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| Ryal Canyon - Tompkins - Lucky Canyon, AZ | |
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| | Ryal Canyon - Tompkins - Lucky Canyon, AZ | | | |
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Ryal Canyon - Tompkins - Lucky Canyon, AZ
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| Hiking | 15.05 Miles |
3,541 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.05 Miles | 8 Hrs 35 Mns | | 2.02 mph |
| 3,541 ft AEG | 1 Hour 7 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Bruce suggested this a month or so ago. I was semi-eager to check it out because the Black Hills have been on my to-do list for a few years.
Ryal Canyon Trail #521
0.75-mi/500 ft up this trail at sunrise offers remarkable views. It would be too hot for most in warm weather as there is little shade and it's a steady ascent all the way. The Ryal Water vicinity is a mini slice of heaven for the area.
Box T Trail #511
This was the ticket to make the upper end of the loop work. My expectations were ready for total blah. It was neither memorable nor undesirable. Being a pleasant day, it was enjoyable. Signage may not last but there was weathered signage in our 3.6-mi middle stretch of this trail.
Tomkins Trail #513
The upper end has "nice" distance views. The highlight is 0.5-1.5, magnificent views of the Mogollon Rim with Sedona and Humphreys Peak. Unfortunately, the steepest segment is a half-mile of a river of ankle busters. A half-dozen ~10ft 2x4's sandwiching a foot wide sheet of rubber perplexed at first. When the grade and river of rocks eased up a bit, they were functioning waterbars/treadbars? instead of tossed to the side.
Lucky Canyon
We utilized the essence of Lucky Canyon Trail #515 to close the loop. There was a hint of the tread to begin but even that doesn't agree with FS Topo. For the most part, it was moderate-easy descending the canyon with minimal unfriendly vegetation.
Flora expert Bruce identified aspen below 4,000 feet. The bark was white-ish but with the grooved texture of cottonwoods. With tamarisk and prickly pear cactus nearby, I cracked jokes until even I got annoyed.
Limestone Soil Glissade back to square one.
We slid down a game trail created by nature into an unnamed tributary that quickly reaches the Verde River. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
2+ weeks past prime for the Ryal Water vicinity, just one species of bush turning colors now. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Spring lingers on or is upon us, take your pick. Very isolated but healthy Asteraceae. |
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