| |
| AZT #22 Cross F to Upper Sheep Creek, AZ | | -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
| | AZT #22 Cross F to Upper Sheep Creek, AZ | | | |
|
|
AZT #22 Cross F to Upper Sheep Creek, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 9.50 Miles |
2,069 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.50 Miles | 5 Hrs 2 Mns | | 1.99 mph |
| 2,069 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Lately we've catching up on various re-routes of the Arizona Trail, so having done an out-and-back hike three weeks ago from Sunflower to Forest Road #393 on AZT #22 this was an easy choice. Although we wouldn't pick up where we left off at Forest Road #393, we had never begun a hike at the updated Cross F trailhead parking lot so we would experience another re-route while connecting with the trail.
When we hit the trail at 8 am there were only two other vehicles in the lot, both with horse trailers. The first 500' of travel will bring us to the point where the 'old' McFarland Trail came in from old Sunflower Highway.
Before we would connect with the actual AZT #22 roughly a half-mile out we first would have to pass by a large black bull, mere feet of one side of the trail. Tracey was a bit concerned as the bull seemed to be groaning in anguish, maybe cast off by a prospective partner?? Whatever, it didn't appear to react negatively as I approached so I just walked on by, urging Tracey to do the same. No big deal, and danger averted.
In the eleven years since my first Little Saddle Trail hike (To bag Peak 5159) every trip since had followed a slightly different route, and this would add another variation. Although there was practically no general flow, there was standing water at everyone of the numerous creek crossings.
When we passed the Mazatzal Wilderness sign, it brought back memories from October 2015. I was hiking with Courtney, an Australian gal for whom I provided transportation from Phoenix to Sunflower. I remembered the exact spot where we met a Southbound couple from England, where I would bid Courtney good-bye and safe travels, then accompany the couple hike on the hike back to Sunflower, where they had support. As back then, I thought was nice to meet folks from practically polar opposite sides of the world.
Ok, enough reminiscing, let's move on.
Just a bit farther, as we climbed a short, but what would be the steepest slope of the hike, we caught up to an elderly couple (probably between Tracey's and my age, so no negative connotation there) who were through-hiking the AZT. We chatted just long enough for Tracey to share relatively current information about campsites along the Mazatzal Divide, as well as to quell our curiosity hear about why the man was wearing leg/knee braces. Turns out he's been bow-legged all his life and now requires them for added support. Just another case where aids like braces and trekking poles are a proven value. And yes, through-hiking the AZT, way to go man!
Continuing on...
From that point until the Little Saddle/Saddle Mountain Trails junction the only thing we noted was a large rock cairn just above Upper Sheep Creek, and looking down we could make out what used to be some kind of road or wagon trail? Something to check out on the return trip?
We made a quick about-face at the Little Saddle/Saddle Mountain AZT sign and stopped for short lunch break a few hundred yards South in a small shady grove. Quick stop over, we headed back. Less than a half-mile later we met the elderly couple and wished them well as we passed by.
Another half-mile and we met the only other hiker we'd encounter on the day. A young guy, maybe late 20', was just doing what we were, an out-and-back day hike. For items of interest we mentioned the large cairn and our plan to see where the old road went.
Soon we reached the rock cairn and headed off on an adventure to the unknown. It began as what many decades ago was a road, it appeared to die out in an area of what looked like possible mine tailings. However, after a quick perusal of the area, we located a trail of sorts. Initially we thought it was just a game trail, but it soon turned out to have relatively recent use as a cowpath. Although I heard nothing audible, I could almost 'hear' Tracey's internal grumbling about all those damn fox-tails!
Taking a quick look at the area on my phone it appeared the cowpath was leading us to Upper Sheep Creek Spring. When we reached the supposed exact location, it was dry as a bone. Thinking, this doesn't look anything like where there should be a spring, we glanced around, and maybe 500' downstream (very dry stream, that is) Tracey saw a tall Sycamore tree, so maybe the spring is not as shown on the map? That part of the creek was pretty nasty, with large boulders acting as obstacles to our route. As we closed in on the Sycamore, although we encountered a few pools we saw nothing like a spring, and this was now a simple a waste of time and energy. Ok, we're done here.
Heading back through the fox-tails I still heard nothing audible from Tracey so I figured I'm off the hook for taking her on this fiasco of a side-trip... but then again, she was the one with the urge to see what was over the hill so it's all good.
Just as we returned to the AZT at the large rock cairn, here comes the young guy we met earlier. since it was obvious he would be hiking faster than us, we waited for him to pass. From that point the hike was just a re-run of the earlier creek crossings but for the change of direction. When I saw the old bull again it had lain down under a tree, facing away from the trail. As I passed he made no note of my passing, but not so for Tracey... he stood up and turned around, as if to cast an evil eye in Tracey's direction, but there was no drama to be found and it was a all good.
Almost forgot... on the trip North, we found a horse hoof 'bootie' and wondered if we'd encounter any equestrians with a bootie-less horse. We did not, so on the return trip we picked it up, with the intention of hanging it somewhere at the trailhead for it to be claimed. As we approached the trailhead we saw two equestrians coming back along Forest Road #393. So with only one horse trailer still in the lot, I hung the bootie on a post near the trailer, just in case it was theirs.
It was getting a bit warm at the end so I guess the next hike might have to be at a higher altitude... like somewhere in the Sierra Ancha, as long as we can avoid the soon-to-begin full-closures on the US 60 East of Superior. Either skip Tuesdays through Thursdays, or pass by earlier than 9 am and return later than 2 pm it won't be that big a deal once the closures begin. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
