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| Hiking | 8.48 Miles |
1,972 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.48 Miles | 3 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.39 mph |
| 1,972 ft AEG | 17 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I left the house at 4:30 a.m. to beat the crowds and arrived to four other cars at the trailhead at 7:05 a.m. I drove in from the west for the first time and found the road pretty nice and it felt far shorter than my previous drives in from the east, but I know the difference is only a mile. Unless I have a bad memory, I feel like there are a few more homes than what there used to be along that road.
This has been one of my favorite hikes in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness for years and it did not disappoint today. I always start with Bear Jaw for this loop. The fall colors did not get good until about six-tenths of a mile from the road, but still lots of green. I can never estimate these things, but I imagine prime conditions are about a week out still. I did not run into anyone until nearly five miles in. I took three quick breaks with the dog and at least one of those was out of necessity for me. That road climb can feel a little tiring, in spite of the easy walking. I started to run into people as a I descended Abineau, which seems to be the most popular direction of travel, which kind of makes sense due to the loose and steep upper stretches of the trail that I imagine are less tedious going up hill. I pretty much ran into a steady stream of people with about a mile left.
The trailhead was absolutely packed. I have never seen so many people and cars at this trailhead. Every spot was taken and there were cars parked along the road leaving the lot. I swear this used to be the lower key destination on that mountain at one time.
Great trail all day and great temps a handful of downed trees, but nothing out of the ordinary. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
I would say light to moderate, great stretches up top, but maybe a a week early still. |
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