Butterfly Trail Loop Photoset • markthurman53 • 2022-04-27 • HikeArizona.COM

Butterfly Trail Loop, AZ

	2022-04-27
	22 by markthurman53

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Butterfly Trail Loop, AZ

Hiking	11.07 Miles	2,821 AEG

Hiking	11.07 Miles	6 Hrs 37 Mns	1.79 mph
	2,821 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Mount Bigelow Trail

Butterfly Trail #16 - Catalina

Partners

partners

mamakatt22

I have not been on the Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon for a few years and thought we would try it post fire. This trail has changed quite a bit since the early 70’s, The thick old growth forest has given way to panoramic views to the east and north of Mount Lemmon. Still a scenic hike though. I always thought this was one of those leisurely hikes but once again I was reminded this trail has a lot of elevation gain, especially if you add the Mount the Bigelow Loop. Couple of turkeys spotted on the ridge just before entering Novio Canyon. We stopped off to see the F86 plane crash that occurred in 1957. Pretty much the same as it was when I visited a few years back.

The fire burned sections along this trail but not all. The vegetation is coming back nicely although the pine fir forest will take some time. Large aspen groves are coming in nicely. There was water in the spring and creek at the Plane crash and on down past Novio Spring and the falls. Lots of ferns coming in below Butterfly Peak. The trail is in excellent condition having had recent maintenance done on it. The road walk up to the towers on Bigelow was pleasant with some great views to the north down what I will call Novio Canyon. Great hiking weather although a bit windy on the ridges.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Gould's Turkey

Bill Williams Spring

Quart per minute

	Novio Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Not sure how much was coming from the spring but the creek was flowing pretty good.

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