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| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
1,757 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | 2 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.00 mph |
| 1,757 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | A hot day in Payson (112 degrees forecast for Phoenix), and it was hot at the trailhead too. I sat in my truck with the AC on high as I put on my hiking boots. With five nalgenes of ice water in my pack, I started up the trail. Only saw one person, and he was out to photograph reptiles. It was nice to get to the top of the switchbacks and find some shade around the corner. There were a lot of dead douglas fir trees up there. I know this was the edge of the Willow Fire, but many of these trees weren't burned (disease or bark beetle?). Just after crossing the Mazatzal Wilderness line I came across a cairn, and decided to head up to the top of Mt. Peeley there. It was a short easy climb up to the top from the Mazatzal Divide Trail. On top, I saw millions of clumps of hedgehog cacti, ladybugs, and a few hummingbirds drinking from the flowers of some succulent plants. The temperature was pleasant, with a nice breeze blowing. After exploring the top, I hiked backed down, and took a side trip further west on the Mazatzal Divide Trail. I hiked until I ran out of time, and got back to the trailhead about dark. I drove home with the AC on high.  |
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| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
