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| Hiking | 7.74 Miles |
542 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.74 Miles | 4 Hrs 14 Mns | | 1.94 mph |
| 542 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | We drove up to Holbrook Friday evening and grabbed a motel, so that we could have the full day on Saturday to explore PFNP. Although I grew up in Flagstaff, I had never visited the park.
We wanted to get permits to visit the Devil's Playground, so we were at the park gate when it opened. Turned out that getting a permit (which is free) was simple and quick at the visitor's center, and we decided to head right over to do the hike while the ground was still pretty frozen (and not muddy). Turned out to be a good choice.
The reason for the permit is that the access point requires driving across private property. The road to the parking area was fine--high clearance preferable, and probably mandatory when it's muddy or snow-covered.
The PFNP provides a guide with photos to help you navigate the trail/route. Our efforts to follow them actually backfired a bit at the beginning (see track), but we had a gps route, so eventually got back on track. The route is marked by brown NPS "slats" in the ground, which are generally helpful.
The most helpful navigational assistance would be to locate the small windmill across the large wash and then follow the fence line (which you can see we did on the way back). This saves tromping in the wash and banks for a bit. Either way though, it's fine. The bushwhacking is minimal--given that the bushes themselves are minimal :-).
We didn't see a soul for the entire hike.
The DP is a cool area with the namesake petrified wood scattered everywhere. In addition the hoodoos/badlands and erosion formations were pretty amazing.
Definitely worth a visit--and great solitude. |
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