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| Hiking | 12.72 Miles |
3,333 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.72 Miles | 5 Hrs 48 Mns | | 2.21 mph |
| 3,333 ft AEG | 2 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This was done to finish up Passage 19 of the AZT. I've been going through my old GPS tracks that I've saved over the last 15-18 years and I never hiked FR341 between the Thompson and Cottonwood Trails, as well as hiking the bridge by the dam. After having done this hike, I think this is the 5th passage that I have now fully completed.
I started from the Vineyard Trailhead and hiked southbound across the bridge and over to the Thompson Trail. The wind slicing through the suspension cables had a slightly spooky effect, especially being above the water and with cloudy skies that looked like they would threaten rain despite the forecast saying that wouldn't happen.
Lots of elevation gain along the Thompson Trail and even FR341, mainly from the ups and downs through the drainages. Everything was even greener than most wet winters in memory. Not many wildflowers out there, probably due to the higher elevation. Looking at my old track from I can't tell how many years ago, there appears to have been a re-route of the Thompson Trail. I spotted the turnoffs on my way back. Looks like the re-route adds some extra distance and AEG, but nothing too bad. Saw 2 deer early on, just like the week before and also like the week before, couldn't get a decent picture.
The end of the Thompson Trail gets pretty rocky, making descents tricky. FR341 was a reprieve until the last 1000' of AEG it gives. Turned around at the corral where 341 meets the Cottonwood Trail. 341 goes behind the mountain that the Tonto NM is on. Some caves were visible from the road so I zoomed in a few to try to see if I could see any ruins. The lighting from behind the mountain made that kind of hard to do. The views up top along 341 were really nice. Good to see Roosevelt nearly at capacity for a change and not have the dreadful feeling like a catastrophe is imminent.
Coming back on Thompson I spotted what definitely looked like a ruin at the base of a cliff. It's along the north end of the trail and looks accessible if you pick the right spot to get off the trail to take the less steeper grades.
Didn't see any hikers, bikers or even 4 wheelers on 341. Mostly cloudy all day with the sun breaking through every now and then. Also got very windy at times, which I had no complaints about since it helps cool me off so I don't use as much water. I checked the weather later that night at home and at about 9pm there was a big storm hitting that area. |
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Route Editor
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