| |
| Drew Highline General Crook Loop, AZ | |
|
| | Drew Highline General Crook Loop, AZ | | | |
|
|
Drew Highline General Crook Loop, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 16.70 Miles |
2,267 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.70 Miles | 8 Hrs 24 Mns | | 2.33 mph |
| 2,267 ft AEG | 1 Hour 14 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | | Day two started on the rim at the Drew Trail Head. This is actually a very nice trail to get from the Highline Trail to the rim. The trail is easy to follow and is a steady gradual climb. Probably the easiest way to the rim from the Highline Trail. This is a little deceiving because while it is only 800 feet in 1 mile from the Highline, in order to get to this point you have to start in Christopher Creek which is 700 feet below which makes this route 1500 feet in about 3 miles. Once down on the Highline trail I headed west for about a mile to connect up with where I stopped on yesterdays hike. From Christopher Creek to the Rim is a steady climb and could be done with out taking breather breaks like on some of the other Highline to Rim Trails. I'm rating this as the easiest way to the Rim. From here I headed east along the Highline, past the Drew Trail and on to the Two Sixty trail Head and the end of the Highline Trail. Very easy walking along this portion of the Highline without major elevation changes as you cross over side streams coming off the rim as is common along other portions of the Highline. Great views when you get to a clearing where the trees don't block your view. There is a constant reminder that Highway 260 is near by because you can hear the traffic as you get nearer to the two Sixty Trail Head. This is also true along the Military Sink Hole Trail. From the Two Sixty Trail Head I headed up the Military Sink Hole Trail. This trail seemed hard, maybe because I thought it would be easy. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow but it is a steady climb with a short level section through a very scenic forest with old growth trees. Of the four days I was out the only people I saw were along this trail, a group of 4 then two groups of 2 and a whole heard of Japanese (to many to count). This is another one of those trails that you think you are on top but as you get closer you can see another rise that must be climbed. Once on top though there is a great view point from the parking lot at the trail head. From the rim I continued on to the General Crook Trail passing through the Military Sink Hole where I took a lunch break. This was a good spot to break for lunch because it was a bit windy and being my clothes were wet I was a bit cold in the wind and the sink hole was a wind free zone. All I needed now was for the Geosynchronous cloud to move a bit and let the sun shine in (Ironically when I was hiking up the hill I was hoping for the clouds to give a little shade but they didn't cooperate). Continued on the Military Sink Hole Trail to the General Crook trail and followed that back to the Drew trail. The General Crook Trail is not really much of a trail, at least the first 2.5 miles, you just have to follow along what looks like an old road keeping an eye out for the metal "V" markers on the trees. Not hard to follow only got a bit confused twice but my GPS filled in the gaps. You can actually see evidence of the old road, slightly raised berms, rocks along the side of what use to be the road. I don't suppose too many of the trees that were growing back in 1880's are there any more because none of the trees were that old except a few of the Oak Trees. They had done some logging in the last year or two along the rim road Thinning out the forest to reduce fire risks but amazingly they didn't seem to obliterate the remains of the General Crook Trail. They were currently logging north of Promontory Mesa when I was there yesterday. Very interesting trail, I will have to come back another day to finish up another section of the General Crook Trail. I continued on along this trail past the junction with the Drew Trail until my GPS said 16 miles and I said enough and returned to the Drew trail junction and finally the Drew Trail Head on the rim. Great day great hike, now it's time to head into Payson for some Mexican Food. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
