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| Hiking | 11.12 Miles |
4,217 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.12 Miles | 9 Hrs 1 Min | | 1.43 mph |
| 4,217 ft AEG | 1 Hour 16 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | In my defense, the last time I hiked this trail was over 25 years ago (I'm still trying to puzzle out how that's possible  ) and I have absolutely no recollection of what the grade was like  . Anyhow, I'd figured may as well give it a try, since it's one of the remaining access points to the Mazatzals along 87 that we had yet to check out....and I foolishly figured it couldn't possibly be worse than North Peak.
We found our way to FR442, which does not appear to be regularly travelled any more other than by the occasional SxS given the lack of tire tracks and the encroaching brush. We didn't make it very far before it became questionable for a regular sized HC vehicle to pass. We found a spot to park that allowed us to turn the truck around near Center Creek, which we could hear burbling with some flow.
We headed up 442 to the junction with the Half Moon and Rock Creek trails - the sign post is present, but the trail sign(s) have gone missing. The inital bit along Center Creek is gradual, but things quickly get more serious as the trail leaves the creek and starts its unrelenting ascent. After a particularly steep bit, the trail makes its way to cross Rock Creek - with a couple small falls visible if the water is flowing. We stopped for a brief rest and to filter some water before continuing on our climb up to the ridge where we stopped for another break - pondering the drop to Hopi Spring, while taking in the views of Deadman Creek drainage and catching sight of the AZT heading up over the next mesa.
After dithering for a bit, we decided to go ahead with the descent, quickly questioning our sanity as the trail peeled off precipitously and was doing its best to rival Y-bar for rocks in some places. The trail has been cleared of manzanita, though there are numerous stumps in the tread, so watch your step. Just as we were wondering how much further we needed to go, we came across Hopi Spring which is full to overflowing. The area is predominantly manzanita now, whereas it was much more tree covered many years past with some spindly manzanitas sprinkled in. We continued down the trail, which was rather muddy the entire way down to the junction with the AZT. We headed off on the AZT for a bit to find some dry ground to have a break before beginning our ascent back to the ridge. On our way back up, we spotted some boards and hardware underneath some manzanitas that were likely from the old springbox. Managed to make the hike down to Hopi Spring and back up without incident. Made it a good way back down from the ridge, paying attention to my footing due to the grasses and rocks in the treal....but as soon as I let up my guard, I managed to take a manzanita stump to the instep  0 stars. Do not recommend. Especially if hiking in lightweight footwear like I do...I was feeling that in my arch for the rest of the hike.
The rest of the hike down went by uneventfully, if a little slowly thanks to my aching foot and my creaky/crunchy knees. As we dropped further down, we noticed some fresh kitteh prints in the trail that definitely were not present on our way up - wound up following those footsteps all the way down to the creek where they departed the trail.
Other than the relentless grade, the trail is in pretty good shape - easy to follow, some occasional brushy bits where things get a little close. The views are pretty spectacular - I think I enjoyed them more on the way down than on the way up.
Wildlife: Plenty of spoor noted along the way.
Aside from some old horse tracks, it didn't look like there has been any recent human traffic on any portion of the trails we were on. Was surprised to see evidence of horses pretty high up on the Rock Creek trail - the grade did not seem equine-friendly.
Thanks, J, for humoring me and joining me on the suffer-fest  Rest assured, I don't think I'll feel the need to redo this one any time soon |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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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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) and I have absolutely no recollection of what the grade was like 
. Anyhow, I'd figured may as well give it a try, since it's one of the remaining access points to the Mazatzals along 87 that we had yet to check out....and I foolishly figured it couldn't possibly be worse than North Peak.
0 stars. Do not recommend. Especially if hiking in lightweight footwear like I do...I was feeling that in my arch for the rest of the hike. 
Rest assured, I don't think I'll feel the need to redo this one any time soon 
