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| Hiking | 11.05 Miles |
1,987 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.05 Miles | 6 Hrs 13 Mns | | 2.12 mph |
| 1,987 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Decided to Hike this trail because it was featured in the latest issue of the Arizona Magazine.
The directions were confusing to get here because only the Forest Service Road numbers were used, yet there were no (I was unable to see any) FS Signs. Also, We came in from the Seligman to the North and the directions were from the South. The directions said to go North 38 miles yet the turn off was at the 36 mile marker.
So, to clarify the directions, from the South, drive out Williamson Valley Road. At milepost 35 you will pass a ranch on the right hand side. Right after the ranch you will pass over a creek bed on an old railroad trestle style bridge. Once you cross the bridge there will be a sign for a left turn onto Walnut Creek Road. This is also known as Yavapai County Road #125.
A little down the road you will pass the Walnut Creek Center, Keep going. Shortly after that you will see a sign saying Locked gate 7 Miles ahead. This is your destination! When you arrive at the trailhead there is a parking lot with pull-thru parking.
From here you will start off on the Oaks & Willows #3 Trail. Intersecting with this trail is the Bull Springs Trail, the Happy Camp Trail #9853 and the Pine Springs Trail.
The trail starts out in a nice wooded area and follows along for a couple hundred yards until it turns left, crosses a wash and you suddenly enter high desert with grasses, prickly pear cactus and juniper trees. Not much shade until the 1 mile mark. At about 1 mile you will enter the Juniper Mesa Wilderness and follow a nice trail through the woods for about 1/2 mile. At 1/2 mile into the wilderness you will start the switchbacks that are very steep and rocky. Careful for your knees and ankles.
Climb up and up and up for the next 1/2 mile to the top of the Mesa. Along the top of the Mesa is a nice gentle walk for about 1 1/2 miles. You will pass junction for the the Happy Camp Trail #20 (takes off to the left) and shortly after you will come to the Juniper Mesa #20 trailhead (takes off to the right) At this point the trail begins a steady but gentle descent for about 700 feet. follow the trail to the end and you will come to the end of the trail where the trail meets FS Road #7. Total distance to this point is 5.5 miles. Round trip is 11 miles.
Note: I didn't have a map and later found out that if at the top of the hill had we taken Juniper Mesa Trail #20 it would have intersected with Bull Springs Trail #100 which takes you back to near the beginning of the trail.
All in all it was nice to get a hike in, but this trail was so rocky, that it made it hard to travel at a decent pace. Also hard on the knees, ankles and feet. My opinion this is a fair trail, no spectacular views or scenery. Not a lot of shade. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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