| |
| Ash Creek and Webb Peak, AZ | |
|
| | Ash Creek and Webb Peak, AZ | | | |
|
|
Ash Creek and Webb Peak, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 18.75 Miles |
5,900 AEG |
| | Hiking | 18.75 Miles | 9 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.32 mph |
| 5,900 ft AEG | 1 Hour 15 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | What a Pinaleno paradise day! I got started hiking before sunrise at 5:20 am and took the gorgeous Ash Creek Trail down from pine to its desert terminus. Most people turn around at the waterfall or at Oak Flats about 4 mi into the 8 mile hike (including myself in 2012), so I was a bit nervous to venture beyond. The trail guide would lead you to think that the trail was not in great shape past Oak Flats, but it was just fine. There was a time or two I got on the wrong trail for a second, but that was quickly fixed. The only issue was that the trail gets very narrow in one or two places and the ground is none too firm.
Other than that, the hike was beautiful as you travel down the lush rain forest like Ash Creek canyon to its terminus and watch the forests and meadows fade away into desert riparian plants. There were wildflowers everywhere including at the lower elevations. It took me 2.75 hrs to travel the 8.25 mi to the end of the trail (don't ask me how...not sure myself). From there, I turned around and hiked back up the mountain. It was surprisingly pleasant in spite of the vast elevation change. The only part that was kind of miserable was the mile or so from the trail's terminus to when you reach the trees again. From there on out, it didn't feel bad at all. I reached Oak Flat within 1.5 hrs and started the steady and steep uphill from there to the waterfall. Beyond there, my pace slowed down as I made the final climb up to the Webb Peak trail and then ascended Webb Peak for its awesome panoramic views of probably a quarter of Arizona. From there, it was only a mile downhill of beautiful forest and meadow to get back to the car.
You know for climbing the equivalent of up and down Mt Lemmon in a day or 1.5 Grand Canyons, I feel pretty good! This trail has it all and was totally abandoned. Perfect for those who want one of the best workouts Arizona (or probably the whole continental US) can offer along a beautiful secluded creek. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
There were all varieties of wildflowers on the trail. Wild raspberries were all over the upper reaches of the trail. I snacked on them throughout the day. |
|
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
