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| Kendrick-Pumpkin-Bull, AZ | |
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| | Kendrick-Pumpkin-Bull, AZ | | | |
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Kendrick-Pumpkin-Bull, AZ
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| Hiking | 18.65 Miles |
4,847 AEG |
| | Hiking | 18.65 Miles | 9 Hrs 32 Mns | | 2.21 mph |
| 4,847 ft AEG | 1 Hour 6 Mns Break | 14 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | I hadn't been at elevation, done any elevation, or hiked any double digit miles in almost a month. I was also dealing with a scorpion sting on my foot from a week ago, that has left half of my left foot numb, so I didn't know what to expect. Joe's been in a similar situation with lack of hiking dealing with some injuries.
I gave him 2 choices and he picked the longer of the 2 hikes, with 4X the elevation gain. 
We've done this Kendrick loop quite a few times. The views are top notch, and it's a great workout. It can get hot, on the exposed parts of all the trails. This was less of a worry today, with the 40+mph winds.
Kendrick Peak Trail
The trail was in decent shape, with maybe 10 areas of dead fall to navigate. We passed 3 hikers on the way up, which would be the only people we saw all day. A break at the cabin, a stop at the empty fire lookout and then down the Pumpkin. Temps up top with wind were chilly.
Pumpkin Trail
This trail is a lot thinner, and the winter had not been kind with all the dead fall. Much worse than Kendrick. Even going downhill it was slow going in many areas. In one of the more exposed areas, the wind was blowing so hard, that I was blown off the trail a few times. Conversation was impossible. The flags we noticed in our 2019 hike gave us hope this would be cleared. No flags and no clearing was present.
Connector Trail
The first part, until you drop into Bull Basin is still easy to follow. The foxtails in this section became annoying. In Bull Basin, the trail disappears in spots so keep an eye out for cairns. Most are hidden in the tall grass or bushes. We saw a herd of 8 elk, led by 3 decent sized bulls in velvet. At the intersection of the Connector Trail and Bull Basin Trail, we took a break in the shade for lunch
Bull Basin Trail
3 miles and 2100' of gain to get back to the cabin from here. After all the work the ACE crews did in 2019, I had high hopes for a clear trail. Not the case. The snow load took its toll on the dead trees as well as many previously live trees. It was slow going to the cabin. The JBM was brought out of retirement and working overtime.
The downhill four miles back to the TH went smoothly.
Good to get back on the trail again with Joey. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
A wide selection of wildflowers throughout the different elevations on this hike. |
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Bull Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| |  Yum yum. I'd have to be on my death bed to even consider it. The smell of animals in the area was strong. | | _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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