| |
| Hardscrabble Mesa Loop, AZ | | -
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 2 labels |  |
|
|
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
|
| | Hardscrabble Mesa Loop, AZ | | | |
|
|
Hardscrabble Mesa Loop, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 11.35 Miles |
1,776 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.35 Miles | 6 Hrs 17 Mns | | 2.06 mph |
| 1,776 ft AEG | 47 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | I originally was going to hike in See Canyon to see some fall foliage, but after seeing a triplog from @tortoise_hiker that indicated that there was no colorful foliage there I decided to do this hike instead.
We did a clockwise loop from a parking area on Hardscrabble Road, with a side trip on Alder Ridge.
The highlight of the hike was the first mile or so that went through a wooded area on the way to Oak Spring. There were some big tooth maples there, and the fall foliage was light to moderate. It wasn't spectacular by any means, but it was still decent. Some of the larger trees still had green leaves, so there might be some color there yet to come.
We stopped off at Oak Spring, and there was only a couple of small pools of stagnant water there.
Then the trail climbed up on Hardscrabble Mesa. It wasn't that steep of a climb but the trail was a bit rocky.
We went a mile or so out onto Alder Ridge, and that was a section of the hike that I really didn't care for. The trail was a bit rocky and there was lots of sun exposure on a warm day. The distant views of the Mazzies were nice, but nothing special.
After getting back from Alder Ridge we continued on the loop mostly on rocky forest roads. Once back on FR 428 we coasted back to where we parked. This section was almost all downhill and it was easy hiking, although there were a few vehicles on the road.
Synopsis
I didn't enjoy this hike as much as I thought that I would, partly because the temps were warmer than they should have been. I had previously hiked from the Pine TH to Hardscrabble Road and back, and I enjoyed that hike more than this one. |
|
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Foliage was light to moderate for about 1.5 miles from the parking area on Hardscrabble Road headed toward Oak Spring. |
|
 |
Oak Spring |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | The spring box was dry but there were a couple of small stagnant pools of water. | | _____________________
| Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
