| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 7.50 Miles |
1,800 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.50 Miles | | | |
| 1,800 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | The Sands family hike-athon continued on Monday. With a forecasted high of 95 in Prescott, I knew it was going to be hot!!! My dad, my uncle Bill, my brother Ryan, and I headed into the Bradshaws. Ryan, who had recently received his learner's permit, was faced with passing both a propane tanker truck and an 18 wheeler tractor trailer on the steep, one lane Senator Highway. He succeeds.
A bit later, we locate the trailhead, park, and begin the short hike along FR 70 to the E Cross L Trailhead. It is quite warm, and humid. We descend into the scenic confines of Ash Creek Canyon through a forest of ponderosa and gambel oak, spotting a few deer along the way. Soon the lush character of the creek bottom begins to show. Huge thickets of healthy lupines and columbines carpet the creek bed, which itself has a gentle flow of water and a few little pools. Very pretty! I dunk my shirt in the creek to cool off, and we break for lunch in the shade of ponderosas. Continuing on, we pass an old bathtub. We sit inside it for a photo op. The trail reaches the end of the Ash Creek stretch near an old barn, which we stop to investigate. It's hot now, at 90+ degrees, and we begin a 1000 foot, mostly shadeless climb to a saddle on Ash Creek Ridge, where the unmarked Venezia Trail joins the E Cross L.
From the saddle, we decide to follow Ash Creek Ridge back to our car, following the steep and rough route of Forest Road 70 (which no longer connects with the saddle, as the Forest Service blocked the lower end of the road with bulldozer mounds). The temps ease up on Ash Creek Ridge, and we enjoy fine views of the eastern and southern Bradshaws from breaks in the forest. We pass plenty of bluish tinged white firs as we approach our car in the soft, late afternoon light. Back in Prescott, I buy us a round of Gatorades.
Our hike was tough due to the July heat, but all in all, it was a great hike on a very scenic and well maintained trail. I'll likely do it again. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
|
|
| _____________________
| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
