A wonderful spring hike and Mazatzal intro with Nick and Allen. Flowers bloomed everywhere, and Barnhardt Creek cascaded below. Healthy post fire gambel oak growth brought promise of Willow Fire recovery. The sudden appearance of the mighty west face of Mazatzal Peak may have been the high point of the day. Blisters and the sun were our only adversaries. Walking through Y-Bar Basin, where even the emory oak regrowth seemed stunted, was for me both exciting and heartbreaking. The Y-Bar Trail was loaded with wildflowers and fallen logs. Definitely a tough stretch, but very pretty. In my sleep deprived state, I left my gps behind twice and had to run back and get it. D'oh!

Dinner at Guayo's mexican restaurant in Globe was a well earned, delicious end to the day.

A great hike in wild country with good friends: what could be better?