Sheep Tank - Pinaleno Mtns - 2 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
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| Hiking | 7.50 Miles |
500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.50 Miles | | | |
| 500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Started with the out-n-back to Sheep Tank.
Very scenic views of the snow-capped eastern Pinalenos the entire way.
fricknaley scaredy cows also the entire way.
Then a short drive further up Frye Mesa Rd for Spring Canyon Wash.
Wonderful short-n-sweet nature trail, but getting more difficult to follow as the years pass on.
Again, very scenic views up the snowy mountain from the base.
I ended with an off-trail hike down to Hawk Hollow tank at sunset.
No wildlife today, but I did spot a desert lawnmower 
Very pleased with today's choices!
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| Hiking | 7.05 Miles |
725 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.05 Miles | | | |
| 725 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | | I thought with this early warming we are having out here that I would hit the tank up a little earlier this year. 1 mile in I could see that it was still too early for this area, it needs another month. Not a single wildflower, the creek was dry & not a lot of green going on yet. Oh well ..... the views up Mt Graham & Deadman Peak are always awesome from the trail/road and I got to chase a bunch of fricknaley's scaredy cows down a wash! |
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| Hiking | 6.33 Miles |
375 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.33 Miles | | | |
| 375 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Took my time this lazy afternoon hiking the trail/road down to the Sheep Tank area then off-trailing back along the wash.
Sheep Tank was surrounded today with impassable thick trees & brush so I'm not sure if it even has water in it but, the wash below it was running nicely all the way down to Spring Canyon.
The whole area is just now starting to show wild flowers, needs a few more weeks.
Ran into many of the fricknaley scaredy cows along the way, enjoyed the great Northeastern Pinaleno views and ended the trip on a knoll watching the sun go down behind my backyard island! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| Hiking | 5.85 Miles |
550 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.85 Miles | 3 Hrs 1 Min | | 2.39 mph |
| 550 ft AEG | 34 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | | fricknaley's recent triplog full of stories about skittish cows and poppies convinced me to revisit this area before the coming storms move in. Still high from my yesterday prehistoric finds by Roper Lake, I decided to make this a loop hike and off-trail up to and across the eastern mesa looking for Indian ruins. No prehistoric ruins on the mesa, but I did find some old CCC water diversion check dams which was pretty cool! I then climbed down off the mesa to Sheep Tank and took the road/trail back to the start completing a nice loop. Still no rattlesnake or gila monster encounters this year, but I did come across 2 young gopher snakes and 1 horned lizard. There were also some good patches of wildflowers along the way (especially on the mesa). Fun afternoon in my backyard!!! |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Sheep Tank |
1-25% full |
1-25% full |
| | | Lower half is bone dry, upper half is very low and very hard to access through the thick vegetation. | | _____________________
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| Run/Jog | 4.35 Miles |
375 AEG |
| | Run/Jog | 4.35 Miles | | | |
| 375 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | | nice run after working in safford. awesome views out there in the high desert looking out towards Deadman Peak in particular. only saw a few skittish cows. actually saw a few poppies out there too |
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| Hiking | 5.84 Miles |
400 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.84 Miles | 2 Hrs 30 Mns | | 3.19 mph |
| 400 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | | Very rare early morning hike for me and the first time I've watched the sun rise from a trailhead in probably 2 years! I found this one on a website for Gila valley day hikes and never even knew about this unnamed trail/4x4 road that branches off from Frye mesa road only 6 miles from my home. The hike was a very pleasant & easy stroll taking me through a small ranch/corral area, 3 big wash crossings and ending at Sheep Tank (small cattle reservoir). Awesome views up the northeastern Pinalenos including Mt Graham & Deadman peak all along the way with tons of blooming barrels spread all over the desert floor. Dozens of cows, 1 little horned lizard & 1 roadrunner were the wildlife encountered today. 99.9% chance I'll be back to explore more of this area once this never ending heat goes away! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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average hiking speed 2.39 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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