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| Hiking | 7.50 Miles |
1,677 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.50 Miles | 4 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.67 mph |
| 1,677 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The upper end of this track branches off the Escudilla Trail about a mile shy of the lookout and is clearly marked. The lower end resides in remote woods and is accessible via a route somewhat inaccurately described on the Apache National Forest website. ANF says start at the barricaded entrance to a wildlife habitat area about 1.6 miles up FR 56 (the Terry Flat road) from Highway 191. They don't mention a second entrance, the correct one, about .7 mile farther along, We started at the former, the one nearest the turnoff to Hulsey Lake. From the correct starting point, ANF's trail log distances are dubious, but the route is fairly clear anyway. We wandererd around, through really lovely country, for an hour or more before happening on the real route. The trail is little used, with some minor deadfall, but in good shape considering it is unmaintained. ANF's description mentions "excellent views off to the west", but we didn't seen them. This trail traverses heavy timber, and the best long views are up, toward the lookout.
Light rain fell off and on as we returned, becoming an actual summer shower as soon as we reached our car. While we enjoyed the monsoon teaser, forty miles south lightning struck a tree and started the Chitty Fire.
Anyone hiking Escudilla should consider including the Government Trail in a loop route that would also involve walking a couple miles along FR 56. |
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