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Hiking | 6.20 Miles |
2,716 AEG |
| Hiking | 6.20 Miles | | | |
2,716 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Our Salt River rafting trip over, the Sands boys went home. I continued north to Preston country (Mazatzalia) for spring break. Park Creek was flowing nicely, so I decided on an afternoon visit to an old friend in the Mazatzals. The Park Trail gave a good workout on this warm spring day. I met a couple from Tonto Basin who frequently hike the Park Trail, and help maintain it. We exchanged pleasantries and continued on.
In the wake of the Edge Complex Fire, the off trail descent to Park Creek was much easier, and I reached the upper falls quickly. Nostalgia set in. Was it February 2001? Were the Mazatzals still my backyard? Today, yes. I carefully descended the upper falls, then set up the tripod in the creek to capture its beauty. Excitement was in the air as I reached the edge of Park Creek Falls. Wow! What a treat to be here again! And just as terrifying as I remember. I noticed the juniper tree on the lip of the abyss where I had hung over the edge on my last visit, taking photos. "Oh ####! I can't believe I did that!" I guess I'll have to do it again. Against my better judgment, I scrambled down to the tree. Adrenaline coursed through me as I stood on the precarious precipice again. The juniper served as a tripod for photos and video. A dead agave stalk was thrown into the abyss, quickly growing tiny and vanishing. Ooh! With the hour growing late, I made my trip back up the canyon. Darkness arrived, and I finished the trail by flashlight. A quick clean up, and I was off to Payson for supplies, before disappearing into Cypress Thicket for a few days. What a great day. I didn't have a care in the world.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/user/PrestonTheY ... EMdXxl6Tpc |
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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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