Davis Spring Trail #31 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jun 09 2024

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Butterfly Loop plus, AZ

Hiking		Jun 09 2024
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Hiking	9.60 Miles	2,972 AEG

Hiking	9.60 Miles	4 Hrs	2.45 mph
	2,972 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

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Butterfly Trail #16 - Catalina

Sunset Trail #90 - Catalina

Davis Spring Trail #31

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Wanted to do something up high, but felt like I had been up in rim country too much lately, so headed up Lemmon. Started down Butterfly; I was surprised to see a half dozen or more people in the first couple miles. Got to Novio Spring, can't remember whether Novio Spring proper had water, but there was plenty in the drainage where the plane wreckage is - which I stumbled on without actually knowing it was there. I forgot how cool Butterfly Trail is; wish I could've seen it pre-fire.

At Davis Springs, I decided to poke around the top a bit; ended up going about three quarters of a mile down. It was much easier to follow than I expected - the trail wasn't even on my gps map. I heard someone may be doing some work on it. I've been wanting to do the Knagge/Davis loop for awhile; I think as soon as it cools down, it'll be time. If that goes well, maybe a Knagge/Evans/Brush Corral loop is a possibility?

Anyways, DS to the top of Bigelow was a grind. I'm out of shape. But at least it was cool enough. Definitely walked much more of the stretch from Bigelow back to Butterfly TH than I would've wanted. I was surprised this was only 9.5 or so miles; it felt more like 15.

	Novio Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	The creek below the plan wreckage is flowing. There's also a trickle in the drainage a mile or so to the west, almost to Crystal Spring jct.

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1 archive

Sep 24 2012

OldNslow

Photos 149
Triplogs 9

65 male

Joined Sep 17 2012
Tucson, AZ

Davis Spring Trail #31

Tucson, AZ

Davis Spring Trail #31

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 24 2012
		OldNslow • Triplogs 9

Hiking

Hiking	9 Hrs 20 Mns	0.00 mph

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I parked at the trail head across the street from the Palisades Ranger station and hiked the Butterfly Trail 2.4 miles to the Davis Spring Trail junction. I've always liked the Butterfly Trail. There are some very nice overlooks and the vegetation on the north aspect of the range is lusher. Too bad, I was too late for the raspberries that grow along the trail.

I immediately took the wrong trail and had to back track. Fortunately, I was paying attention to the map and didn't have to go very far. The actual trail is less obvious and stays on the ridge line headed north. The trail on the ridge line was discernible, but not in great shape. After approximately a quarter mile it dropped into the drainage to the east and pretty much disappeared. From there to Pictograph Spring I had to rely on topography and compass bearings to navigate. The occasional cairn and yellow flagging seemed to confirm the route. Although, I found flagging and cairns buried deep in nearly inaccessible thickets of thorn bushes with no hint of trail.

There is a large flat area midway to Pictograph that has very different vegetation. I believe the tress are cedars with an open under-story. It was very quiet and very park like. I would like to return and spend some time there glassing the area to see what animals might show up.

There was a small amount of running water in the creek at Pictograph. I spent just a few minutes eating lunch and searching the area for any pictographs, which I didn't find. The only thing I did find was a USGS survey marker from 1927.

On my return I climbed the ridge west of Pictograph and stayed on it, instead of the route the map showed, which was mid-slope and had a lot of loose soil. This route was much easier and I wished I had taken it coming down. Pictograph is at 5440 and the high point is the saddle next to Mount Bigelow at about 8200, so it was a good climb heading back.

If you don't mind bushwhacking, and you don't mind bleeding a little, then this might be just the trip for you.

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Jun 24 2012

camiles

Triplogs 108

51 male

Joined Feb 19 2012
Tucson, AZ

Davis Spring Trail #31

Tucson, AZ

Davis Spring Trail #31

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 24 2012
		camiles • Triplogs 108

Hiking	6.40 Miles

Hiking	6.40 Miles

no routes

no photosets

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Mount Bigelow Trail

Butterfly Trail #16 - Catalina

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Did Bigelow Trail to the Butterfly Trail and walked the first .25 miles (roughly) of the Davis Spring trail. The Butterfly Trail was dusty and dry, but beautiful - so much green right now! We did not have much time on this hike - but it was great to hike a little of the Davis Spring trail. The small distance we covered was definitely better described as a 'route' - but cairns and some small pieces of blue flagging tape were reasonable to follow (we stopped where the trail turns to the east and heads down - the turn seemed well marked with several cairns) - the only part were we wandered around looking for the trail was at the very beginning, we could not make sense of the more obvious/well established trail (to the left - perhaps downed trees fooled us?) - but had no problem once we took a smaller trail to the right that runs past an old fire ring. Looking forward to exploring more of the Davis Spring Trail! Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmiles/sets/72157630264585600/

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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