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| Webber Turkey Spring Loop, AZ | | -
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| | Webber Turkey Spring Loop, AZ | | | |
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Webber Turkey Spring Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 13.41 Miles |
2,619 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.41 Miles | 7 Hrs 13 Mns | | 2.43 mph |
| 2,619 ft AEG | 1 Hour 42 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | After a month of not hiking I decided to head up to Payson for a couple days. Heading up there on Labor day turned out to be a good idea, Started out of Tucson at 0500, there was no traffic coming out of Phoenix and the drive to the trail head at Webber Creek was also fairly easy, with the exception of a few crazies that think the control Road is a place to see how fast their off road vehicles can take that road. Got a late start at 0900. Amazingly the two days of hiking here I did not see one other person on the trail.
Started out on the Highline Trail and after .25 miles turned on to the Geronimo Trail, which is actually just an old road for the most part. The fun began at the West Webber Trail. I would really of preferred to do this a bit earlier because by 1000 it was getting a little warm and humid for this ascent. This trail was in good condition but it is steep. After a few standing breaks I finally made it to the top. The walk along Milk Ranch Road to the Turkey Spring trail was easy going after the climb up but due to the lack of shade it was hot. Dickenson Flat Tank had a bit of water in it but didn't look too appetizing. The grass growing around it in the meadow looked like it was just freshly mowed. Do they still run cattle up here or is this just deer and elk?
I thought that at the Turkey Spring Trail Head it would be all downhill but there is a small hill to climb up first. It isn't much of a hill but it is up none the less and when your expecting down it was kind of frustrating. Funny how when you're hot and tired how you can make a mountain out of a molehill. I took my lunch break just over the hill, didn't want to start out on an uphill plus there was a slight breeze there. Had a Subway Italian BMT for lunch and I am still amazed how much better those are when you are hiking, beats the heck out of that healthy hiking trail stuff I usually have. Started down the Turkey Spring Trail refreshed and ready to go. This trail is a lot more exposed to the sun due to the lack of trees on the upper end but it was downhill so it was tolerable. The views to the north of the Mogollon rim were spectacular along this trail. I even spotted the rock up on the rim to the north that me and my wife spent some time on years ago with all of the Payson area laid out in front of us. Good memories. This is another nice trail and I would definitely rather go up the West Webber and down this one. The west Webber does a lot more switchbacks so the grade is milder and there is more canopy to shield the sun.
I still had time when I got back to the Geronimo Trail so I took it east to Webber Creek. This was kind of a ho hum trail along an old road for the most part. The last .1 miles to the creek was a trail. There was a trail that I noticed every so often that seemed to be paralleling the road, I believe this trail starts at the Campground in Webber Canyon Campground. I will have to check this out on another trip. Made it to Webber creek refilled my canteen and headed back. I had plans to hike further up the East Webber Creek Trail but time was running out. Should of left Tucson at 0300 like I originally planned. The East Webber Creek Trail looks like it is an actual Trail.
Got back to Payson about 1700 and boy what a zoo. Traffic on the 260 was backed up for miles making the turn onto 87 south to Phoenix. Lucky for me I was heading East on the 260 so there was no traffic issues. The trick is to know what everybody is doing and do the opposite. Felt good to get out hiking again after a month of idleness. The last month I have been dealing with SS and medicare. working with them is like pushing a chain up the Turkey Spring Trail. I had two days where I barely thought about them. |
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