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Leonard Canyon (Lower) - 3 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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May 21 2022
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 Guides 3
 Routes 202
 Photos 3,513
 Triplogs 530

male
 Joined Jan 24 2016
 Arizona
Ol Buck Leonard, AZ 
Ol Buck Leonard, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 21 2022
MountainMatt • Triplogs 530
Hiking6.80 Miles 1,069 AEG
Hiking6.80 Miles   4 Hrs   29 Mns   2.09 mph
1,069 ft AEG   1 Hour   14 Mns Break35 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
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Leonard Canyon (Lower)
Upper Buck Spring Canyon - Mogollon Rim
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
A pleasant little leg stretcher in a new section of some of my favorite “Mellow Mogollon Canyons”.
Little warm weather in the morning made for a much enjoyed lunchtime swim complete with sandy shores and beverages.
Complete solitude besides dog company from Mr. Mellow himself who seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself as well.
A blessed day in the high country heartland.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Buck Springs Canyon Pools to trickle Pools to trickle

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Jones Tank 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Middle Leonard Canyon Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
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  3 archives
Jul 23 2015
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 Routes 54
 Photos 1,508
 Triplogs 325

39 male
 Joined Mar 18 2015
 Payson, AZ
Victorine Crossing #101Payson, AZ
Victorine Crossing #101
Payson, AZ
Backpack avatar Jul 23 2015
The_N • Triplogs 325
Backpack4.00 Miles 800 AEG
Backpack4.00 Miles2 Days         
800 ft AEG
 no routes
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Leonard Canyon (Lower)
Partners partners
Minkis
Decided to take Minkis (and dogs) into Leonard Canyon. He requested a secluded swimming hole with a short hike for an overnight backpack and had never been to V Crossing before so this was a no-brainer. The trail down to the bottom is faint but its short and well cairned. Once you reach the creek it's entirely bushwacking and boulder hopping with patches of clear beach in between. There are plenty of places to camp and a couple with fire rings. We set up on the beach 1 mile into the canyon. After a swim we had just enough time to settle in before enjoying watching the clouds moving over the canyon as they were being lit up by the colors of the sunset. In the morning we were awakened by passing elk but the dogs were contained so we stayed put in our tents and they quickly passed. We then spent the rest of the day bushwacking from one water hole to the next, swimming in each. There was more water in the canyon than the last time I was here and a whole lot more vegetation to deal with as well. Wildflowers and wild mint were abundant. We encountered elk on four occasions as well as turkeys, lots of birds, a few fish and millions of crawfish and insects. There were a few short moments of sprinkles but overall the weather was perfect. Great little trip into a beautiful, lush canyon with awesome swimming holes and tons of wildlife.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wild Bergamot  Yellow Coneflower
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Atlantis Fritillary Butterfly  Dog
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Campsite
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Barbershop Canyon Medium flow Medium flow
Water @ FR 96 crossing

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Yeager Canyon Light flow Light flow
Water @ FR 96 crossing
_____________________
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
  4 archives
May 27 2015
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 Routes 54
 Photos 1,508
 Triplogs 325

39 male
 Joined Mar 18 2015
 Payson, AZ
Victorine Crossing #101Payson, AZ
Victorine Crossing #101
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 27 2015
The_N • Triplogs 325
Hiking3.80 Miles 703 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles   2 Hrs   50 Mns   2.85 mph
703 ft AEG   1 Hour   30 Mns Break
 no routes
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Leonard Canyon (Lower)
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This one has been on my list for a long time. I had never seen this section of Leonard Canyon. With Horse Crossing and Kinder Crossing in the area, it tends to get overlooked. Signage is limited. Forest roads 137H & 9712Q are in decent shape, not bad, but just enough to get interesting in spots. The trail itself is faint to non-existent. Pretty much a game trail down a canyon with cairns and deadfall scattered around. Fortunately, it's not too steep so if you have to improvise you won't find yourself on a ledge somewhere. The route finding ends about a half mile down at the creek. That's where the beauty begins. Pristine water and beautiful cliffs everywhere. I creek hiked downstream and stopped to swim in every deep pool along the way. Even after a holiday weekend, there was no sign of people having been there, not even a shred of trash. Wildlife viewing is almost a certainty here. I saw elk on three occasions. Tons of great camp spots on white, sandy beaches. The last pool I jumped into was the deepest one and delivered a deep chill that when coupled with the cloud coverage and increasing breeze sent me packing. Definitely a summertime creek hike & multi-day backpack destination without the crowds. I will be returning soon I'm sure.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Canyon Tree Frog
_____________________
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
  1 archive
Aug 15 2011
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 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
East Clear Creek - Horse Xing to LeonardPayson, AZ
East Clear Creek - Horse Xing to Leonard
Payson, AZ
Backpack avatar Aug 15 2011
nonot • Triplogs 514
Backpack31.20 Miles 1,000 AEG
Backpack31.20 Miles   16 Hrs   35 Mns   2.30 mph
1,000 ft AEG34 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Leonard Canyon (Lower)
Horse Crossing Trail #20
Victorine Crossing #101
Horse Crossing Trail #20 - East Access
Partners none no partners
Drove up to the rim Friday afternoon. Very peaceful, almost no traffic. Got to Horse Crossing with no trouble, only had about an hour before dark, so I headed down the horse crossing trail and a short distance down ECC before finding a nice place to camp out and read a book.

Night was pleasantly warm. The next day I felt the humidity and it rained twice for about 40 minutes in total. I found a nice overhang to wait out the longer shower. There was a bit of bushwhacking to get to Mack's crossing and a bit more that final push to get to Leonard. ECC sure looked good @ Leonard, I wished my plans were to continue down as it kept getting better and better.

Headed up Leonard, camping options and water options were slim. Leonard was a bit more painful, but I made it to Victorine Crossing which was a pleasant surprise and headed up on the rim and road-walked back to the car. Due to the 2+ inches of rain on Sunday I was soaked through and through but it was very nice as it wasn't cold. Unfortunately the roads were terrible on the way out to the highway. Made it back home in time for a late dinner.

Best wildlife sighting trip in quite awhile - deer, elk, turkey, herons, mallards, and of course birds, lizards, snakes, crawfish, trout, etc.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
 
average hiking speed 2.41 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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