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| Hiking | 13.10 Miles |
2,300 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.46 mph |
| 2,300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Parts of this trail - the 260 trail to the Rim, the Rim Vista Trail and the Drew Canyon Trail - rate 4 stars. Parts of this trail - the connector through the forest to Drew Canyon and the Highline trail coming into the 260 TH rate 3 stars. My rating would be 3.6 but I'm rounding to 4 and including this qualifier for my rating.
The turn to the TH is on the left just past Milepost 278. It was well marked. This is about 3.6 miles from the Christopher Creek Second Loop that Joe references in his description. If you start slowing after 1 mile like GPSJoe recommends, you'll have some irate motorists behind you.
Very pleasant ascent from the TH to the Rim. Lots of Lupine and NM Locust (Robinia neomexicana) in bloom. I went out a little way on the Military Sinkhole trail, but not sure what I was looking for and not sure what the rest of this hike would be like, I did not go all the way to the Sinkhole. That will have to wait.
The Rim Vista trail is very nice and the views are breathtaking. There were some runners and some tourists. It was the only section with other people.
At the end of the Rim Vista trail at about 4.1 miles, I came to a junction. I followed the Blue Diamond markers on the trees but that took me to the north to a campground. Next time I would take the left turn. Now that I know the trail, I know you really can't go wrong as long as you keep heading west staying north of the Rim and south of the Road until you hit FR9350. I followed FR300 staying about 50 - 100 yds south in the forest. I found two graves, one marked 1994 and one unmarked that looked like an old cowbow grave. Not good omens when you're alone & don't know an area.  As long as there ain't no banjo playin', I'm ok. I got to the FR9350 junction and went through this campground to the Drew Canyon TH.
Found the junction - the sign was on the ground - but kept going a ways on the Highline Trail down the drainage to the right heading to Christopher Creek. Very nice area. Came back and took the Highline into the 260 TH. Some Lupine and Paintbrush in bloom. On many parts of this section of the Highline Trail you hear the dull roar of Hwy 260 to the south. So it doesn't have the solitude that I like in a hike.
I enjoyed this hike and I'm glad I hiked it. Repeating it is not high on my priorities. It might be fun to hike when the monsoons are firing up over the Hellsgate wilderness. Could be some good photo opportunities. It was a little hazy today with some prescribed burns in the south. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
