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Diann and I went on a hike Thursday, Aug 28th, to Horton Creek Trail in Tonto forest. This was Diann's second time there, my first. We had a wonderful time hiking up to the spring's area. It's 4 miles one way with beautiful foliage, the rush of the water from the creek, butterfies and the smell of the tall pine trees. Near to Heaven, well almost! Read on!

We sat for a bit admiring the spring and creek then decided to head down. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to go up. On the way down we started talking about religion in general. Just small talk when all of a sudden a bolt of lightening hit just behind me! I "saw the light" and Diann hung on to her staff aka walking stick for dear life. We were both stunned by how close it struck and then within a short time the deafening sound of thunder roared. We looked at each other and took off like spooked horses!! I never decended so fast in my life!

We joked that rather then "just talking" about religion we "found" religion fast!!! We ended up doing the hike much faster, we came down in 2/3rds the time or less! By this time, we didn't worry about time! Other than how short our time on Earth might be!!

I told Diann that I think God was just giving me more incentive to push myself to walk ummm actually JOG faster. Yes I JOGGED. (please note this HikerinGilbert)

We laugh at it now but it really was a close encounter! Talk about seeing the light! Not what we had in mind!

We had a great time inspite of the scare. It's a beautiful hike.

Sherileeaz :A2:

I figure if He sends a bolt of lightening for you its pretty much your time.

Just a useless fact, that actually comes in a little handy if you want to know how far away the lightning is, every 5 second difference in the flash and the crash is about a mile.

Daryl wrote:Just a useless fact, that actually comes in a little handy if you want to know how far away the lightning is, every 5 second difference in the flash and the crash is about a mile.

Thank you for that info. I'm waiting to see what Diann has to say about that. As for me, I'm kind of laughing since there wasn't even a second it seemed. But Diann saw it hit the ground behind me so she can shed some "light" on the subject too!

sherileeaz

About 3 years ago, an avid hiker friend and her significant other and another couple were hiking on the Highline Trail on a relatoively clear day in August and got caught in a lightning storm. She was stunned and has continuing nerve problems and sadly, her other did not survive. These were seasoned hikers. it's hard to predict anything during the monsoon season, especially at elevation. Scarey stuff.

I recently purchased a book on 100 Classic Hikes in Arizona and in there it mentions that this area gets the most lightening strikes in the Nation. I believe it. With each hike I'm on, I am learning something new about safety. With this hike, it was lightening. It's never to be taken "light-ly", pun intended ;)

Sherileeaz

In response to sherileeaz's reply:

I don't think I've ever hiked Horton during the monsoon and NOT heard thunder in the afternoon, including today. (Did a short hike with the goats and my dad, not all the way.)

Lovely creek, one of my favorites. A tip to get away from the crowds: stay down by the water. The old road is easier hiking, but it can feel like Squaw Peak during rush hour on a weekend.

Leva

Did you check out the area donwstream from the parking lot ?

Nighthiker wrote:Did you check out the area donwstream from the parking lot ?

No, but I will next time I'm there.


Sherileeaz