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| Hiking | 5.72 Miles |
1,275 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.72 Miles | 3 Hrs 17 Mns | | 2.37 mph |
| 1,275 ft AEG | 52 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | After finishing the Hackberry Spring Loop via Garden Valley and having lunch at First Water TH, I was glad to still have the energy/desire to do this hike as well. I had heard there were wildflowers up this way so was hoping to see some of those.
I started the hike and after crossing the wash and climbing the little hill, I wasn't sure if I had rolled my windows back up so I went back to Tonto to make sure and I had. You know how that kind of stuff bugs you when you're hiking and I didn't want anything to detract me from my next couple hours of FUN!
The hike was rewarding right off the bat as the desert floor was green and the views thru the saguaros and past the desert flora to Sugarloaf, the Mazzies and Four Peaks were simply outstanding  . This first mile is really a wonderfull mile.
I made the turn to the south; took some photos of those incredible chollas before heading up the hill on the east side of the pointy mountain. The hill on the other side is much easier. As I hiked another 3/4 mile or so I thot I would be heading east up the next hill but not quite yet. Eventually I got there and up the hill you go to that one flat area for a little while before hitting that next hill up toward Massacre Grounds.
As I made my way higher and higher and past the two points I had previously been to I ran into hikers that said the falls were flowing. Really?! Whoo hoo. I was initially just going to be satisfied with getting to the falls on my third try. I had wondered if I would ever get to time it so that I could see the flowing falls. I felt so LUCKY  ! and needless to say, I got a lilt in my step as I climbed to the high point before you head west. And of course, the views past First Water and to the 4 Peaks continued to distract me as well. It was real pretty up here plus you get to hike on bedrock.
I could see the Falls flowing. They seemed so far away and from here, it seemed like it would be quite the chore to get to the base of the Falls but it wasn't. Before you knew it, there I was... staring at that beautiful water falling over the edge in a nice spray. I told the gentleman at the falls that this is a rare treat to see the water flowing. He told his companion and they seemed quite pleased.
On the other hand, there was another gent there taking photos and when I remarked what a pretty sound the falls were making as they dropped in the pond he said, "It's just a waterfall"  . Really took the love out of my moment of enjoying the chime-like sound the water was making due to the wind shifting it around. Such a nice guy (imagine icon with a face sticking out a tongue; ok, well my face sticking out my tongue  ). Anyway, I hung around for a bit shooting every possible angle  as well as lots of movies. Oh I was a happy, happy hiker today.
And so it was time to leave and enjoy my hike back down to the Trailhead. I would encounter a few folks from time to time. As I got closer to the end, a lady commented about my swiftness but I told her this was my second hike of the day and I was ready to get to the barn. She asked where I had gone first so I told her about my wonderful day at Hackberry Spring. She put it on her agenda. And though there were little wildflowers to be seen the flowing waterfall  made up for it in every way.
Here is the video:
Part 1 - Crosscut TH to flowing Massacre Falls and some great "snow" views
http://youtu.be/kAPMcAJRcJ0?hd=1
Part 2 - flowing Massacre Falls and back to Crosscut TH
http://youtu.be/PLinXKXJQoI?hd=1 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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