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Route Scout
Pleasant by Abe Note: This is a three-trail hike, hiked in the following order: #1) Little Yeager Trail # 533, 2.1mi #2) Yeager Cabin Trail # 111, 2.0mi #3) Yeager Canyon Trail # 28, 2.0mi Continuing on from Little Yeager Trail #533 Taking a break at the orange wildlife gate, I drank some water and readjusted my fanny pack belt so it could ride better on my hips. A speed walker passes by quickly on Forest Road 105. Yeager Cabin Trail is a pleasant trail, fairly level with some minor up and down climbs and shady pines lining both sides. Once in awhile I would admire the small flowers I would spot. There is nothing significant about the trail, save perhaps the slow pace you can enjoy between trail 533 and trail 28. On several occasions over the whispering breeze in the pines keeping me company, I could hear trucks and ATVs laboring on Forest Road 105 above and to the south of me. At one point looking down the draw I spotted a nice flat rock outcropping and for a fleeting moment, much like a leaf skittering across a trail, I thought I could sunbathe (I'll leave it at that) on those rocks below for an hour or so. However, I reconsidered, figuring it would be my luck someone would be hiking the trail as well. Surprising, just above the rock outcropping I noticed water below and I was fascinated by this. I did not anticipate seeing water. It was not much, hardly worth calling as creek; yet I found it pleasant to see. And soon the trail crossed the small creeks path. Stopping, I walked down stream to a nice large rock, but first I bent down and splashed my face with the refreshing water, before sitting on the rock and taking a break. The water in the small creek sang to me as it labored, slapped, or caressed the rocks on its journey into evaporation or disappearing into the ground. I reflected on this a moment, we are much the same way. In our life's journey we labor, slap it around, or caress it, only to evaporate and disappear, forever. This little creek though, will disappear during the full heat of the blazing summer, only to return after life giving rain comes. In short, once our cycle of life is done, it is finis; my little creek, on the other hand, its cycle of life will go on and on. Enough thoughts, need to get going! Back on the trail I did not walk far before I spotted a small sheet metal water trough.Nearby were signs where the trough was held in place and large pieces of rusted two-inch iron pipes scattered about. Surveying the setup, I had the impression the trough had been hooked up and fed by a spring at one time. If only seasonal. A short distance from the trough the trail terminated at Trail # 350! Trail # 350! This should be Trail # 28! Not only that, but a sign behind me marking Trail # 111, the very trail I just walked on, is designated for everything up to ATVs. Prior to coming, I had read it was designated for horseback and hikers. Continue on to Yeager Canyon Trail #28 Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. Prescott FS Reports This trail is used mainly as a connection between Yeager Canyon Trail 28 and Little Yeager Trail 533, thus making possible a round-trip loop back to the trailheads on Highway 89A. The trail itself goes in a north-south direction staying mainly in ponderosa pine vegetation in the drainage of Little Yeager Canyon. Maps, other resources: Prescott National Forest, east half; U.S.G.S. topographic 7.5' quad for Hickey Mountain. Trail layout: From TR #28 the trail gradually descends to the south following the drainage of Little Yeager Canyon for most of its length. After leaving the canyon there is about a 120-foot climb to where the trail ends on FR 105. One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
