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| Hiking | 11.77 Miles |
2,661 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.77 Miles | 5 Hrs 48 Mns | | 2.43 mph |
| 2,661 ft AEG | 57 Mns Break | 16 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I was hoping to beat the heat, but I'm not sure this qualifies. It was 90 at the trailhead when I finished, 97 in Payson when I stopped for lunch. I knew it was going to be warm, so I slowed the pace and drank a lot of water. This turned out to be a very fun hike in spite of a warm sun.
I saw an abandoned fawn at Dripping Spring. Leaving the fawn bothered me, but there was nothing I could do for it. Later, I saw an adolescent bear on Milk Ranch Rd. I was leaving a camp site I just checked out when I stepped back onto the road. As I looked ahead, the bear emerged from the pines onto Milk Ranch road about 50 yards away, heading towards me. It was beautiful, it's coat shining in the bright sun. I paused, wondering how this was going to shake out. I didn't have to wait long, as the bear dashed back into the woods as soon as it saw me. I waited a minute, wanting to make sure the young bear's momma didn't come charging out. Nothing, so I continued on.
The hike itself was very enjoyable. The Pine Canyon trail is beautiful. I thought momentarily about skipping the loop and staying on this trail for awhile longer, then return the way I came. But I stayed the course. The trek up the East Rim trail is steep. The last section is a fun rock scramble. As noted in other triplogs, a GPS track (or map and compass) is helpful to get through the off trail section from the East Rim trail to FR9283L. I didn't mind hiking on the forest roads. Plenty of pines all around, so I just pretended it was an extra wide trail.
The descent on Donahue provides excellent views, but watch your step; the trail is pretty rocky. I tripped up a few times trying to take in the views. I was happy to see Highline. I knew the rest of the journey would be on good trail under the cover of pine. By now it was not just warm, but getting hot. I consumed most of the three liters of water I brought plus a 20oz bottle of Gatorade.
Good hike! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
