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Coal Creek - 2 members in 9 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
9 triplogs
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Aug 12 2019
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 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,607

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 12 2019
SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607
Hiking6.50 Miles 750 AEG
Hiking6.50 Miles
750 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Maverick Hill
Partners none no partners
Took Coal Creek to the NM boundary then back. No water flowing which was a bit surprising given all the recent monsoon rain in the area. Wet forest, but dry creek ...
Next was my first hike up Maverick Hill. Made it just 2 miles up before the heat, humidity & threat of more storms had me headed back down ... will be back to finish this one another day.
2 beautiful forest trails, a couple stops at the campgrounds & the always scenic drive to and from and I was happy with my Monday choices!
:D
_____________________
https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/
 
Jul 30 2017
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 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,607

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 30 2017
SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607
Hiking5.50 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles
280 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
PrestonSands
Day 2 of my time spent with Preston was had in the Big Lue Mountains.
We chose Coal Creek for the days adventure, only my 2nd hike ever in this scenic mountain range.
Arrived, geared up & headed up the canyon. Very nice easy-going stroll up the jeep trail with many cold clear creek water crossings. Ponderosa pines, oaks a a few aspens lined the trail. A mile in we crossed through the boundary gate into New Mexico making this a 2 state hike. Reached our turn-around point, had a quick lunch under the pines & headed back. On the way back Preston opted for a quick cold creek soak (yikes) while I explored some old campsites followed by a couple of creek videos before returning back to the start.

Coal Creek is my kind of place, tall pines with a clear creek running through ..... simple beauty!

Many stops were made along the drive up from Safford and back. Great scenery throughout the trip including the always awesome monsoon storms brewing above and around.
Thank You Preston for showing me another in the Big Lue's (sorry for the tantrum after the ant bite ... it hurt!)

The gentle flow of Coal Creek -
[ youtube video ]
_____________________
https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/
 
Jul 30 2017
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 30 2017
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking5.50 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
SkyIslander18
Met up with Chad for a Sunday adventure and drove east to the New Mexico border for some Big Lue Mountain time. After a visit to the New Mexico state line, we backtracked half a mile to Coal Creek. Chad had not done Coal Creek before, so we opted for one of my Big Lue favorites.

Coal Creek was flowing nicely from recent monsoons, but no late summer wildflowers yet. We roamed and photographed our way up the gravelly, pine filled canyon, enjoying the cool creek water and solitude, while puffy monsoon clouds built and collapsed above us. Coal Creek Tank was our lunch stop and turn around point, although the Jeep trail continues for an unknown distance. Never one to pass up a swimming hole, I stopped for a brief soak in a pool near the willows. The first cracks of nearby thunder sounded as we approached the trailhead along highway 78.

Thunderstorms, rolling green hills and old ranches brought great photo ops for Chad and I, and we stopped to check out the old ranch with the stone chimney. Returning to 3-Way after our Big Lue adventure, we turned the rental car south for a side trip through Duncan. It had been 6 years since I had driven the Duncan/York stretch, back when I lived in Safford, and it was nice to see the area again. Chad pointed out some cool destinations for future adventures on the drive back to Safford, and then we parted ways. I grabbed a burrito at Los Jilbertos, and headed down highway 191. Another fun adventure with a great friend.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 11 2014
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 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal Creek Lower CanyonAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek Lower Canyon
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar May 11 2014
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking6.70 Miles 643 AEG
Hiking6.70 Miles
643 ft AEG12 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Coal Creek
Partners none no partners
I awoke to bright sunlight at my campsite near the Black Hills rockhounding area, tossed my sleeping bag into my truck and then started east on 191 for the New Mexico line to meet a botanist from Tucson at Coal Creek. We roamed Coal Creek, studying flowering specimens of an unusual cactus I had come across years ago. The willow patch had a small pool like always. Saw a few deer. After locating what we came for it was off to Black Jack for the second half of the day.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Aug 26 2013
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 26 2013
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking5.50 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Following a day of New Mexico fun, I pulled off of highway 78 for a hike in one of my happy places: Coal Creek. Coal was in its late summer glory, with green grass, wildflowers and water in its white, gravely bottom. Sunflowers danced in the breeze. I was in heaven. Happy memories of past trips here flooded my mind, and I took my time hiking, just enjoying my surroundings. The return hike was in golden afternoon light. Coal Creek invited me in for a soaking at the willow pool. Mosquito swarms did their best to suck me dry, but I cared not. After my perfect hike, I hit the highway once again, with vague destinations in mind...
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Delphinium
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Windmill
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Big Lue Mountains  Coal Creek
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunset
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Sep 24 2009
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 24 2009
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking4.00 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   20 Mns   3.00 mph
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
All year I had been looking forward to a repeat of last September's fondly remembered Coal Creek hike, with its flowing creek, and wildflowers everywhere. Today there were some flowers, but the creek was not flowing. It did have a number of small pools, though. With temps around 70 and a few splashes of fall color, I couldn't complain. The aspens were still green, but ash trees and poison ivy were turning gold. I hiked to Coal Creek Tank where I turned around, with a setting sun filtering through the ponderosas. Squirrels chattered excitedly and ran amok, while the crunch of rhyolite gravel beneath my boots stirred an otherwise quiet canyon. Another evening well spent!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fly Agaric Mushroom  Red Columbine
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 24 2009
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Backpack avatar May 24 2009
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Backpack2.80 Miles 280 AEG
Backpack2.80 Miles2 Days         
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
UrbanTrekker
My wife wanted to try backpacking again, so we did this as a quick and easy overnighter. Enjoyed a small campfire, stargazing, and perfect weather. Highs were around 80, lows in the upper 40's. Had a very brief sprinkle in the middle of the night. I should have brought in my water like Jessie did, as the two filthy water puddles I found to pump from resulted in greenish post-filtered water. I didn't think the pump was working right, so I didn't drink the water. We saw a half dozen deer on the way out. Good times!
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Sep 04 2008
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 04 2008
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking4.20 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   1 Hour   40 Mns   2.52 mph
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked from highway 78 to Coal Creek Tank and back. Everything was super green with wildflowers everywhere, due to almost daily downpours in the Big Lue Mountains this summer. Saw 3 deer. Coal Creek was flowing clear, strong, and wide. Tevas would have been a better choice of footwear. It was a relaxing and enjoyable hike today. :)
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Delphinium  Hummingbird Trumpet
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 01 2008
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Coal CreekAlpine, AZ
Coal Creek
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar May 01 2008
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking5.50 Miles 280 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles   2 Hrs   11 Mns   2.52 mph
280 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I started my hike on a warm spring day, and immediately met a small group of hikers who had just hiked up Coal Creek. They gave a favorable report, and told of aspens. It ended up being a very relaxing hike, with minimal elevation change, pools of water, and wind whistling through the pines. This hike felt more like something on the Mogollon Rim, instead of being near the Chihuahuan Desert.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ponderosa Pine  Quaking Aspen
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
average hiking speed 2.68 mph

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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