman Grove.<br />
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-81352049498632784272014-08-05T15:00:00.000-07:002014-08-07T11:35:16.496-07:00Woods Canyon Lake Loop<br />
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There has been a noticeable lapse
in hiking over here at Our Hiking Mystery so I must confess to the reason. You
see, hiking was foremost a way for the authors to cool off from the desert and
the concrete jungle, and then last year, the authors put in a POOL and began to
spend more time at home! However, although the pool was put underneath a 35
foot Mesquite tree, there is still an absence of TREES in the life of the Our
Hiking Mystery bloggers. Therefore, a pact has been made to get back to hiking.
There is something very invigorating about the solitude and time to commune
with nature while getting some exercise.
Hiking is the best.<br />
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The best way to do this hike is
to plan six months in advance, get a waterfront campsite at Spillway
Campground, and then march down the 100 yards to the spillway dam and begin
your counter-clockwise, 5-mile loop of
the lake. This hike is extremely easy to follow since there are blue plastic
diamonds nailed to the trees leading you around the lake. If you haven't scored
a campsite, the hike can also be started from the marina parking lot or the day
use Rocky Point trailhead parking lot. The lake is only a little more than a
two hour drive from metro Phoenix so a day hike is certainly doable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a fabulous summer hike to
do if you are yearning for some green scenery. Woods Canyon Lake, at 7,500 feet
elevation, is so heavily forested that it is reminiscent of an Ewok Village
with the heavy tree cover. The whole area along the Mogollon Rim has the most
densely packed area of Ponderosa Pines in all of the United States. After
summer thunderstorms, as we have just had, the slopes along the lake are also
covered in a green carpet of grass, and the ferns, skunk cabbage, and lichens
are all moist and greener than usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Woods Canyon Lake, even midweek,
is a busy place during the summer. There is a very strong fishing culture here
so I didn't find it to be the best place to kayak for wildlife viewing.
Kayaking was tiresome trying to avoid people’s fishing lines. There are some
cool narrow arms to explore though. However, hiking was the opposite – none of
the fishermen seemed to have any interest in hiking so the gorgeous perimeter
trail was nearly empty on a Tuesday in August.<br />
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Along my hike, I saw chipmunks,
squirrels, Steller’s Jays, Herons, a turtle, and a snake. The trail on the north side of the lake takes you past some typical rugged Mogollon Rim rock
formations and past the site of a recent forest fire.<br />
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With the dense forest, it’s
really easy to see why this area is so vulnerable to wildfire. There are a few
steep areas on this northwest portion of the trail with some loose rock so be
careful hiking through here.<br />
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The steep area leads out to two arms of the lake
with a little creek crossing and some lush meadows and wildflowers. This is the
most beautiful section of the trail.<br />
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From here, you will go uphill again, and if
you are hiking during spring and summer, you will be re-routed away from the
lake a bit on this southern portion because of bald eagle nesting sites. It
gets a little confusing through here, but just keep looking for the blue
diamonds on the trees and know that you might be going OVER some fallen trees
that are blocking the trail. From here, you will come down to the Rocky Point
trailhead (if you started there), or, following the road, to the marina, or
back to the campground. This southern side has all of the activity and people. The
other side is the place to be if you want solitude. I can't imagine coming here
to this beautiful lake without going all the way around it, and seeing the
whole thing along this fantastic loop hike. </div>
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Length: 5.5 miles (with the
slight spring and summer re-route)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elevation gain: 100 feet<o:p></o:p></div>
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Time it took us: 2.5 hours<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dogs: Yes<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fees: $5 day use fee or included
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Directions: From metro Phoenix
take Highway 87, the Beeline Highway, to Payson. Then go east on Highway 260
towards Heber, approximately 30 miles, and turn north (left) on Forest Road 300
which is just past milepost 282, across from the Rim Visitor Center, and follow
the signage to Woods Canyon Lake. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-61050738955303376092014-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:002014-08-07T11:07:22.182-07:00Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail<br />
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Right off the bat, this trail has
perhaps the least amount of wildlife I have ever seen on a hike. I was there on
a late afternoon in July so maybe that was the problem. Maybe the elk gather in
the early morning. Maybe they are friskier in the spring. I don’t know. I knew
I wouldn't be lucky enough to see a pronghorn antelope, but I was hoping for a
mule deer or even an Abert’s squirrel with the cute little ears like I saw
everywhere in the Pinal Mountains. There weren't even any real birds there
which I thought a bit odd. It’s as if the sign “Watchable Wildlife” sign went
up and the animals bolted. I have seen more wildlife along highway 180 than I
saw on this hike. Now, I will say that were some storm clouds brewing, and
animals are smarter than we are about these kinds of things so maybe they were
watching me with amusement from some sheltered location. However, the trail is
so short at 1.5 miles that you can easily make it back to base if one of those
large grey clouds opens upon you. You can make the hike even shorter if you do
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Plusses to the hike: this is a
great hike to do with little kids or the hiking-challenged because it is almost
entirely flat. There are also signs describing the hike along the way and
explaining meadows, volcanic activity, aspen growth, ponderosa pines, animal
behavior, and the human history of the area. We were really surprised to see
all of the old mining equipment that was left out in the open. I have said this
before in regards to petroglyphs, but PLEASE do not remove these old historical
relics. Besides being against the law, it’s really cool if we can all see
history out in the open without worrying that people will try to take a
“souvenir.” Come here instead and take in the full effect by imagining that you
lived here in the early 1900s. It is a gorgeous spot with some beautiful views
of Arizona’s tallest peak, Mount Humphreys, at 12,633 feet. The Hopis and
Navajos both regard these peaks to be sacred and have lived among them for
thousands of years when I’m certain the wildlife was far more plentiful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Length: 1.5 miles for the loop described</div>
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Elevation gain: <50ft</div>
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Time it took us: Less than an hour with many statue-like stops to listen carefully for wildlife sounds.</div>
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Dogs: Allowed on the trail but not recommended if you want to see wildlife.</div>
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Fees: None</div>
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Directions: Take Highway 180 north from Flagstaff approximately 20 miles and the trailhead parking lot with bathrooms will be between milepost 235 and 236 on west (left) side of the road.<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-91158299387378688292013-09-13T12:14:00.000-07:002013-09-13T12:14:52.259-07:00First Water Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The creeks are flowing right now in and around the Superstition Mountains due to lots of late-season monsoon rain. It's still pretty hot outside in early September in the Sonoran desert to do any long hikes. Keep in mind that it'll be in the 90's by noontime. The perfect compromise to this problem today was to do the Dutchman Trail #104 via the First Water Trailhead as an up and back hike. I have done segments of this trail as part of the 9 mile loop hike in <a href="http://ourhikingmystery.blogspot.com/search/label/Black%20Mesa%20Loop">Black Mesa Loop</a>. By doing it as an up and back hike, you can keep an eye on the weather and return when things start heating up. The other benefit to following First Water Creek is that you can just wade through the creek to cool off. We went a little over a mile up the trail before turning around, but if you go further up, there are sections that almost necessitate some creek-walking -- fun, fun, fun!<br />
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From the First Water Trailhead, follow the trail 0.3 mile until the first sign split where you will veer to the right on the Dutchman's Trail #104. From here, you stay on the Dutchman's Trail so this is the perfect hike for someone that doesn't like to do a lot of route finding. The temptation is there to veer to the left along the romantic-sounding Second Water Trail, but don't do it. If you want to follow First Water Creek, you will want to take the Dutchman's Trail. Not that the Second Water Trail isn't scenic -- see <a href="http://ourhikingmystery.blogspot.com/search/label/Hackberry%20Springs%20Loop">Hackberry Springs Loop</a> -- but you will have to travel farther to see this much flowing water. Rarely do I see other hikers traveling this direction on the Dutchman's Trail. Today we didn't see another soul! We did run into a Friday the 13th, phantom-like horse-sound that frightened the bejesus out of us, only to discover that it was a large, extended family of Gambel's quail scurrying out of some jojoba bushes and up a cliffside. The vegetation was so thick and green from the recent rains that it was more reminiscent of a jungle than a desert at certain parts along the trail.<br />
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The other really cool thing about hiking right now is that September is traditionally apple-picking time, right? And this trail is no exception:</div>
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Yes, our desert-style apple harvest looks a bit more like the juicy, red Prickly Pear fruits. Those little harmless-looking white spots on the red fruit are actually quite sharp, and after picking this beast I had to remove some spiny barbs from my fingers. The fruit is a little sweet and full of seeds. I can see why the preferred eating method would be jam or wine. It kind of reminds me of a pomegranate but not sour.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Length: 2 to 7 miles as an up and back, depending on how far up the trail you go</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Elevation gain: 300 feet</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Time it took us: 1.5 hours as a 2.5 mile hike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Dogs okay: yes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Fees: No Tonto Pass required at this trailhead (at this time)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Directions: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The First Water Trailhead can be accessed from metro Phoenix by US 60 east to Idaho Road and head north. At the intersection of Idaho Road and Highway 88, turn right and head northeast on Highway 88 towards Canyon Lake. After Lost Dutchman State Park, the First Water Trailhead, also known as Forest Road 78, will be on your right after milepost 201. The actual trailhead is about 2 miles down the dirt road, which is bumpy but passable without a 4-wheel drive.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-44716339478986740522013-03-06T20:55:00.000-07:002013-03-07T08:27:28.133-07:00Lost Goldmine-Cougar Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Wasn't it snowing there a couple of weeks ago?"<br />
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Yup. Here's today ----></div>
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Here's February 21st: <a href="http://ourhikingmystery.blogspot.com/2013/02/massacre-grounds.html">(link)</a></div>
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Summer's scorching temperatures come on all too quickly in the Sonoran desert. After 16 years here, I have learned that it's freezing one day and too hot the next. We embrace this glorious spring while it's here. </div>
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That's why I elected to play hooky from everything today and get outside in the lovely 79 degree weather before we get rain on Friday. Our schedules, probably like most of the country, are really complicated so you just have to seize the day from time to time and follow nature's call.</div>
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Having a touch of spring fever, I was determined to find wildflowers today. Unfortunately, with the cold temperatures and snow we had recently, wildflowers are making a later appearance this season. I knew the only way I was going to find these elusive Mexican gold poppies was to find a south-facing, lower elevation hillside. We've had enough rain so I knew they had to be out there somewhere, but I haven't seen any of our local county or state parks posting definitive sightings. </div>
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Back to my trusty Superstition Mountains. Where I found snow on the northern flanks two weeks ago, today I found wildflowers on the southern flanks along the Lost Goldmine Trail. I have only done parts of the 9.5-mile Lost Goldmine Trail: the section leading to <a href="http://ourhikingmystery.blogspot.com/search/label/Broadway%20Cave">Broadway Cave</a>, the section leading up to the <a href="http://ourhikingmystery.blogspot.com/search/label/Hieroglyphics%20Trail">hieroglyphs</a>, and the far eastern section near Peralta Trail (which was pre-blogging.) One of the main reasons I haven't done the whole thing is it would require either (a) leaving a car at each end, or (b) doing an 19-mile round-trip hike -- neither option seems particularly fun to me. I like loop hikes. I don't want to see the same scenery twice. </div>
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Often when I'm out on the trail, I think: "Who the heck took the time and energy to make this beautiful trail for all to enjoy?" I just can't imagine doing it. I think many people in life<i> talk </i>about taking on big projects and making positive changes in the world, but few actually follow through with plans. For the wonderful mountain bikers that made the Gold Canyon Trail System, you are all awesome! I hope you know how much enjoyment you have given hikers, bikers, and horse-riders with all of your labor. And these folks maintain the trails, too -- unbelievable! Lost Goldmine Trail was made by Superstition Area Land Trust volunteers in conjunction with Tonto National Forest, but the Cougar Trail that allows us to make a manageable 5-mile loop, sprung from volunteer mountain bikers. I highly recommend checking these trails out. If you are a hiker, I'll have you know that I didn't pass a single mountain biker on a midweek afternoon out there. No fears about getting run off the road, and they are polite anyway. </div>
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When you start out at the Cloudview Trailhead (I know this as the Hieroglyphics Trailhead but it is actually on Cloudview Road so there you go), you will follow the trail up the hill with everyone. Once at the top, there will be clear signage pointing either left for the Hieroglyphics Trail or right for the Lost Goldmine Trail -- go this way. If you hike this trail in the next few weeks, you will see clusters of poppies and lupines about 1.5 miles down the trail. Here's a sampling: </div>
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If you're too late in the season or weather destroys the flowers, there are still plenty of interesting landmarks along this trail: a Saguaro with a dislocated shoulder, a tree fort, and a sentinel grove: </div>
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Just remember to pay attention at around mile 2.3 because there is not an actual sign that says "Cougar Trail" when you are approaching from this direction. The sign says "<--- Lost Gold --->" and you will bear right up the hill here like this:</div>
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The Cougar Trail is beautifully maintained and a fun series of up and down hills, washes, and "meadows" like this:</div>
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There is another slightly confusing trail split when you come to the Gila Monster Trail turn-off. Just remember that you are making a clockwise loop so you will always be bearing to the right. When you get to the sign that says "2GM" you will bear to the right like this and stay on the Cougar Trail:</div>
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And when all else fails, just follow the horse droppings! Just kidding -- it is easy route finding! Enjoy!</div>
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Length: 5 miles</div>
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Elevation gain: 300 feet</div>
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Dogs okay: Yes</div>
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Fees: None</div>
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Directions: From metro Phoenix, take US60 east to Gold Canyon and exit left (north) at Kings Ranch Road (a streetlight.) Follow Kings Ranch Road approximately 3.5 miles until you see the brown and white trailhead sign where you will bear left and continue following the trailhead signs. You should not hit any dead-end streets while you follow these signs until you hit Cloudview Road where you will turn right. The Cloudview Trailhead parking lot is at the end of the road.</div>
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-71346018627008460132013-02-21T13:17:00.000-07:002013-02-22T12:47:24.746-07:00Massacre Grounds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a rare snowfall in Apache Junction last night, so I decided before bed that I would wake up early and go hike today in my beloved Superstitions. Knowing that the snow would melt quickly this morning, I chose a north-facing slope to hike along, and the obvious choice was the Massacre Grounds trail. I hadn't been out along this trail since 2010 when the trail was basically following rock cairns alongside a popular target shooting area. The new trail begins at the Crosscut Trailhead parking area along the Firstwater Trailhead dirt road just past mile marker 201 and Lost Dutchman State Park along AZ 88 (the highway that goes to Canyon Lake.) The new trail adds a little bit of length to the hike so it is now nearly 6 miles long for the total up and back to Massacre Falls. However, we weren't interested in doing the entire trail length this morning because we were just snow searching! The snow-tipped mountains and cacti are just stunningly gorgeous together. It's so hard to believe that this area sees temps above 110 degrees Fahrenheit for the majority of the summer. I only passed one other hiker this morning, and he assured me that the waterfall is running so for those of you that want to do the full 3 miles up, it will be well worth it. I went a mile and a half up the trail today and ended near the first set of rock spires to get some beautiful views of the mountains. I stopped by a large, over 6-foot tall, granite boulder, and listened to the snow melt on the nearby bushes like the sound of running water. By the time I returned to the trailhead parking area around 10:30, most of the ground snow was gone, but it's still on the peaks and could make for a wonderful hike through the weekend.<br />
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Length: 5.8 miles<br />
Elevation gain: 1000 feet<br />
Dogs okay: Yes<br />
Fees: None<br />
Directions: From metro Phoenix take US 60 east to Idaho Rd. (AZ 88) exit and head north (left) following it past Lost Dutchman State Park and turn right at the Firstwater Trailhead turnoff past mile marker 201. The Crosscut parking area is 1/4 mile on the right and is easily passable without 4WD. The Massacre Grounds trail begins on the far left side of the parking area.<br />
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Just FYI, here's a link to a previous post I did about the Massacre Grounds if you're interested in the history: <br />
<a href="http://ourhomeschoolmystery.blogspot.com/2010/11/massacre-grounds.html">http://ourhomeschoolmystery.blogspot.com/2010/11/massacre-grounds.html</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichens likin' snow</td></tr>
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<br />Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-19586915315655285532012-03-17T18:05:00.000-07:002012-03-17T18:05:20.069-07:00Cat Peaks Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Today is St. Patrick's Day and everyone is thinking about green landscapes, even here in the Sonoran Desert. Although we don't have lush green meadows, I'm here to tell you that this desert is home to over 2,000 plant species, and they are ALIVE right now in the springtime! Here is a sampling from my hike earlier this week around the Cat Peaks of Usery Mountain Park:<br />
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</tbody></table>To get to the Meridian Trailhead where this hike begins, go due north along Meridian Road in Apache Junction until the road ends at a small dirt parking lot. Meridian Road can be accessed from metro Phoenix, either from US60 east to the Signal Butte exit going north off the freeway (left) and then east (right) on Lost Dutchman Blvd and north (left) on Meridian Road, or from the 202 Red Mountain Freeway to the Brown Road exit (which becomes Lost Dutchman Blvd) and head east (left) off the freeway and north (left) on Meridian Road.<br />
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The trail starts at the northwest end of the Meridian Trailhead parking lot. From here, the goal is to cross over from the Tonto National Forest land to the Usery Mountain Park boundary. This section is the hardest route finding of the hike, but there is a clear (but unmarked) trail going down into and out of the ravine that will put you on the Pass Mountain trail. You can see the twin Cat Peaks southwest of the Meridian Trailhead so you will know that you want to keep veering to the left after the ravine and not make the mistake of going right and ending up on a 7-mile trek around Pass Mountain -- no no! I took a picture of the trail as it looks just a short distance from the Meridian Trailhead as it descends down into the ravine to cross over:<br />
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Once across the ravine, go left on the clear trail that you intersect with, and you will be on the Pass Mountain trail. Here's a park map to help you out: <a href="http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/pdf/2012maps/usery-11x17-3d.pdf">http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/pdf/2012maps/usery-11x17-3d.pdf</a> Along the Pass Mountain trail, there is a fence on your left. When you get to the Cat Peaks, you will finally see some signage. There will be a break in the fence on your left, and you will be staring straight up at one of the Cat Peaks. You have a choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise around these peaks. Either way is scenic -- we went clockwise this time, and then included the Cat Peaks Pass section so we could take in the views from the top. Wandering around these peaks looking for spring flowers isn't too much work because there are less than two miles of total trail mileage around and over them. After the peaks, we returned east along the Meridian Trail, and we turned north on Meridian Road to head back to the parking lot. Someone else clocked the hike for me with a GPS, and even with all of our wandering, we still came in at 4.4 miles of easy and beautiful spring hiking. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Length: 4.4 miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elevation gain: 300 feet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time it took us: 2.2 hours</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dogs okay: yes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fees: suggested $2 per hiker upon exit of the Meridian Trail at the self-pay station</div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-16859022859440684352012-03-03T17:18:00.043-07:002012-03-12T14:34:17.299-07:00Sutherland Trail"Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go . . . "<br />
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I remember the exact moment along the Sutherland Trail when my daughter told me that was her hiking song. I laughed at that because we all have songs going through our heads to get us through something monotonous. I told her that we use, "Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive," for CPR compressions in the ER, and she thought that was hilarious.<br />
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Rarely do I pick a one-way, out and back trail to hike because I don't like the boredom of seeing the same terrain twice. The exception to this guideline is if there is a clear destination I'm trying to get to: such as, the view of Weaver's Needle on the crest of the Peralta Trail, the rock art at the end of the Hieroglyphics Trail, or the cave atop the Broadway Cave Trail. In the case of the Sutherland Trail in Catalina State Park, the clear destination was spring wildflowers. And WILD they are, if you go RIGHT NOW! Literally, hillsides of Mexican Gold Poppies with Lupines splashed in there for color.<br />
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From the trailhead parking lot, follow the signs that direct you left along the Sutherland Trail. Yes, the majority of people will be taking the Canyon Loop Trail -- I don't know why; I'm sure it's lovely, but if you're looking for wildflowers, then the Sutherland Trail is the one you want. You will be following a streambed, and, at times, crossing it. The trail splits off at a staircase, but you want to follow the clearly marked signs pointing you left along the Sutherland Trail and up a rock staircase. Shortly up these stairs, you will begin to see the wildflowers. We lingered a long time in this area taking pictures like crazy by lying on the ground, posing on boulders, and annoying bees with close-ups. <br />
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While going up the second rock staircase, turn around to get shots of the flowers with Saguaros and Barrel Cacti in front. At the top of these second stairs, you have a choice to keep going along the Sutherland Trail, and other hikers did tell me that there were some more patches of flowers further along (the Sutherland Trail goes 10.6 miles up the side of Mt. Lemmon.) However, we were so enamored with this area of flowers that we elected to turn around at the top of the second staircase where there is an unmarked trail going hard-left off the Sutherland Trail (it forms a "V.") From here, you can do a loop around this heavily-flowered area to come back down the hill and reconnect with the Sutherland Trail to head back the way you came. In a sense, you are doing a counter-clockwise loop around the flower field. Cutting this hike off here at this point creates about 2.4 miles total of easy hiking that almost any flower-loving hiker can do. Hopefully, the blooms will keep up since it is still early in the season, but there's no telling so I'd go soon.<br />
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Length: 2.4 miles<br />
Elevation gain: 200 feet<br />
Time it took us: 2.5 hours with lots of photography<br />
Dogs okay: yes<br />
Fees: $7<br />
Directions: The actual address to the park is: 11570 N. Oracle Rd. in Oro Valley. If at all possible, I highly recommend taking the Pinal Pioneer Parkway (Highway 79) to get to the park. From the far East Valley of metro Phoenix, this took me just over an hour and a half along this route. Along Hwy 79 past Florence, the wildflowers are absolutely gorgeous with Globe Mallows, Brittlebush, and Penstemons mixed in with the Poppies and Lupines, particularly between mile markers 105 and 106 and again between 112 and 113.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9d2DNlnkglw/T1p5OnblioI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZVUOn-vxzao/s1600/249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9d2DNlnkglw/T1p5OnblioI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZVUOn-vxzao/s400/249.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppies<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgoBP9nJI3Q/T1p5jIj96NI/AAAAAAAAAYw/JoIchs3hjYs/s1600/230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgoBP9nJI3Q/T1p5jIj96NI/AAAAAAAAAYw/JoIchs3hjYs/s400/230.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lupines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13Pzy1QBetM/T1p522X68wI/AAAAAAAAAY4/mwZtKEmCPKw/s1600/231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13Pzy1QBetM/T1p522X68wI/AAAAAAAAAY4/mwZtKEmCPKw/s400/231.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Staircase</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOfmr3bTHp4/T1p6K0EqycI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6gRD058Qtrs/s1600/253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOfmr3bTHp4/T1p6K0EqycI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6gRD058Qtrs/s400/253.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streambed</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cKwzEk1bK8/T1p6a_NvqYI/AAAAAAAAAZI/s-rxvfxuvPg/s1600/255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cKwzEk1bK8/T1p6a_NvqYI/AAAAAAAAAZI/s-rxvfxuvPg/s400/255.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lost Dutchman (I guess)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnaxBq3IsQM/T1p6xEBLgyI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/40tjc05LdZo/s1600/235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnaxBq3IsQM/T1p6xEBLgyI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/40tjc05LdZo/s400/235.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hikers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t51ZdZLQNEU/T1p7Cof-8KI/AAAAAAAAAZY/kaeTYRRn5JM/s1600/225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t51ZdZLQNEU/T1p7Cof-8KI/AAAAAAAAAZY/kaeTYRRn5JM/s400/225.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan B: This photo was taken along Picture Rocks Road in Saguaro National Park where the blooms are just starting.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-76658423179716052962012-02-17T19:22:00.001-07:002012-02-17T19:22:57.248-07:00Urban Lakes: Red Mountain & Tempe Town Lakes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYJyd-YfrQU/Tz7sFUXoQqI/AAAAAAAAAW0/VexY1MaCf4Q/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYJyd-YfrQU/Tz7sFUXoQqI/AAAAAAAAAW0/VexY1MaCf4Q/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron catching dinner at Tempe Town Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I miss being around water. Although many of the hikes that I've been posting about follow streams, lakes, and rivers, I still feel very landlocked here in the Arizona desert. I now realize how very much I took for granted growing up near the Pacific Ocean. Every birthday party, graduation party . . . even senior ditch day, took place at the beach. Exercise was . . . walking on the beach. Cooling off was . . . going to the beach. A nice meal out was . . . down by the beach. So I thought I'd post today about two places here that I like to go to find some expanse of water. Neither of these walks are particularly "hikes," but both make a really nice stroll; especially if you aren't into the rugged thing, but you just want some easy exercise. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_dLKonJDqk/Tz70TDVxLPI/AAAAAAAAAW8/4VtA-WmRhc8/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_dLKonJDqk/Tz70TDVxLPI/AAAAAAAAAW8/4VtA-WmRhc8/s400/IMG_0176.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Mountain Park Lake<br />
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</tbody></table>Red Mountain Park Lake is just west of the 202 Red Mountain freeway along Brown Road in Mesa. The large and paved perimeter pathway around the lake is about 0.85 miles and very pleasant. My normal routine is to walk around the lake three times, and I can usually do this in about an hour making a 2.5 mile total walk. Along the way, there are people riding bikes, rollerblading, and fishing along the shore. I have also spotted many varieties of birds, especially different waterfowl, and rodents. Parking is super easy on either side of the park, and leashed dogs are allowed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tempe Town Lake is a man-made lake created by the damming of this section of the Salt River with inflatable dams. The way I like to do this lake is to park at Tempe Center for the Arts and begin the walk about 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset. If you begin at Tempe Center for the Arts, you will see a modern pedestrian footbridge going across the lake, but don't go over it yet! Instead, go due east towards Tempe Beach Park, and the old Mill Avenue Railroad Bridge will be the first bridge that you go underneath:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUxvL5zTP8c/Tz74j_E6PaI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Xf2NgizyFf0/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUxvL5zTP8c/Tz74j_E6PaI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Xf2NgizyFf0/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
After going underneath the four Mill Avenue bridges, and past Tempe Beach Park with the rowers setting out for their before-sunset rows, you will continue along the path to the Rural Road (also called Scottsdale Road) combined pedestrian/vehicle bridge and turn left (north) over the bridge. Once on the other side of the bridge, turn left again (west) to begin forming a loop around the lake. Along the path coming down from the bridge, you might spot some people/trolls living underneath the bridge near some pygmy palm trees. Usually they are just sleeping. If you continue along the path, now due west, you will come to the marina:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sC5IVZj1uA/Tz7-lSJFh-I/AAAAAAAAAXM/o5ApQ2CMBjI/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sC5IVZj1uA/Tz7-lSJFh-I/AAAAAAAAAXM/o5ApQ2CMBjI/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Across the lake from the marina, you have good views of ASU and "A" Mountain with the lake in front. There is also public art along the path, and signage about the history of the lake and water usage. From the marina, under the four Mill Avenue Complex bridges, and then to the Tempe Center for the Arts footbridge is my favorite section if you are hitting this stretch just as the sun is setting. The whole loop is about 3.15 miles and well worth the walk if you are looking for water in the desert!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFkDADy4LWc/Tz8BdvM33iI/AAAAAAAAAXU/vEYjl_EoIfI/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFkDADy4LWc/Tz8BdvM33iI/AAAAAAAAAXU/vEYjl_EoIfI/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P4iCtn3CIwg/Tz8KCZeK3WI/AAAAAAAAAYc/yQ4RShAoOXM/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P4iCtn3CIwg/Tz8KCZeK3WI/AAAAAAAAAYc/yQ4RShAoOXM/s400/IMG_0166.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh-CgEtySmA/Tz8ETyrCJZI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IC-zoEE0rgQ/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh-CgEtySmA/Tz8ETyrCJZI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IC-zoEE0rgQ/s400/IMG_0167.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toMDirT3hfw/Tz8E5hWDfFI/AAAAAAAAAX8/-h00cdAeslM/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toMDirT3hfw/Tz8E5hWDfFI/AAAAAAAAAX8/-h00cdAeslM/s400/IMG_0169.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwJhu-XljVE/Tz8FEKscJEI/AAAAAAAAAYE/lQ9gjHkvkCA/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwJhu-XljVE/Tz8FEKscJEI/AAAAAAAAAYE/lQ9gjHkvkCA/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-26445896604902918132012-02-03T16:02:00.173-07:002012-02-04T17:57:54.736-07:00Beverly Canyon LoopI have renamed this hike the "Fry's Electronics Hike" because the only real reason I decided to try it is because I needed to trek out to Fry's, and the trailhead is only a few blocks away. I make no secret of my preference for the desolation and lush vegetation of the Superstitions, but South Mountain has certain conveniences. Really, the Fry's Electronics theme is carried on right up to the trailhead parking lot which is next to an industrial park. I made sure to grab a parking space adjacent to the security kiosk for the warehouse figuring that the security guard might notice if my car was getting broken into . . . which would further the Fry's Electronics theme to, "Here's the place where I lost my purchases."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have found, though, that some of my best hikes have been those that I have had the lowest expectations, and this hike is no exception. We have been blessed with some beautiful weather this winter, here in the desert, creating a somewhat early spring. We started the hike on the west side of the trailhead parking lot with the Javelina Trail, and not more than 200 feet up the trail did I find my first wildflower: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5va5mAMBGg/Ty3FOyacUFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/a16kvXu8GAo/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5va5mAMBGg/Ty3FOyacUFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/a16kvXu8GAo/s400/IMG_0035.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Gold Poppy<br />
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</tbody></table> <br />
The flowers are just starting to bloom along the northern flanks of South Mountain along this portion of the Javelina Trail. A little further up the trail, we also saw some lupines and brittlebush just starting to bloom. Javelina Canyon is really lovely with birds singing on top of the saguaros, and on a Friday afternoon, we passed just a few other hikers. Every so often we would turn around and look north towards the Phoenix skyline and catch an airplane taking off or the bustle along the highways. We sat to break along the trail and noticed our dogs getting excited about something. We figured it was just a rodent or a lizard, but then we looked on the hillside above where we were sitting, and we caught three coyotes trotting along on their way down the canyon. I quickly grabbed my camera to catch the last one in the group: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9ppbizku2U/Ty3JzAKe3GI/AAAAAAAAAWU/gzhIN2k10qE/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9ppbizku2U/Ty3JzAKe3GI/AAAAAAAAAWU/gzhIN2k10qE/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
At the top pf Javelina Canyon, you will turn left (east) along the Ridgeline Trail. There are some really great views from up here. The further you go, the more Phoenix landmarks become apparent, and soon you will be making out Camelback Mountain, the Papago Buttes, Usery Mountain, Four Peaks, and the Superstitions. The views are great! However, it is pretty steep in sections with loose-packed rocks, great for sliding while being pulled by two dogs. Next time, I will bring my mountain goat instead. I also noticed a lot more hikers along the Ridgeline section, and it seemed like they hiked this trail everyday, and I was just an obstacle in their path. I definitely got an "urban hiking" feel from this hike, and I can't imagine what it would be like on a Saturday. Here's a sample of a part of the Ridgeline section:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYZsGQuSQo/Ty3OB4xuzCI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yeg57A2lASs/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYZsGQuSQo/Ty3OB4xuzCI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yeg57A2lASs/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>After coming down the last hill of the Ridgeline Trail, you will turn left (north) onto Beverly Canyon Trail which feels like a paved superhighway after what you just finished. There is also a LOT of traffic along the Beverly Canyon Trail, both hikers and mountain bikers, but you can move pretty quickly along here by just following the overhead power lines back to the trailhead. It was a nice shaded end to the hike, if you complete the hike in the afternoon. <br />
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Length: 3.9 miles<br />
Elevation gain: 500 feet<br />
Time it took us: 2.5 hours<br />
Fees: none<br />
Directions: From Baseline Road, go south on 46th Street to the end of the road.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqNn8Ok8lkQ/Ty3RxRVTuaI/AAAAAAAAAWk/j5q-fKYaRhk/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqNn8Ok8lkQ/Ty3RxRVTuaI/AAAAAAAAAWk/j5q-fKYaRhk/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BE7cKg7F5V4/Ty3SIPXiuII/AAAAAAAAAWs/bQUmFxfky4s/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BE7cKg7F5V4/Ty3SIPXiuII/AAAAAAAAAWs/bQUmFxfky4s/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-76832605761372114852011-12-20T14:33:00.148-07:002011-12-23T17:18:23.713-07:00Lost Dog Wash Trail<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FG2zLr8Ryjc/TvUDboi36kI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/kMnaKnBdr7g/s1600/PC200120a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FG2zLr8Ryjc/TvUDboi36kI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/kMnaKnBdr7g/s200/PC200120a.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>Hiking, for our family, has become just as much about the dog's socialization, exercise, and adventure, as the human's. When I learned of the Lost Dog Wash Trail, I had just "lost" my dog to illness/old age, and the catchy trail name, plus the fact that I haven't hiked in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve yet, were the motivating factors for going here. Then we adopted this little bundle of energy (photo at right) from the pound, and we have begun the quest to right his misfortunes in life, starting with showing him the local scenery. <br />
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Some of the highlights of the Lost Dog Wash Trail include a beautiful trailhead building with "recycling" toilets, benches, and an amphitheater, gorgeous views of the McDowell Mountains, and a fairly gentle hike that can be made into a loop that includes an overlook of Taliesin West. <a href="http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/trails/trails+images/Preserve+Trails+South.pdf">Here</a> is a nice map detailing how to make a loop out of the trails by beginning along the Lost Dog Wash Trail then turning right on the Ringtail Trail to begin a counter-clockwise loop after turning left at the Old Jeep Trail, and then returning along the Lost Dog Wash Trail. <br />
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The only addition to this loop that we did was add 0.4 miles each way to hike to the Taliesin Overlook. You can see Taliesin in the distance from a much different perspective than those views that are normally photographed. This hike makes a nice complement to the exhibit currently going on at Phoenix Art Museum: Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century. If you take the docent-led tour, she mentions two things that are visible from this overlook. The first is that Wright designed his structures to complement the existing surrounding natural environment. Even the name "Taliesin" is a Welsh word meaning "shining brow," and you can see how he placed his building in the "brow of the hill." The second thing apparent from the overlook is that Wright was a visionary in terms of placement of Taliesin West. He started building Taliesin West in 1937, long before the City of Phoenix easily merged into the City of Scottsdale and it's expanding suburbia which is so apparent from the Taliesin Overlook. There are some great views here, and you can even see parts of the Central Arizona Project Canal which supplies all of us desert-dwellers with what we so direly need: water. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi5NmibHWmA/TvUVYzAm6gI/AAAAAAAAAVM/w_9iY-l8uF4/s1600/CIMG0524a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi5NmibHWmA/TvUVYzAm6gI/AAAAAAAAAVM/w_9iY-l8uF4/s320/CIMG0524a.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
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Length: 5.5 miles<br />
Elevation gain: 300 feet<br />
Time it took us: 3 hours<br />
Dogs okay: Yes<br />
Fees: none<br />
Directions: Take Shea Blvd. (go east from Loop 101 or west from the 87 Beeline Highway through Fountain Hills) and then head north on 124th Street to where it ends at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead.<br />
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</div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-41876628436746368462011-11-23T17:16:00.000-07:002011-11-23T17:16:07.794-07:00Boyce Thompson ArboretumI have a Thanksgiving confession to make. All year long I have been revisiting one hike consistently, and I have never written about it. I intentionally saved this place until THIS WEEK so I could lure my readers here between now and December 15th for the fabulous fall color. If I were to pick one place in the state of Arizona that is my absolute favorite, it would be <a href="http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/">Boyce Thompson Arboretum</a>. I have so many happy memories of coming here since my first visit in 1998 pushing a baby stroller along the main trail: the fragrant Eucalyptus trees, the Chinese Pistachios, the demonstration gardens, the succulent house, the rose garden, the kid's area, Ayer Lake, Queen Creek, views of Picket Post Mountain and Picket Post house, the Clevenger House and windmill, and the countless wildlife I've seen here from foxes to snakes to all sorts of birds. Since then, I have kept up my membership and taken many groups of cub scouts, girl scouts, homeschoolers, nature lovers, and out-of-town visitors to this oasis that is just west of the town of Superior. I can get to Boyce Thompson in 30 minutes from my house in the East Valley of metro Phoenix, but I am constantly explaining to people <i>where</i> Boyce Thompson is located. I think people know that US60 goes out to Apache Junction, but then, them's dragons beyond there. It is a gorgeous drive, especially in spring when the wildflowers flank the hillsides, and it's all freeway driving. Unlike another not-to-be-named garden in Phoenix, at Boyce Thompson you can bring your dog, you can picnic, you can barbecue, and no one is going to scream at you if you come too close to a luminaria. And at $9 per adult and $4.50 for kids, it is less than half the cost of the competing garden. Poor Boyce Thompson barely survived the 2010 state park closures due to budget cuts largely because of help from the University of Arizona and private donations. I really hope I can convince people to support this arboretum. It is an amazing place, and they need every penny. Their plant sales are out of this world. I recommend the 1.5 mile Main Loop Trail AND the 0.5 mile High Trail, and if you do both of these trails together, then you get a 2.5 mile hike and get to go through the prettiest section of the Main Trail twice (the section between the Clevenger House and the Pumphouse.) So walk off your turkey dinner and just go! Here are photos from my visit today:<br />
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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcTy8-1MNiA/Ts2Fcbuk9hI/AAAAAAAAASw/ySEH8_T4kfI/s400/CIMG4866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juiMzzCtpXQ/Ts2GO-xXsHI/AAAAAAAAATA/ylizbKm0Yd8/s1600/CIMG4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juiMzzCtpXQ/Ts2GO-xXsHI/AAAAAAAAATA/ylizbKm0Yd8/s400/CIMG4867.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BbN3Q18oBDM/Ts2GoHVP7RI/AAAAAAAAATI/377nsP2CjN0/s1600/CIMG4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BbN3Q18oBDM/Ts2GoHVP7RI/AAAAAAAAATI/377nsP2CjN0/s400/CIMG4878.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M5LTjtDWLA/Ts2IQvuWtVI/AAAAAAAAATo/JW7fnNQI7vU/s400/CIMG4871.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s73cAh_hb0o/Ts2IoaQiZDI/AAAAAAAAATw/FVCYSwwe1ro/s1600/CIMG4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s73cAh_hb0o/Ts2IoaQiZDI/AAAAAAAAATw/FVCYSwwe1ro/s400/CIMG4886.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5fo202PoEQ/Ts2JCvG3U2I/AAAAAAAAAT4/9w7FJGbLjx0/s1600/CIMG4887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5fo202PoEQ/Ts2JCvG3U2I/AAAAAAAAAT4/9w7FJGbLjx0/s400/CIMG4887.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRECBFr6Zik/Ts2JODaaRpI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Vz15BygRcrY/s1600/PB230023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRECBFr6Zik/Ts2JODaaRpI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Vz15BygRcrY/s400/PB230023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-1657603401985868562011-11-08T13:45:00.214-07:002011-11-10T20:13:12.254-07:00Paseo Trail<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOqkbL_BdZg/TryQbenn55I/AAAAAAAAASQ/KDGgxJrCDqM/s1600/CIMG0520.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673568432330106770" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOqkbL_BdZg/TryQbenn55I/AAAAAAAAASQ/KDGgxJrCDqM/s200/CIMG0520.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>I stumbled upon the Paseo Trail in Chandler after searching for a good place to play Frisbee golf for my son's 14th birthday. We came to the idea of Frisbee golf after considering all the usual birthday party venues. I quickly eliminated anything indoors -- November is far too nice of a month in the deserts of Arizona to do any indoor birthday parties. We are stuck indoors from May to October so, in my mind, that is the time to do bowling, arcades, and movies. We considered miniature golf, but I am too cheap to pay for 6 people to hit balls on AstroTurf at moving windmills. Then I suggested Frisbee golf, also called disc golf, or "frolfing." I googled places to play in the Phoenix East Valley, and I found that we have a new course in Chandler that opened last year and is getting high marks from <a href="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/">http://www.dgcoursereview.com/</a>. From there, I learned that the <a href="http://chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=755">Paseo Vista Recreation Area</a> was built on a former dump site where a landfill was in operation from 1979 to 2005. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A dump transformed into a park is my kind of place. We all did research into how the city accomplished this feat, and we found that the initial money came from $12 million dollars in bond sales. Nice work, Chandler. Not surprisingly, strategic planning like this maneuver also led the city to court semi-conductor company Intel, which now employs nearly 10,000 workers in Chandler, and keeps us coast-loving people working here in the desert. The 2.2 million tons of trash was packed down with another 200,000 tons of additional soil from a nearby flood retention basin, creating a 40-foot deep "mountain" that is now the second highest point in Chandler. There are great views of the Superstitions, Santans, and all the other nearby mountain ranges from the scenic overlook. It's also a great place to watch airplanes take-off from Chandler Airport which is just to the north. To prevent erosion, there are granite rock walls encased in wire throughout the park holding back the soil while allowing water run-off. These walls, called gabion walls, are actually quite nice-looking. The park was created with recycled materials: the playground and the archery range makes use of old tires, the disc golf course uses old concrete for the tee-off pads, and the roads are lined with crushed asphalt from former city streets. The only grass at the 64 acre park, is in the two 1-acre dog park enclosures. The rest of the landscaping plant choices are all low water-users. The trash underneath the park continues to decompose, and the released methane gas is diverted to an incinerator on the McQueen-side of the park where there is a visible chimney. The EPA will continue to monitor the park through 2035. It feels clean and safe to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our Frisbee golf game, I decided to walk the one-mile loop around the park to check out all the views. When I got near the canal-side of the park, I noticed two long ramps going down to a path along the canal. The signage stated that the concrete path is the "Paseo Trail," and it follows the Consolidated Canal manned by SRP. The trail is 10 feet wide so it would be suitable for biking as well as walking. I went a ways down the path, but I then realized it is much longer than I originally thought. I came home and printed a <a href="http://chandleraz.gov/Content/Paseo_Trail_Map.pdf">map</a> before venturing out again a few days later. The section that I like travels south from the Paseo Vista Recreation Area across Ocotillo Road (be careful) to the bridge that links Pinelake Park and Crossbow Park; that section is one mile total. If you make the return trip, plus the one-mile park loop, then you are at a 3-mile walk. For a longer walk, keep heading south past the Pinelake/Crossbow bridge, cross Chandler Heights Road, and follow the path along the Bear Creek Golf Course to Riggs Road. One way, from the Paseo Vista Recreation Area to Riggs Road is 2.75 miles, or 5.5 miles round-trip, and it's a beautiful walk along the canal with the adjacent golf course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Length: 3 miles or 5.5 miles for the round-trips described</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elevation gain: 50 feet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time it took us: 1 hour for the 3 mile trip or 3 hours for the 5.5 mile trip, with a stop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dogs okay: Yes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fees: None</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge linking Pinelake and Crossbow Parks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-54454044926331957442011-10-25T17:51:00.202-07:002014-10-27T13:22:55.565-07:00Icehouse Canyon Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pinal Peak, 7850 feet, in the Pinal Mountains is a mysterious little hideaway made more covert by the fact that it isn't actually in Pinal County. Shhhh . . . it's in Gila County along the southern tip of the Tonto National Forest. The large population center of Phoenix East Valley seems not to have noticed that you can get to Globe in a little more than an hour versus the 2+ hours it takes to get to hiking destinations in Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Rim. I'm torn to even write about this place because I really like that I DID NOT SEE EVEN ONE OTHER SOUL once I was off on the forest service roads leaving Globe and heading into the Pinal Mountain Recreation Area. However, what good is a hiking blog if you can't leave a trail of beans pointing the next person there?<br />
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Along the northern side of Pinal Peak exists a little micro-climate of aspens, bigtooth maples, and smooth sumac that creates just CRAZY colors this time of year. You need to act fast, though, because the peak is nearly over. Here is a sampling from the trail:<br />
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There are various long and difficult trails that climb Pinal Peak, but if you are wanting a hike in this dense and gorgeous fall color, then I recommend the Icehouse Canyon Trail, named for when they used to trek up here to bring ice down to the community of Globe below. You can start at the top of the trail, and within minutes you'll be surrounded in this color. Then, just hike down as far as you want to go, leaving ample time for the STEEP hike back up. Since we stopped so many times along the way . . .<br />
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First, to photograph manzanita:<br />
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Then, to take in views of the Dripping Springs range all the way to the Santa Catalinas:<br />
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Don't forget the wildlife -- we saw an Abert's tassel-eared squirrel, so cute with his fuzzy ears, but he got into the tree before we could photograph him. However, we were like the paparazzi surrounding this little guy with our cameras:<br />
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We stopped to collect rock samples and pondered the difference between shale and slate -- doing the "thud" test to determine the difference. We found some cool shale samples that contained a fossilized plant which we believe to be Annularia from the Calamites plant. Then, we collected leaf samples:<br />
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So when all this business was done, it left little time for the actual hike. I'd say we barely hiked a mile down the trail, but we were still surrounded in all of this color. We will definitely go back. The drive was a little hairy. It is 12 miles on a dirt road with some steep "barrier-free" portions. However, we were still able to do the drive without 4-wheel drive with no problems, just don't plan to go very fast. It took us nearly an hour from the Globe turn-off to the top of Pinal Peak with my white-knuckles and all the photography. Down was amazingly fast with storm clouds looming!<br />
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Length: 9 miles round trip if you do the whole trail<br />
Elevation gain: 2,500 feet<br />
Time it took us: varies depending on how far down you go<br />
Dogs: yes<br />
Fees: none<br />
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Directions: From metro Phoenix go east on US 60 to Globe. Just past the Safeway/Starbucks/Walmart plaza, you will turn right on Russell Road. It gets a little confusing in here, but you want to stay on Russell Road as it winds around. If, at any point, you find yourself not on Russell Road, back-track to figure out where you went wrong :) Eventually, the road turns to dirt which signifies the beginning of Forest Road #55. Stay on Forest Road #55 until the intersection with Forest Road #651 where you will turn right to continue up the mountain. After you pass the Sulfide del Rey campground, you will bear to the left to continue on Forest Road #651. Keep bearing to the left to stay on Forest Road #651, you will know you're heading the correct way when you pass the Kellner Canyon trailhead. The Icehouse Canyon trailhead will be on the left side of the road from this approach:<br />
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Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-38903924485379255892011-10-05T15:57:00.013-07:002011-10-07T17:33:23.191-07:00Flagstaff Fall Color HikeAfter a <strike>hailed</strike> failed attempt at hiking the Bear Jaw and Abineau Trail where the hike was abandoned due to a thunderstorm that included hail being pelted upon us, I devised a new fall color hike the next day that originated right at the Flagstaff Nordic Center where we were already staying in yurts and small cabins. These cross-country ski trails, located in Coconino National Forest land, are open off-season for hikers, and they are free, well-maintained and even include port-a-potties. There are over 30 miles of trails with a well-marked trail map (distances in kilometers) available next to the bulletin board at the lodge or at the <a href="http://www.flagstaffnordiccenter.com/">Flagstaff Nordic Center website</a>. Be sure to check out their upcoming Volunteer Weekend, October 21-23, 2011, where one of the tasks will be to repair the Aspen Grove Elk Fencing. The Nordic Center has enough aspens to satiate most fall-color lovers, but like many forested areas nearby, the aspens are undergoing SAD or <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/forest-resources/forest-health/aspens/index.shtml#">"Sudden Aspen Decline."</a> Nevertheless, taking the Abineau Trail to the Aspen Yurt, and then the Skirt Trail to the Snowslide Trail, will take you past young aspens and the site of last year's tornado damage. Completing the Snowslide Loop by returning to the Aspen Yurt and the gorgeous meadow around it, and then taking the Weatherford Trail back towards the lodge will bring your hike to about 4.4 miles. To finish off your fall color appetite, turn left off of Highway 180 onto Forest Road 794 and drive through the Hart Prairie Aspen Regeneration area, and then right on Forest Road 151 past the Nature Conservancy aspens to loop back to Highway 180. Be sure to act quickly, though, because the aspens peak around the middle of October.<br />
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Length: 4.4 miles for the loop described at Flagstaff Nordic Center<br />
Elevation gain: 400 feet<br />
Time it took us: 2.5 hours<br />
Dogs: Yes<br />
Fees: None<br />
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<span id="goog_347344553"></span><span id="goog_347344554"></span>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-29072504814360684172011-09-27T14:24:00.139-07:002011-09-29T19:42:44.378-07:00West Fork Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iCqsRUuhk/ToTlQg4jJCI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5mQNoTu9zbo/s1600/P9270223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iCqsRUuhk/ToTlQg4jJCI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5mQNoTu9zbo/s320/P9270223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fall is bursting through in Arizona, making way for my favorite hiking season. September is typically the worst weather month in the desert lowlands (see: <a href="http://ourtrippingmystery.blogspot.com/"><i>Our Tripping Mystery</i></a>), but fall comes earlier in the higher elevations with temperatures in the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit. Sedona is a beautiful fall hiking destination with fall foliage colors reflected in the prominent red rocks. Oak Creek Canyon is a gorgeous place to put you in a fall mood, especially with the apple orchards near Slide Rock State Park and homemade cider sold at roadside stops. Every fall, typically the first weekend in October, the state park has an Apple Festival at the site of the Pendley homestead and apple orchard. Unfortunately, due to state budget cuts, the Slide Rock Apple Festival was cancelled in 2010 and is again cancelled for 2011. The good news is that there are still apple trees in the canyon, and you can pretty much help yourself to the apples at various locations along Highway 89 including the apple trees at the Call of the Canyon Day-Use Area where the West Fork Trail begins. These Sedona apples aren't the best quality apples I've seen grown in Arizona, so if it's apple-picking you really want to do, then I would go down to <a href="http://www.appleannies.com/">Apple Annie's in Willcox</a> where they have acres of luscious U-Pick apples. However, if you want a beautiful Sedona hike with fall color, creek crossings AND apple picking, then the West Fork Trail would be a great destination at this time of year. Just a word of warning: this is a popular hike so arrive early at the day-use area since the parking lot fills up. We arrived at 12:00PM on a Tuesday, and we had to wait a few minutes for a space to open up in the parking lot. It was well worth it, though!<br />
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Length: 6 miles total (3 miles in, and 3 miles out)<br />
Elevation gain: 400 feet<br />
Time it took us: 3.5 hours with a lunch stop<br />
Dogs: yes<br />
Fees: $9 payable at the Call of the Canyon Day-Use Area entrance<br />
Directions: from metro Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy 179 north (exit 298) to Sedona, then 89A northwest 10 miles up through Oak Creek Canyon, to the Call of the Canyon Day-Use Area on the left between milepost 384 and 385.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoFbmicGvPk/ToT_GbIjFfI/AAAAAAAAAPE/yF5GUQGixkc/s1600/CIMG4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoFbmicGvPk/ToT_GbIjFfI/AAAAAAAAAPE/yF5GUQGixkc/s400/CIMG4678.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xuE0qshvGd0/ToT_Q4FjFkI/AAAAAAAAAPI/h2GfsUA0qIc/s1600/CIMG4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xuE0qshvGd0/ToT_Q4FjFkI/AAAAAAAAAPI/h2GfsUA0qIc/s400/CIMG4679.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-54680978146643917212011-07-16T15:00:00.007-07:002011-08-05T07:24:02.412-07:00Telegraph Hill Hike<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CloXfsc7_pQ/TjSTQoCXYQI/AAAAAAAAAMM/oVTfvkV1HPI/s1600/CIMG4544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CloXfsc7_pQ/TjSTQoCXYQI/AAAAAAAAAMM/oVTfvkV1HPI/s320/CIMG4544.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arizona's high summer temperatures continue to cause the <i>Our Hiking Mystery </i>writers to seek hikes in cooler terrain. The lapses in posts are due to the long distances we must travel to hike. Do not despair because fall will be right around the corner, and beautiful hiking weather will return. In the meantime, here's a hike we did in San Francisco as part of a <a href="http://www.sfcityguides.org/">San Francisco City Guides</a> walking tour. The photo at left is of Coit Tower, as seen from the Filberts Steps. Our "Telegraph Hill Hike" includes the places that the fabulous guide David Peterson took us to, but it has extended sections at the beginning and end, rounding out the hike to 2 miles. This is my first post of an urban hike along city streets so I think the easiest way to describe the hike is through <a href="http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/43846030">MapMyWalk</a>. Another way to increase the intensity of this hike, would be to go all the way up and down both the Greenwich Steps and the Filbert Steps, rather than just part of the way like we did. These steps are really beautiful and are situated in an area somewhat protected from the fog and wind that are characteristic of the climate on the other side of the hill. There are thriving gardens along the steps making them desirable to the famous Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Some highlights of the hike are Coit Tower, the Greenwich Steps, the Filbert Steps, Art Deco architecture, and Carpenter's Gothic architecture. <br />
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Length: 2 miles<br />
Elevation gain: 350 feet (without the entire length of the steps)<br />
Time it took us: 2 hours<br />
Dogs: yes<br />
Fees: none<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenwich Steps</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuchsias and Bougainvillea thriving on Telegraph Hill</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco along Montgomery Street</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpenter's Gothic purple house along Alta Street behind an old Jeep Overland with the old California license plate</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-65044352325793530332011-06-01T12:27:00.172-07:002011-10-27T17:51:19.145-07:00Boynton Canyon Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ndyhwQ0UMY/TfFvDbWDEEI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Vb2Em4FTo8Y/s1600/100_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ndyhwQ0UMY/TfFvDbWDEEI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Vb2Em4FTo8Y/s320/100_0274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Can a smell be bottled and transported? Because this photo shows the point along the trail when I was contemplating how I could get the Sedona smell home to the Phoenix desert. It's a mixture of pine, juniper and manzanita in dry air that gives a crisp, fresh scent. And I could swear that red rocks smell different from brown rocks. They smell more musty and earthen. Is it the iron oxide in the red rocks that causes them to smell different? Like the childhood smell of a rusting Radio Flyer red-wagon. I'm not finding any convincing evidence on the internet, but I do believe that red rocks are both scenic and fragrant. Sedona is just a rock lovers paradise. A little tidbit for my fellow geology friends: Sedona's red rocks are part of the Schnebly Hill Formation, if you want to delve further. And if you tire of red rocks, even the manzanita shrubs have red bark. The sky looks so blue against these red colors, and the green foliage pops out of the trees. Sedona just seems magical.<br />
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I'm not really sure why I've only visited Sedona a couple of times before in my 13 years in Arizona. I tend to avoid touristy places. The one experience I had was at Red Rock Fantasy in the winter to see Christmas lights at a condo complex. The pictures are all of me pushing a heavily blanketed stroller, baby unrecognizable, around a maze of walkways in the dark. After that, we went to someplace called Tlaquepaque where my obsession became saying the name over and over while we window-shopped. I'm pretty sure the entire experience could have been reproduced in a Scottsdale mall. Another visit was in the late summer when we tried to go to Oak Creek and Slide Rock on a weekend -- a.k.a. "Red Rock Sunsplash" for it's waterpark-like crowds. So I hadn't really seen the "good" of Sedona. <br />
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However, now that I'm unable to hike around the Phoenix area without dying of heat stroke, we are branching out to higher ground in Sedona. I decided to try the Boynton Canyon hike earlier in the summer, rather than later, and save the shaded Oak Creek water-hikes for later in the summer when it's hotter. Unfortunately, about half of the Boynton Canyon trail winds around the Enchantment Resort with the trail right up against the red cliffs that heat up immensely in the sun. So it was pretty hot for a good part of the trail, even during the first week of June. But then the trail enters into a forested area as you go deeper into a box canyon, and it cools off a bit. A lot of the trail looks like this photo, and it gets even more densely forested:<br />
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The red rocks are really something all along the trail. A few notes of caution: the trail seems much longer than 5 miles round trip. I had read other people reviewing the trail the same way so I think the mileage is wrong on this one. Also, the last 150 feet of the trail is very steep, and due to a knee injury earlier in the week, I didn't even attempt the steep end-part. Yet, even without the very last part of the trail, which supposedly goes to an observation lookout, I can still say that the trail had a lot going for it with views, smell, and shade. The parking lot is very small so get to the trailhead early. You can buy a Red Rock pass along Highway 179 on the way into town at the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center, or in the lobby of the Enchantment Resort next door. To get to the trailhead, take Highway 179 to Sedona, and then 89A southwest out of town. Turn north after a short 3 miles onto Dry Creek Road and follow the signs to Boynton Canyon.<br />
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Length: 5+ miles round trip<br />
Elevation gain: 500 feet<br />
Time it took us: 3.5 hours<br />
Dogs: Yes<br />
Fees: $5 for a Red Rock Pass<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mare's Tail (Cirrus) clouds above the buttes indicate an impending change in the weather.</td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span id="goog_1658779826"></span><span id="goog_1658779827"></span>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-75529347323190081532011-05-14T16:00:00.001-07:002011-05-20T11:11:17.777-07:00Estero Bluffs State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAorkuHENfI/TdXfxERSmyI/AAAAAAAAAKA/vBrY2Xl40ko/s1600/DSCF0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAorkuHENfI/TdXfxERSmyI/AAAAAAAAAKA/vBrY2Xl40ko/s200/DSCF0284.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>By the time we got around to hiking Estero Bluffs State Park, we had hiked Montaña de Oro State Park, Los Osos Oaks Reserve, AND kayaked Morro Bay so we really didn't think anything could WOW us at this point in our Morro Bay trip. I pretty much had to drag my family out for more exercise by this 4th day, late afternoon on a very busy trip. I told them, "Let's just drive up to Cayucos, we don't have to get out of the car." I always say that, and we always get out of the car :)<br />
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So we drove just north of Cayucos along the Highway 1 to a turnout on the west side of the road across from San Geronimo Road. There is a large windmill and thick grasses identifying this as the state park. Here's what you're looking for: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DgJjnn05hQ/TdXh-KQp1tI/AAAAAAAAAKE/XBmOO195qio/s1600/DSCF0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DgJjnn05hQ/TdXh-KQp1tI/AAAAAAAAAKE/XBmOO195qio/s400/DSCF0273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This hike turned out to be their favorite of the four we went on, and from the different answers that I'm getting, I guess they liked it best based on the large number of animals that we saw. For me, I liked the combination of the soft grassy walking surface coupled with some beach walking on our return loop. Just make sure you check your tide chart ahead of time or it may be entirely bluff walking for you. We were there about halfway between low and high tide, and we still had a little bit of wet walking down on the beach. Not bad though. You start the trail heading straight through the grasses towards the ocean, and down some short stairs to the beach. On the far right side of the beach is where the creek enters the ocean and there continues the trail up the hill. Here's what you're looking for:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPpUxSewGJQ/TdXkunFEixI/AAAAAAAAAKI/KV7cdYHTDSU/s1600/DSCF0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPpUxSewGJQ/TdXkunFEixI/AAAAAAAAAKI/KV7cdYHTDSU/s400/DSCF0281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
From here, you're following a narrow trail along the bluff, rather close or eroded away at some points, with tall grasses on either side of the trail and meadows of wildflowers so pretty, especially in springtime. A gopher snake slithered by into the grass in front of us and numerous lizards scattered around. You can faintly see Highway 1 to the east from the trail, with people cruising along to Pismo Beach and Hearst Castle and other resort areas along this stretch of the central coast. To me there is such peacefulness along these bluffs, with a break from houses against the beach and just fields of grass, rocks, and ocean. You can keep going for 3.5 miles on this trail, but to do a loop, we found a little area where the bluff had eroded and followed it down to the beach, and then turned left to walk along the beach back to the trailhead. Here, we encountered sea anemones, hermit crabs, sea gulls, a line of pelicans, and even a haul of harbor seals on the rocks right off the coast. It was a beautiful walk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5FF_ppTESE/TdXpd67zkMI/AAAAAAAAAKM/q2yG6oZL-5Q/s1600/DSCF0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5FF_ppTESE/TdXpd67zkMI/AAAAAAAAAKM/q2yG6oZL-5Q/s320/DSCF0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Length: 2 miles for the loop described<br />
Elevation gain: 50 feet<br />
Time it took us: 2 hours<br />
Dogs: No<br />
Fees: NoneKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443848146108535485.post-13136585526055300422011-05-14T12:00:00.004-07:002011-05-19T20:06:32.345-07:00Los Osos Oaks State Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IWTg4x5OkI/TdXZGg2-fAI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/eEnhqVmkvQ8/s1600/DSCF0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IWTg4x5OkI/TdXZGg2-fAI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/eEnhqVmkvQ8/s320/DSCF0244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We drove by the signs to this preserve several times during our Morro Bay trip, and then we picked up a flyer for it in the Museum of Natural History. Being desert rats, my kids were impressed with the photos of the sprawling oak trees and dense greenery, likening them to an Ewok village. So on our last full day in Morro Bay, we packed some sandwiches and started our late-start morning here at the preserve. <br />
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You really want to be paying attention if you're coming from Morro Bay because after making the left turn onto Los Osos Valley Road, the preserve will be on the right, and it is nothing more than a small roadside parking lot that you are looking for. The challenge doesn't stop there because is is also a great place to get lost in. There are numerous side trails that are quite confusing, but luckily they all pretty much join back together at one point or another. We think we've discovered the best way to describe a loop hike after a few turn-arounds and mis-steps. Watch for poison oak!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJFPLZJH_wM/TdXXIbQ-jII/AAAAAAAAAJ4/YzhsXbWWohg/s1600/DSCF0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJFPLZJH_wM/TdXXIbQ-jII/AAAAAAAAAJ4/YzhsXbWWohg/s320/DSCF0237.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the clearing of intersecting trails - go right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From the parking lot, you will go over a bridge and come to signage for various trail starts. You will want to go left and follow the Los Osos Creek Trail so you will be making a clockwise loop around the preserve. You will hear Los Osos Valley Road on your left and start the trail heading due east; however, you will continue to veer right at all potential trails. It gets confusing through here, but if you veer left then you will get closer to the road and eventually end up in a bog so you will know that you did not take the appropriate trail for a loop. Just keep going to the right at your trail choices. Do not take these trails too quickly because Los Osos Creek is just at the bottom of the cliff, and there is no warning until HELLO, there is the bottom of the ravine. This part of the trail is a nice place for some photography, and the lichens hang very low on the oaks closer to the water. Soon you will enter an area of newer growth oaks with spindlier branches, before getting to an area where clearly, several trails are intersecting. You will want to turn right here so you can begin the Chumash Loop. The signage is a little confusing, but you will want to take the second Chumash Loop/parking lot sign that you see because ours is the wider loop. Once on the Chumash Loop Trail there is an area of very old oak trees with heavy shade that makes a nice place to pull out a sandwich while sitting on an oak recliner. The parking lot is just a short walk away, and you are about 3/4 through your hike at this point. <br />
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Length: 1.2 miles for the loop described<br />
Elevation gain: none<br />
Time it took us: 1.5 hours with a lunch stop<br />
Dogs: No<br />
Fees: NoneKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16907368305327524559noreply@blogger.com0