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| An Old Ranch and Ancient Ruin, AZ | |
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| | An Old Ranch and Ancient Ruin, AZ | | | |
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An Old Ranch and Ancient Ruin, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.22 Miles |
2,064 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.22 Miles | 7 Hrs 17 Mns | | 2.53 mph |
| 2,064 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 27 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | A few weeks ago Tibber planned a hike for us. Was my turn this time. She'd never seen the Chalk Creek Ruins, the petroglyphs below it, or the abandoned 6L Ranch. So I planned out a fairly aggressive trip and off we (AZ Beaver, Tibber and me) went on a windy, but otherwise perfect morning.
The hike up the #4 Trail was mostly checking out the wildflowers and enjoying stretching out legs. The buckhorn, hedge hog, and prickly pear are about to really get going. The brittle bush is well past its prime. There is a scattering of other flowers and quite a few Mariposa lilies. Hit the bottom of Chalk Canyon and a pretty little gila monster paid its respects. Second this season for all of us.
Of the three, only I had been to the Chalk Ruins. I sensed a lack of enthusiasm from one of our party, but soon she was pointing out pottery shards to Tibber. The rooms are plentiful a couple are very interesting. We munched on the plentiful wild wolfberries and enjoyed the views and speculations on the folks that once lived here.
After the ruins, we worked north and visited the sight of a plane crash dating back to the 1950s. From there we took a little used trail down to the site of the old 6L Ranch with the intent of resting and having a light lunch. By now the wind had died and the gnats had risen, so much that the ladies suggested we find another place. We took a brief time looking over what's left of the ranch and headed south, finding an open space with some breeze, and thus fewer gnats, by the creek. We took lunch there.
The old Ford is still where I last saw it. The petroglyphs are still carved into stone below the ruins and I seem to find a new panel with every visit. Tibber seemed to enjoy our stop there.
Kept heading south and took the Metate Trail with its shade the rest of the way in to the Spur Cross Trailhead. We had all brought cold brews for the post hike. Some very refreshing iced down towels magically appeared.
Starving, we headed over to Big Earls for burgers and cold drinks.
Was a good day with good people on some good trails. Everyone seemed pleased enough with what we had seen and how it had all gone. And for me, that was plenty good enough. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
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