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| Spruce Mountain Snow Hike, AZ | | -
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| | Spruce Mountain Snow Hike, AZ | | | |
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Spruce Mountain Snow Hike, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.87 Miles |
1,441 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.87 Miles | 5 Hrs 47 Mns | | 1.72 mph |
| 1,441 ft AEG | 1 Hour 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | First snow hike of 2023! The original plan was to do the full Groom Creek Loop. It was about 31°F when we started at 1pm. We went clockwise. The snow was about 2 inches deep for the first mile. There were numerous human and dog footprints for the first half mile, then none beyond that. The trail was easy to follow despite being covered in snow.
The snow depth averaged about 4 inches deep between mile 1 and 2. The views were beautiful the entire way, despite the overcast sky and thick fog. There were numerous deer tracks crossing the trail, occasional rabbit and bird tracks, as well as one bear track.
After mile 2, the snow depth increased further, eventually reaching 18 inches, as we neared the peak. Surprisingly, the snow was only about 1 inch deep at the peak. The wind was fierce at the summit. The views were incredible from the peak. The tower was locked. We took a long break at the peak, then decided to head back the way we came.
The sun set as we headed back, but we couldn't see it due to the thick cloud cover. As we approached the trailhead, we heard a pack of coyotes howling and yipping in the distance. Three deer passed approximately 20 yards from us, and one stopped to pose for a few pictures. We reached the trailhead and drove to Prescott for dinner. |
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