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2016-08-13  
Highland Trail Loop, AZ
mini location map2016-08-13
51 by photographer avatartobybaum
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Highland Trail Loop, AZ 
Highland Trail Loop, AZ
 
 Hiking21.10 Miles 3,734 AEG
 Hiking21.10 Miles   6 Hrs      3.52 mph
3,734 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
I had a long run to do and, given that it is August, running on the Rim seemed better than in Phoenix! I started at 6:30am, hoping to catch some cool temps before the sun got too high. I began on the Derrick Trail, #33 from the Horton Creek Trailhead parking lot (just across the small bridge). Derrick Trail is a slow, but steady climb through some great forested sections. Reaching the Highline Trail (#31), I turned right and followed the Highline to the junction with See Canyon Trail #184. This section of the Highline was amazing, with some sweeping views and shaded areas. From the junction, I headed up 184 all the way to the Forest Road 300 (The Rim Road) with the mile or so detour to the See Canyon Spring, a very worthwhile side-trip. The frog picture was from this offshoot! On the Rim, I turned left until reaching Horton Springs Trail #292. Until this point, my route has been super easy to follow, but be forewarned: route finding on 292 is tough! Merely locating the actual trail off the rim took about 20-30 minutes of wandering around using a topo map. From there, even descending required multiple stops to search for the trail, another cairn, or some logical/safe path. In addition to route finding, the descent on 292 is steep, rocky, and drastically overgrown. After #292, I took Horton Creek Trail #285 back to my car. #285 is generally extremely pleasant and shaded. Only sections the last mile or so (for me; or the first from the trailhead) were exposed and sunny. All in all, a great loop and something I'll def do again!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
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tobybaum's
1 Photoset

  2016-08-13
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