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| Hiking | 11.80 Miles |
2,300 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.80 Miles | 6 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.82 mph |
| 2,300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | We did this as an out and back from the Doll Baby TH, just with the intent to do only about 12 miles and see what's on this trail since I've never been there before. On our way, we looked for a junction with the unofficial Bullfrog Ridge "trail", which is mentioned in the Falcon book. I also have the Tonto NF topo map that shows an unmaintained travelway along BullFrog Ridge, which can be used for a lasso loop hike to connect with the Bullfrog Spring Trail and back to the Doll Baby TH. We did find some kind of jeep road in that area by a wash that looked like it goes up to Bullfrog Ridge. Later in the day I noticed what looks likes might be a jeep road that switchbacks across the north face of the ridge, although it doesn't match what's on my topo map.
The jeep road from the Doll Baby TH to LF Ranch is a good 3.6 miles before you even get to the Saddle Ridge Trail. The Saddle Ridge Trail starts just after the start of the Bullfrog Spring Trail and skirts to the east of LF Ranch down to the East Verde River. The crossing was a little tricky and we got our feet wet, but it wasn't too bad.
From the river, we made our way up to the top of the mesa, which was a pretty long slog. Once we got to the top, our AEG was only 1500', but it felt like more. The trail is very steep and there's a lot of rock. At the top we hiked about another mile and took lunch. At the top it was most short trees (pinon pine?) and prickly pears. and a lot of cow patties.
We made out way back without incident, although the weather seemed hotter than it was. the humidity this year seems to be worse that most other years I can remember. On the way back past LF Ranch we could hear a rooster crowing and saw a vehicle parked there through the trees. |
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