| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 11.40 Miles |
|
| | Hiking | 11.40 Miles | | | |
| | | |
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Once again the hard part was staging the cars - but probably because we are cautious. We were planning to park a car on Twin Buttes road (where we had already done hardscrabble) and then drive to Doll Baby. But when we turned off Fossil Creek to get there, the creek was running very high over the road and we were afraid to go across (it looked deep in one part). We looked into options (going thru Pine on 428 all the way to Twin Buttes) but decided to just park before the washed out road and just hike that extra 5 miles at the end of the hike - sigh. Then off we went to Doll Baby - with at stop at THAT Brewery for lunch first 
We had made plans to stay at LF Ranch that night and get an early start on the trail the next morning. We got to the ranch before sunset and Maryann gave us a tour and got us settled in the bunkhouse for the night. It was perfect - complete with hot running water and a real bathroom. The roosters gave us our wake up call, and we left the ranch the next morning as the peacocks were still sleeping up in the trees - guess that way the coyotes can't get them 
The Verde River was running pretty strong and cold from all the snow melt and recent rains, so even crossing at the shallow part made for a scary and cold start to our trek up the hill.Then the rocks... oh the rocks... the ankle busting rocks. Made us glad that we got that head start the day before since we were going slower than normal. We followed the cairns through areas where the "trail" fades, and overall the trail is in good shape. Lots of water along the way for any upcoming thru hikers - including all the springs and even Red Saddle Tank.
We reached Twin Buttes and prepared for the long boring road walk to the car, but got really lucky when a truck came along heading that way and we got a ride  It was the only other vehicle out there that day, and the timing was perfect. So since we got done early we stopped again at THAT Brewery for an early dinner and then went and got the car from Doll Baby before heading back home. Another nice day on the AZT. Another 218 miles to go - we will finish this year for sure. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
