Decided to skip the desert wildflowers and head for the pines. What a surprise! Apparently there was a storm the night before that brushed the northland with some snow. The view of the Rim from the Beeline on the way up was amazing! Luckily, we didn't get to the trailhead until around 1pm, so all but a few patches of snow had melted.

The previous evening's weather made for a messy hike though. The trail was pretty much a river the entire way. Let's just say that the trail had more water running on it than many Arizona creeks that I've hiked in before! Lots of snowmelt on the lower part of the trail... and the upper half was still snow covered. There was as much as 4 or 5 inches in some shaded spots.

Despite the muddy, snowy slow going, the hike was great as usual. Encountered only two other hikers plus the crazy folks who were snow camping not far from the spring.

I was cold just thinking about it.... of course, I was also wearing shorts and a t-shirt -- which despite the snow, wasn't such a bad thing -- it was probably in the upper 50s or so.

Anyway, for those who have hiked this trail when it's hot, dry, rocky, and dusty, check out my pictures. Its a whole different trail when it's cold and wet!