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| Hiking | 5.97 Miles |
356 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.97 Miles | 2 Hrs 24 Mns | | 2.49 mph |
| 356 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I drove up via Prescott, so my wife & I scooped up my hiking buddy Prescottstyle along the way. Chino Valley has certainly grown since I last drove Hwy. 89 40 years ago! The drive to FR 9183Y is confusing, so that is what is in the attached route. Cars should park before Johnson Creek — it only adds a mile each way — as the crossing is rough.
You can shave some distance off your hike by parking just before the pile of rocks in the cut at 0.6 miles. Being a rail trail, the path is flat, mostly obstacle free, and the elevation gain barely noticeable.
The hike to the tunnel has been thoroughly picked over. Still there are some artifacts here & there: a spike, a splice bar & fish bolt, signal station bases, etc. The canyon itself is verdant, yet the creek is quite rocky, full of ankle breakers. Might be some artifacts down there, since trains were known to derail in the canyon. If you’re interested, hike it back to Welch Station.
The wind, blowing down canyon, accelerated through the tunnel. Approaching the west entrance was like being sandblasted. Inside, there’s no need for a flashlight. Though curved, I could see glow at the far end. Lots of graffiti inside. I went 300 yds. past the east entrance: It looked like more of the same, so I turned around. Meantime, Prescottstyle had been exploring the guard station above the tunnel.
Enjoyable day, in a new part of Arizona for me. Already considering doing it again, on a mountain bike, out & back to Williams!
Rumble Video: https://rumble.com/v6ywblm-hiking-johns ... unnel.html
Vimeo Video: https://vimeo.com/1118369479 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Sacred datura, silverleaf nightshade (purple AND white), plus photographed species. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
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