Garden Valley Loop Photoset • AZLumberjack • 2016-12-27 • HikeArizona.COM

Garden Valley Loop, AZ

	2016-12-27
	4 by AZLumberjack

Garden Valley Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Garden Valley Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	5.25 Miles	660 AEG

Hiking	5.25 Miles	2 Hrs 26 Mns	2.16 mph
	660 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Dutchman Trail #104

Second Water Trail #236

Partners

none

no partners

Arrived at First Water TH around 0615 to only a couple of cars in the parking lot. The chilly pre-dawn was quiet and the rains from the Christmas weekend was bringing out the green colors of the desert. I had the trails all to myself and made it to Garden Valley before the sun rose over the ridge of Black Mesa. I had been wondering if there was going to be mud along the trails and before long I ran into a big puddle in the middle of the trail. Even though I gave it a wide berth, I still picked up clods of the clay-infused mud clinging to my boots ](*,)

Once the sun came up, the temps rose steadily and soon it was time to shed the outer layer. The rest of the trail was mud-free, no water in First Water Creek at Second Water trail crossing but large pools exist at the old corral. Another rainy weekend is predicted which should bring some flow to the creeks and washes. When I got back to the parking lot, it was now almost full, glad I left early to enjoy the quiet

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
Bits of color along the trails.

	First Water Creek at Second Water Trail #236	Dry	Dry
	No water, no pools...

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On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

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