AZWaterRat and I drove up ol' Graham with no particular destination in mind, just looking to escape the heat of the desert below. We chose the Blair Canyon Trail. We beat the heat for sure, as it was cold and windy.

I had forgotten how pretty Lefthand Canyon was! I ogled all of the pretty corkbark fir trees. We made our way down canyon along the primitive trail, through deadfall, and over one massive, fallen douglas fir with a 5 foot diameter trunk, while following tracks left behind by some enormous bear. We stopped where the ridge that divides Lefthand and Blair Canyons begins, due to prolific and nasty locust bushes. After enjoying the view of the desert below and of the Santa Teresa Mountains, we made our way back through the coniferous jungle, and arrived safely back at Chesley Flat without any sightings of the Blair Witch.

After the hike, we made many photo stops, and visited Snow Flat on the way down. We also sighted a deer and a skunk. I have not even left Safford, and I am already deeply saddened by having to leave the Pinaleno Mountains behind.