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| Hiking | 4.98 Miles |
842 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.98 Miles | 2 Hrs 25 Mns | | 2.06 mph |
| 842 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Years ago I was in Williams for a day and I wimped out on a morning hike because it was too cold. I was determined not to let that happen this time. There had been rain and possibly snow in the forecast, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got up. Got up around 5 with light sprinkles dimpling puddles of standing water. Rain, apparently, had come early. Undeterred, I drove over to Safeway and used that as my starting point. There is only one Starbucks in town (in Safeway) and I knew my wife would appreciate the pick me up, when I got back. It was a little under .5 miles to get to the start of the Williams Link Trail #124.
I had just hiked #124 the previous day, so I got a fresh look at it in the early morning light. The drizzle had changed to a light grapple, so the ground started to get a white dusting. I reached the connection to the Clover Spring Trail in 1.42 miles, (meaning about .4 miles was street walking). The Clover Spring was already in “mid-stride” when I connected to it, so I knew I was going to have to do a lasso to complete it. I decided to do the lasso in a clockwise manner. This involved some moderate climbing along some snow powdered steps. This is a nice trail to begin with, but with the snow-like conditions it was extra special. Went along the ridge for a brief time before reaching the next trail juncture. This was the Connector Trail to the Bill Williams Trail. I had to go past this juncture (maybe .2 miles) to reach the Clover Spring. This also, happened to be where the Buckskiner Trail began. I turned around here and took the Connector Trail over to Bill Williams. By this time snow was in the mix and I could barely make out Bill Williams Mountain as I headed down. It was about .5 miles to get to the Clover Spring Juncture, but I decided to hike the rest of the way down to Bill Williams TH to check it out. It was only an additional .15 miles to reach it. Ok accommodations, trail maps and a bathroom. Satisfied, I went back and took Clover Spring to where it connects to the Williams Link Trail. This was a mild climb compared to what happens after the Williams Link juncture. This entire lasso was nicely forested and easy to follow, even with the snow. There were periodic green chevrons nailed to the trees to help keep you on trail. Took the Williams Link back toward the TH, but deviated slightly as I neared the end and followed a use trail (there were about 5 use trails near the TH) that went in the general direction I want to go. It quickly connected to a rugged dirt road that went back to the neighborhood.
Overall very nice loop. Trails are solid and easy to follow. Distant views are minimal, but you get a fantastic forest experience. And today, it was a fantastic WINTER forest experience. I will say that the signage at the trail junctures were a bit wonky. I would not trust the stated distances on most of the signs. It felt like no matter where I was Bill Williams TH was always .5 miles. Had the trails to myself. No wildlife. |
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