Barnhardt Trail #43 Photoset • 00blackout • 2025-05-03 • HikeArizona.COM

Barnhardt Trail #43, AZ

	2025-05-03
	22 by 00blackout

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Barnhardt Trail #43

Payson, AZ

Barnhardt Trail #43

Payson, AZ

Hiking	15.20 Miles	2,618 AEG

Hiking	15.20 Miles	8 Hrs 30 Mns	1.79 mph
	2,618 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Mazatzal Divide - AZT #23

Partners

partners

DesertNymph

Vashti

The girls planned to hike Barnhardt on Saturday, and I got invited. Even though I had just hiked Barnhardt two weeks prior and the Mazzies for the past two weeks, I said yes because I wanted to hit up Chilson Spring and Camp, as S and I did not have time a few weeks ago. Two cars at the TH parking lot when we started up before 8. It was already getting warm when we started up, and by the time we reached the Sandy Saddle junction, it was pretty hot, especially with little shade along the way. About a half mile from Chilson Spring, we heard a voice in the creek bed and came across a solo NOBO AZT hiker who was filtering water. With the high temps we were all going through water pretty quickly and none of us brought a filter

, however, she was awesome in letting us use her filter to stock back up. After refilling, we continued, making a quick stop at Chilson Spring before reaching Chilson camp for lunch. Found a nice lunch spot under some nice shade trees where we rehydrated and cooled off for a bit before starting back. The hike back to the Barnhardt junction was hot, however, the wind picked up and the clouds came in for a bit, covering up the fireball, which helped immensely. We stopped at the rock outcropping (break spot everyone stops at) for a break when it started to sprinkle. It sprinkled just enough to crank up the humidity, and the sun coming back out sure didn't help, but it was all downhill, so not a huge deal. The rest of the hike down was uneventful, however, we narrowly missed hitting a rattlesnake that decided to cross the road in front of us on the drive out. He was nice enough to stop for some pics before leaving.

Only came across 5 people all day, the last two were hiking down Barnhardt carrying a huge backpack and an umbrella. We asked them where they camped, only to be told this was just a 'training' hike.

Great hike with great company, thanks B & S for the invite!