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| Hiking | 15.48 Miles |
2,517 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.48 Miles | 8 Hrs 44 Mns | | 1.91 mph |
| 2,517 ft AEG | 37 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Third weekend out in the Mazzies...wasn't quite anticipating hitting Barnhardt again quite so soon, but Vashti was floating some ideas and asked if I'd mind hitting this trail again after I'd nixed hiking in the lower desert realms on Sunday due to forecast high winds. It was such a beautiful hike and graded so nicely, of course I didn't mind - and it would allow me to see Chilson Spring and Camp - J and I had scrubbed that detour from our hike a couple weeks ago due to the additional elevation.
What a difference a couple of weeks makes - nearly all of the fernleaf biscuit root had gone to seed, and the western wallflowers were significantly less prevalent. Some new blooms made an appearance, and the lupine seemed to be more showy. While there were still pools in Barnhardt Creek, we didn't hear them running as we passed...the slight flow observed at the falls previously had also significantly reduced to being essentially non-existant. Temps this time around were less friendly - it was a warm day in the sun, and I was glad to have a breeze appear along with clouds later in the day. While I mostly reigned in the temptation around photographing the flora on the way in, I reverted back to capturing those that I could on the return leg. 
Managed to catch a better look at the Sandy Saddle trail and junction this time as we passed...it definitely looks heavily encroached upon by manzanita, but perhaps it's not as far gone as I had thought it might be...or that could be wishful thinking on my part. We met up with the Mazatzal Divide Trail relatively quickly; the short detour to Chilson Spring and Camp reminded me of the rocky YBar tread in some places.
Chilson Spring looks to have a nice setup with a metal trough that includes a piped outlet for the overflow, preventing a muddy mess. There's some algae in the tank, but not too bad. Chilson Camp had some nice shade trees and plenty of flat ground....there are a handful of bees that frequent the area, one of which apparently took offense at my presence since I had the misfortune to get stung. Thankfully, no reaction during the remainder of the hike aside from a slight welt at the time of the sting, which seemed to become less localized on the hike out. Unfortunately 24 hours later, I've developed some healthy localized swelling - I guess this is my souvenir for this weekend's adventure. On the hike back out, I looked out past Chilson Camp and thought I could perhaps spy bits of the Brody Seep Trail...but similarly to my musings about the Sandy Saddle Trail, it could be wishful thinking and a creative imagination.
Other Folks Seen: One dayhiker outbound as we were on our way up to the big falls, One Northbound Section hiker, one inbound backpacker and two outbound folk fully kitted out in backpacking gear on a training hike.
Wildlife: a couple of fast moving lizards, some high flying raptors, plenty of other birds heard, and on our way out, a delightful danger noodle (western diamondback)
Aside from the bee sting, it was a great day to be out. Looking forward to more time in the Mazatzals in my future! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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| Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually |
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