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| Hiking | 11.32 Miles |
1,215 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.32 Miles | 5 Hrs 49 Mns | | 2.18 mph |
| 1,215 ft AEG | 37 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | With warm weather in the valley, and a desire for an easier day, sights were set to the Highline Trail - I've hiked a little of it, but had not hiked this section. After reviewing trail descriptions, I figured the best thing to do would be to head to the Washington Park TH and do an out and back, covering as much ground as we cared to.
The drive up was uneventful - we arrived at the trailhead, finding it empty of any other vehicles. The air temperatures were in the low 60s with a slight breeze and overcast skies - it was so nice to feel a little chill in the air! Before heading off on our hike, we stopped to read the sign at the trailhead describing the history of the Washington Park region, and ambled down to the bridge crossing the East Verde for some photos.
We turned back to head off on the AZT / Highline trail towards the Pine TH, stopping briefly to peruse the completely full trail register (literally completely full, and could do with a swap out along with a few writing utensils). The trail is in good condition - moving from one type of mixed forest to another. It was interesting walking through sections of mixed pine and oak to switch to juniper and manzanita and back again. Some sections of the trail reminded me of sedona with red rock and clay underfoot with manzanita dominating. The size of some of the trees were really impressive - it was great to be able to wander in unburned forest, with near constant birdsong for accompaniment.
After passing through a recently burned region near the Unnamed Fork of Chase Creek that looks to be recovering with loads of ferns, we caught sight of a bunch of tents, but never wound up crossing paths with the group (likely from American Conservation Experience, since we passed a truck and trailer parked along the road where the trail crosses). The trees in the region look to have taken a light scorching, but luckily the fire in this area near the trail did not seem to burn hot enough for total devastation.
We continued hiking in, deciding to turn back after covering about 5.5 miles. After we started back, we saw a couple on mountain bikes heading towards Pine, after having started out from Flagstaff. As we hit an open section, it became evident that the clouds were getting darker and it wasn't much longer afterwards when we heard the unmistakeable rumble of thunder in the distance. Somehow, as our luck would have it, the low chance of precipitation materialized overhead - but instead of a simple spring shower, it was a full out thunderstorm with high winds, a decent deluge, with thunder and lightening directly overhead  . We were able to get a little bit of shelter from the worst of it by stopping in a wooded section. Temperatures plummeted with the arrival of the storm - luckily I had thought to throw my long sleeved shirt in my pack - that combined with a rain jacket was sufficient to keep me comfortable as we continued on.
Happily, the thunder and lightening was relatively short lived, but the heavy clay content underfoot made the tread a little trecherous in places, becoming super slick after becoming saturated. We made it back to the trailhead as the rain tapered off and were able to clean up and get into some dry clothes before heading back down towards the valley. The trail, for the most part is in good repair, save for one deadfall that we were able to easily hop over. When comparing to the reference track, there have been several reroutes - we were able to catch glimpses of what might have been the old tread, but the path we were on was well established and worn the entire way.
Unanticipated thundershower aside, it was nice to get out of the heat. At some point, I'll have to continue on more sections of the Highline. Thanks, J, for joining!
Wildlife: evidence of elk, coyote, and perhaps a small cat. Lots of birdsong, a surprising number of red velvet ants, and some butterflies.
Other People: the two mountain bikers - and definitely a large-ish group was out in the area given the size of the camp we passed, but we didn't see or hear them while we were hiking. |
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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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. We were able to get a little bit of shelter from the worst of it by stopping in a wooded section. Temperatures plummeted with the arrival of the storm - luckily I had thought to throw my long sleeved shirt in my pack - that combined with a rain jacket was sufficient to keep me comfortable as we continued on.
