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| Backpack | 38.08 Miles |
1,715 AEG |
| | Backpack | 38.08 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 1,715 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | our fourth out and back of an azt passage, this time anderson mesa
kind of a stretch to call this a backpack
with high winds forecast, we didn't know how it would play out
day 1
decided to day hike the longer portion from horse lake trailhead
got going around 0645
the trail begins on a dirt road, eventually curving around horse lake
a few miles of single track through juniper, a few pines and open meadows
windy, but not as bad as we thought it might be
nice view of lake mary at one point
passed prime lake, lowell observatory and then a slight drop to marshall lake
took a break at seven miles and with seven to go
pretty enough open terrain, but even though little elevation gain, the trail was rocky and demanded attention to footing
should have been an easy long hike, but i was glad to be done with this part
drove over to ashurst lake just for fun, then back to the lower parking area off lake mary road
after a break, we hiked the little piece up to horse lake trailhead
backpacked the other direction about a mile and a half where we set up camp and cooked dinner in very windy conditions
counts as a backpack, right?
day 2
got a decent start for us after breakfast and coffee
this southern portion of the segment was very nice
good trail, a mix of pine and oak trees, a few meadows, easy grade
the old railroad bed was interesting, too
we checked out mayflower spring where we took a break
found railroad tank on the way back
packed up and out with much lighter packs
decided to drive back through payson in order to have lunch at the thai restaurant and see the bush fire damage
another good trip with john - thanks!
random thoughts:
i was pessimistic about the high wind forecast, but hiking and setting up camp were not a problem
even slept decently, although the winds never died down - didn't get that cold overnight
hauling all that water for a dry camp is not fun
we could have filtered from railroad tank
tested some gear, added a helinox zero chair, brought a little less of everything else
glad we did the less attractive and longer portion of the trail the first day |
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Horse Lake |
1-25% full |
1-25% full |
| | | you would have to go through mud to filter here |
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Prime Lake |
26-50% full |
26-50% full |
| | | a little hard to access, but there was water | | _____________________
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