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| Backpack | 16.00 Miles |
3,100 AEG |
| | Backpack | 16.00 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 3,100 ft AEG | | 45 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Since I'm still Training for a Utah Trip, figured I would get one more Trip in. Since my body is already Oxygen Deprived, I figured I'd really give it something to complain about...  I'm somewhat surprised, the elevation didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.  First time on any portion of the Highline, except for the small portion that I did when I did the Derrick/Horton Loop. Now I want to see the whole thing!!! 
DAY 1
Hwy 260 TH to See Canyon TH.
Brian (BEEBEE) was going to do this with me, but circumstances came up that prevented it. He was still game to do a Day Hike on Tuesday so he offered to go ahead and provide the needed Shuttle so I didn't have to make a Loop out of it to get back to the Escape. Thanks Brian!!! So he joined me for a portion of the first leg after I dropped my vehicle at the Hatchery. This was a nice section. Kind of a Mini Rollercoaster Ride, but the Trail was in really good shape and smooth in most spots. This was really nice as I made good time even with a heavy pack. Brian set a turn-around time and even with a couple of short breaks, we made 5 miles in 3 hours...Took a break, then Brian headed back to his car and I continued on...
Got to See Canyon about an hour later and just for a moment, thought about continuing and getting some of the 2nd Day harder section out of the way. But Christopher Creek beckoned and the thought of spending the night alongside it's banks was too powerful to resist, especially since I pretty much had the place to myself... I got Camp set up next to the Creek, talked to a Fisherman who was disappointed not to even see any Fish, took some Photos and had lunch. Basically just messed around and relaxed...Had to slather with Insect Repellent, which didn't help much as it wasn't the Mosquitos that were getting me, but the Black Flies and Deer Flies...  Later on, I had some dinner and then spent some time at the Creek until dark, playing with the Camera...
The Fisherman had mentioned that he had seen some fresh Bear Scat about 100 yards from my Camp, and warned me, but stated that I looked like I knew what I was doing...  Ooookkkk...I guess I have everyone fooled... As it turns out, if a Bear had walked up and sniffed me in the ear, I probably still wouldn't have awakened. Probably one of the best nights I've ever had sleeping outdoors. Between the soft bed of Pine Needles, the sound of the Creek and the wind through the Pines, I was out!!!
DAY 2
See Canyon to Horton Creek
Woke up, had breakfast, packed up and headed out, knowing that at least for me, this would be a tough day. At around 7 miles, but with roughly 2000 feet of AEG, I was in for a trek. The saving grace is that it's not all at once. If the first day was a Mini Rollercoaster, then today I jumped on the Big Coaster... And part of the "up" starts right out of the gate...Good Morning!!! Fortunately the Trail is in pretty good shape and you can tell there's been some work on it this Spring. There is still some deadfall across the Trail but it was only nearly a big issue once. It was a hat day and I almost pulled a Preston and tried to head butt a tree that was forehead high. I hate wearing a hat!!!! ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Stillernator wrote in one of his Triplogs on this section that it seemed like you should hit the Derrick Intersection long before you do. That it seemed to take forever. I concur!!! You think you're close, but nope, not even around the next corner, more like one more Canyon over... Sheesh!!! Finally got there!!! Now I'm on somewhat familiar ground, having done this part before, and I'm determined to make it to Horton Creek so I can spend another night along a Creek! Somehow, this section seemed faster than when I did it before, maybe because I was familiar??? I don't know, but I ended up at Horton sooner than I thought I would... I was pretty done when I got there, but I still had some daylight left, so I felt really good about that!!!
Got Camp set up, ate some dinner and then yep, you guessed it, went and took some more pictures until dark...  I had this place completely to myself, never saw another soul all day!!!  Didn't sleep very well this night, even though the sound of the Creek was very soothing and the Breeze was making the Pines sigh...That changed during the night however...The sounds of the Creek were soon drowned out when the Breeze turned into an all out gale...Shades of JF Trail, only this time I'm under a bunch of big Trees!  My poor Bivy took a beating, as the Wind tore Pine Cones and debris from the Trees, pelting me the rest of the night... My legs were also rebelling most of the night from the hard day and for once Ibuprofen was not quieting them down...  It turned out to be a tough night for sleep... 
DAY 3
Horton Creek to Hatchery TH
Finally fell asleep about 2:00 A.M. and slept until 7:30. This was supposed to be an easy day, so I wasn't in any kind of hurry this morning. The Wind was still gusting quite badly at times and it was COLD! So glad I took my jacket with, and I actually ended up putting my Hiking Gloves on for about 1/2 hour...Dang!!! Skipped Breakfast and ended up packing up Camp in a little bit of a hurry, since apparently the Trees were giving in to the Wind a bit more this morning. Instead of just shedding Pine Cones and Needles, now I had BRANCHES coming down... Time to BAIL!!!
Hiked back up to the Trail and filtered some Water up there and then took off for the Hatchery...Of course, you go "up" right away.... But it soon leveled out and I was back on a Mini Rollercoaster ride...
As it turned out, this section actually turned out to be the most difficult and the "miles" took the longest. Seems weird, but the Trail wasn't in as nice of shape as the previous two sections and I had some Route Finding issues in about 3 places. And it appears that every downhill was literally "paved" with solid ankle busting rocks making for extremely slow going... It didn't help that my legs were quickly becoming shot from the day before...
This portion of Trail could use just a few more markers and cairns for us fools that don't use a GPS...At least three pretty confusing spots. I actually had Cell Service and called Brian for clarification on one of them...  I hate that!!! The 2nd time, I guessed...(correctly) and the third time, I got off Trail for a couple of hundred feet up to the top of a Hill and realized that I was wrong and got back on what turned out to be the right track... Took a couple of breaks, had a snack on one, and enjoyed a little portion of Dick Williams Creek on the other one. There is a really nice Meadow just before Dick Williams that I also enjoyed seeing and made good time through...Finally got to Tonto Creek and hoped my balancing act was a good one, as you walk a long log to get across and if you slip, you'll be at least thigh deep in a pool after a 3 foot fall... And then I was at the vehicle!!! Yay!!! I was pretty done... Between aching legs and feet, rocky trail and gusty winds all day, I was ready for it to be over...But no...Not yet...
Collapsed for a few and then being a glutton for punishment, I decided that as long as I was here, I would check out the Hatchery...Never been to one before and this was a good opportunity!  So hauled my weary  uphill one more time and checked it out! Pretty cool. Talked to a worker and found out that they mostly raise Rainbow at this Hatchery and that that was all they had right now. It was neat to finally see it!!!
After I got done there, I hauled butt to Payson and had a big, fat Cheeseburger and then hit the road for home. It was a good Trip. It was one helluva workout, with awesome views, incredible campsites and photo ops galore...Lots of Photos taken...I made sure I took the time, it was just too nice not to...Lots of Birds to practice my skills on and got to do some other experimenting with the Camera on the Water shots...Took over 150 usable pictures, but I won't slam you with them, just the highlights. I eventually put them all up on my FB page...Was a little disappointed that I didn't see any Wildlife other than Birds and Lizards on this Trip...Not even a Squirrel... Next time... Pretty much decided that I really like this Trail and hope to do it all someday, but at my speed I can pretty much guarantee it won't all be at once... Only 35 miles to go...
Note on the Water...Besides the Reports, there was also Water still trickling in some of the Side Canyons, especially during the first two sections.... |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Lupines are blooming. Lots of little petite Blooms. |
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Horton Creek |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| | | @Intersection with Highline Trail. | | _____________________
| Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!" |
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