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| Thumb Butte - Potts Creek to West Spruce, AZ | |
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| | Thumb Butte - Potts Creek to West Spruce, AZ | | | |
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Thumb Butte - Potts Creek to West Spruce, AZ
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| Hiking | 17.03 Miles |
3,220 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.03 Miles | 7 Hrs 53 Mns | | 2.61 mph |
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| 3,220 ft AEG | 1 Hour 22 Mns Break | | |
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| partners | | Bruce put together this loop with a couple options. Only 3 hikers heading up Thumb Butte. Which seemed extremely light for 7:30 am on a very nice April Saturday morning.
Butte Creek was running light. Which apparently starts down in the neighborhood. Potts Creek Trail #327 zigs around following Butte Creek for a good stretch but no named place on topo that I could figure out for the name Potts. Fabulous hike through the pines.
Then on an FS road before what the FS declares as Sierra Prieta Trail #366. Not sure but looks like the intriguing detailed guide Preston wrote from a book reference is outdated or the book never had a firm grip on it.
The short FS designated #366 is pretty sweet. We took a break at my request. Lots of mtn bikers out riding this segment. Nearly all acknowledged us and kept us informed of pack traffic. No race #s so maybe practicing for the end of month Whiskey 50 Mountain Bike Race?
Sierra Prieta Overlook wasn't a refueling/aid station either. Graffiti central is covered up. After a short peek of the views we continued on FS373 just under a half mile.
Turned onto West Spruce Trail #264. Hiked the subtle rollercoaster with another granted break request. Then over to the base of West Spruce Mountain for lunch. The energy infused eagle darted up to the peak while I enjoyed a nice break. Several friendly ATV riders went through the gate below my perch.
Just 2 hikers on #264 heading back. Passing a large ant hill I almost gave the colony some of my water. As we all know ants don't have lungs. They may have wicked some up but figured I best not interfere. Lessons learned from a failed ant farm in '79... enough said.
The hike down Miller Creek proper was cool. A trail. Semi primitive to the surrounding network of Thumb Butte area trails. Passing numbered dispersed camping sites The_Angel_Eagle lent his phone to a camper that couldn't get a T-Mobile signal.
Finished out along old familiar favs to wrap up the outstanding mid sixties gift of temps throughout the hike. |
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