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| Hiking | 11.12 Miles |
1,924 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.12 Miles | 5 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.21 mph |
| 1,924 ft AEG | 48 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Another trip to Arizona's version of Mini-Colorado - The Inner Basin!
Looking at pictures that people have posted earlier in the week, it appeared this might be the last weekend to see the peak colors.
FS 522 is still closed going up to Lockett Meadow. That's 3 miles each way plus adding 850+ ft of aeg going in. Easy hiking along a road, but it's still up, up, up until you get near the meadow.
We arrived a little before 7am and the little parking lot was already full. We had to park along the road. We started up and it was a little chilly. I layered up and we starting hiking up the hill. About a mile in, it was time to shed the layer. We came across 4-5 groups going up and 1 guy already heading down.
The meadow looked like a ghost town. A far cry from the normal circus I have experienced in the past. Signs of the fire were very clear as soon as you start up. Burnt trees everywhere. The new growth aspens got it a little as well. We could see some colors, but the fire damage was everywhere until it wasn't.
Once we started hitting the aspen groves, we could see a mix of colors - yellow/gold, green, orange (that was new) and leafless tree. It looks like the crazy weather we've had really messed up the autumnal transition this year.
As we started getting up higher, the colors were really nice. The switchback area was peaking. I've seen it nicer, but it was classic Inner Basin. We hiked to Waterline Road and went down a little and that was the best color, light and scenery for sure.
There were quite a few people up on the road and going up and down along the switchbacks. Considering the effort to get up there, I was surprised by how many people did make it.
We had a little lunch, took our 10k pictures and started back down. We both noticed the steady stream of hikers coming up. The skies were clear and it was warmer than I expected. When we made to the road, we really started seeing people coming up. Most of these people were mostly casual hikers and had no or very little water, lots of kids and it must have been "Inner Basin Doggie Day" as we saw tons of dogs. I am guessing most of these people didn't make it all the way. I am also guessing some regretted bringing the kiddo's and no water.
When we got back to the car, the were 100's of cars, spilling out of the little parking lot and stretching both ways all along 522. It was the same usual circus this place brings, just 3 miles north.
The Inner Basin is a special trail. It's stunning, especially during the Leaf-peeping weeks. I think an overnight backpacking trip would be a good way to see it. We did see a few campers at the camping ground doing just that. Once the road opens, it will be back to crazy for sure |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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