| | -
-
-
-
| 2 labels |  |
|
|
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 9.74 Miles |
2,458 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.74 Miles | 4 Hrs 3 Mns | | 2.56 mph |
| 2,458 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | This was only my second time to this area. I passed through the area in the spring during my thru hike of a chunk of the AZT. However, I did not take the nicely maintained Thicket Spring Trail and official route of the AZT, rather I completed the more rugged Cornucopia Trail. Despite not enjoying Cornucopia, I remembered liking the McFarland Spring area and since then I have been meaning to come back. Therefore, I was happy to find this hike idea and description. It was a perfect way to visit McFadden, hike the nicer Thicket Spring Trail and knock off a hike on the Mazzy's area hike list.
The AZT leg of this loop is in pretty good condition and I really liked the Thicket Spring portion. There was actually a moderate amount of water along this stretch and that did the dogs well. The last mile into the McFarland area was really nice as well, with a small dash of some fall colors, cool shade and solitude. After a quick break at the campsite near the dry McFarland Spring, we resumed the loop. That area is very nice and I think it would make a great overnight destination when it is cooler and there is more water in the area. The Cornucopia portion of the loop is pretty nasty, as it is being reclaimed by post fire growth and erosion and I don't think most will enjoy its ruggedness. Rather I think most would enjoy an out and back utilizing Thicket Spring Trail the entire way. This would make it just over a ten mile hike.
Tons of hunters in the area, along the roads and at the trailhead, but it did not impact me any. I talked to a few heading in, as I was finishing up, but other than that only ran into one other hiker along Cornucopia interestingly enough. Nice little loop, probably won't go out of my way to do Cornucopia for a third time, but the hike into McFarland from the trailhead is great. |
|
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
|
|
  |
Thicket Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| |  Small puddles in wash at location of spring on topo...for thru hikers there are some modest deep puddles about one mile down Thicket Spring Trail from Thicket Spring..much better filtering options | | _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
