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| | | Loop via Highline - Drew - GC - See, AZ | | | |
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Loop via Highline - Drew - GC - See, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.30 Miles |
2,056 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.30 Miles | 5 Hrs 19 Mns | | 2.32 mph |
| 2,056 ft AEG | 1 Min Break | | | |
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| partners | | With some slightly cooler weather in the forecast during the week and some time on my hands, I figured I'd pop up to the rim country for another hike. I'd initially planned on hitting up one of the more popular hikes I haven't done (Derrick-Highline-Horton), but with rain over the weekend and recent triplogs mentioning sticky mud post precipitation on Derrick, I pivoted to another nearby hike that I anticipated might also benefit from a weekday visit. With my general preference for loop hikes, I saw that some had made a loop out of the See Canyon Trailhead, and I figured I'd follow their example.
Met up well after sunrise to make the uneventful drive up to the rim - spotted a few folk camping out on the road to the trailhead and arrived to find two other vehicles parked in the lot. There were some low clouds perched atop the rim when we arrived, and a chance of thundershower activity in the forecast for mid afternoon. With the recent rains and additional precipitation in the forecast, it was a bit sticky, but the temps were pleasantly cool.
Heading out from the parking area, we walked a short distance before crossing the creek to the See Canyon/Highline junction - opting to do the hike counter clockwise, we started our gradual climb up towards the rim - I imagine fall colors must be quite beautiful with the mix of oak and maple along with the evergreens. The initial climb went by relatively quickly with occasional views through the trees before we found ourselves at the barbed wire gate and the junction with the Drew Trail (marked with blue diamonds) where it was evident there was still more climbing to be done with the top of the mogollon still high above us. After a brief respite from the climb with some open views, the trail took off again at a steeper grade, surfacing on the rim near a camping area and crossing a dirt road. Once on the rim, the Drew continues through heavily thinned forest (turns out all the orange on the trees was to denote "leave tree" for logging operations - at least this is the convention used in Coconino NF) before hitting the General Crook Trail (marked with white chevrons). Walking along the General Crook started off as a nice single-track path, which eventually devolved into following an obvious old dirt road. While the track was easy to follow, the walking was decidedly mundane. The trail eventually reverted back to more of a walking path (marked with a combination of chevrons on trees and pink flags in the ground) while paralelling the Rim Road before departing the General Crook to start dropping quickly into the Christopher Creek Drainage via the See Canyon trail.
Aside from the steep descent, the hike back to the parking area travels through some really lush, wonderfully green forest (be aware that there is poison ivy in the area adjacent to the trail). The canyon was dry in the upper reaches, but we eventually passed an area where water could be heard (and seen below). Continuing down canyon, the water seemed to disappear briefly before resurfacing again. When we passed the junction with the offshoot to See Spring, neither of us was particularly interested in the detour, so we continued on back to the car.
During the hike, the clouds lifted off the rim, but looked to be building again as we were starting our drive back towards the valley. Thanks for joining me and driving, Wally! It was good to squeeze in another moderate-distance hike before the heat severely hampers my hiking.
Other hikers: one backpacker coming down the highline trail, one trailrunner along the general crook trail.
Wildlife: Heard an owl, got sassed by some fat squirrels, chased some butterflies (but didn't get any photos), photographed an uncooperative horned lizard, heard plenty of birdsong, and spotted a few deer on the rim. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Christopher Creek @ Highline Trail |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| | Rock hop your way across.
The springs in the canyon must be flowing, though volume is unconfirmed (didn't go and check actual spring locations). Higher up in the canyon, the drainage is dry - the water surfaces, then goes underground, then resurfaces again. | | _____________________
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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