| | -
-
-
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
1 |
|
| | |
|
| Backpack | 27.00 Miles |
950 AEG |
| | Backpack | 27.00 Miles | 25 Days | | |
| 950 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Well this is the first time I could get away for a much needed trip. The weather forecast was great (lows in the 40's and highs in the 70's)and I couldn't wait to get on the trail.
I arrived late (11:00am) at the General Crook Cabin on the first day and started out on Fred Haught Trail. I met five other hikers on this trail. I ended up at Pinchot Cabin around 4:00pm. I camped at Pinchot Cabin the first night (temperature dropped to around 40). I was disappointed that a large fire ring had been built in what was a nice grassy area under some trees.
I was up early had a good breakfast (scrambled eggs with sausage and three types of bell peppers) and hit the U-Bar trail. I met two hikers on this trail (Wow! Lots of people on the trail this weekend).  I did see two elk while trucking on down the trail.
Dane Spring was flowing, a little slow from my last two trips. I wasn't sure if there would be any flowing springs after that so I loaded up on water.  I dry camped a short distance down Barbershop Trail. Wow, did it get cold! The temperature had dropped to 40 just after the sun set and fell below freezing before dawn. I had some ice in one of my water bottles when I got up, as well as frost on the rain fly of my tent. I'm glad I didn't cowboy camp that night!
Since it was Monday, I decided to take my time breaking camp  . After another great breakfast and hot chocolate I packed up and headed on down the trail. About 11:00am I had an early lunch and spread my tent, rain fly, and sleeping bag out to dry in the sun while I chowed down on some Sloppy Joe mix on Paleo crackers. After lunch I checked my eyelids for holes (I needed about 30 minutes just to make sure  ). Repacked everything and with a spring in my step I was off again. A short time later I passed yet two more people on the trail (man, I've got to do this trail in the middle of the week next time). Barbershop Spring was flowing so I didn't need to carry all the water I got from Dane Spring ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") .
I switched over to Houston Brothers Trail and was glad to see the area is recovering from the fire. Once I got to FR 300 it was a short walk (about three miles or so) back to my van. The day was great and with just the right mix of sun and cool breeze.
I was trying out a few new things this trip, here is the run down.
New tent 3F 2 person tent - Worked great!!
Hiking poles instead of a hiking staff - I'm now a convert. The bonus was I no longer had carry two poles for my tent.
The CNOC water bladder - fail. I contacted the company and they are sending me a new one.
Liner socks inside of my wool socks - fail. Ended up with a blister for the first time, back to just wool socks.
All my food was homemade freeze dried food. The Paleo crackers were the bomb! My wife and I will look into selling these.
Things that I wish I had taken on the trip.
Nothing. I had everything I needed without any dead weight.
Things that I would do differently.
Maybe a little heavier sleeping clothes, I was still warm enough even when the temperature dropped below freezing. Guess I'm just whinnying.
Get an earlier start. If I wanted the trail to myself start my hike on Wednesday. 
Over all trail conditions.
Good trails, few trees down across any of the trails, just have to keep a sharp eye out at times for the faded blazes. |
  |
Box Canyon |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | No running water, just pools. |
|
Coyote Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | | First time I've seen this spring with even a small flow of water. |
|
Dane Spring |
Gallon per minute |
Gallon per minute |
| | | This spring is slower that I've ever seen it before. It still had decent flow out of the smaller pipe. |
|
Turkey Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Not a lot of water flow, the pools near Pinchot Cabin were low. | | _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
