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| Hiking | 5.83 Miles |
2,002 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.83 Miles | 2 Hrs 51 Mns | | 2.05 mph |
| 2,002 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Not the hike I had initially planned. I had wanted to do Sterling Pass, but couldn’t see the TH in the early morning darkness so ended up at Bootlegger picnic area which also serves as the TH for AB Young trail. This hike has been on my list fooorrreeevvveerrr.  Ever since I joined HAZ. Whenever I do generic trail searches this would be one of the first ones on the list and I would wonder  Today was the day.
Got on the trail a little after 7am. Took the stairs down to the “unofficial AB Young stream crossing.” There is actually a sign that states this. It makes me wonder is there a place where there is an “official AB Young stream crossing”? I am sure that at this time of year (especially this year, being so dry) the water was lower than it typically is. But that being said the creek was flowing nicely! Little nervous crossing. My trail shoes are old, with poor traction, and I did not want to start off my hike with a dunking. The temps were hovering at 40 degrees at the start of the hike. I can’t imagine doing the hike in wet clothing. Made it across safely and up the other bank to where there is a user trail (unnamed at this location) that parallels Oak Creek and a signed beginning to the AB Young trail. Sadly, the metal signage, pictured in the trail description is no longer present and has been replaced by a hand written sign. However, it serves its purpose, pointing me in the right direction....and up I went!
The AB Young trail is listed as strenuous,,,,,and it is. 2000ft in 2.5 miles, but I was pleasantly surprised by the grade of the climb. The grade was CONSTANT!, but it always seemed to fluctuate between mild to moderate. And smooth. There were not many stair-like steps that needed to be negotiated. At first the trail alternates between a powdery gray dust and rocky conditions. The higher I got the more rock oriented it became. Honestly, going up, I thought the trail was unimaginative. Switchback after switchback. I ended up counting how many times the trail interacted with rock slides, which was a surprisingly common theme at the higher elevations. I counted 8 with numerous other teases. All were very stable....very reminiscent of the rock slide on the Alta trail at South Mountain. The shrubs became a constant companion at the higher elevations, narrowing the width of the trail. And they did a fantastic job of obscuring the trail from view both going up AND going down. I was surprised at how difficult it was to identify the trail even though I knew it was right above and below me. Reaching the top of the switchbacks didn’t mean that I was done climbing. This just meant that I was finally able to see what was to the west. Views were ok. But there had been a fire in this area sometime in the last decade or so and the scars from the fire are still relatively fresh. From here the climbing isn’t as constant, there are some nice flat or relatively flat sections, on your way to the top which is visible to the south. Due to the fire there is quite a bit deadfall which needs to be circumvented. Trail is still easy to follow despite the downed trees. It was about .5 miles to get to the overlook. This, in my mind, is marked by a very solid looking teepee. The views from this point are Fantastic!!  Well worth the effort. From here, it is only about .25 miles more to reach the East Point Knob Lookout Tower. The pines trees are healthy in this area so the trail is covered in needles, but as long as you head toward the highest point you will soon come in view of the tower. Unfortunately, on my visit, the tower was closed.
Great hike! The trail is a little boring on the climb, but the views from up high, more than make up for it. Only met one person on the trail the entire day, though there were a few at the stream when I got back. Quite a bit of bird life along the trail, but otherwise no wildlife. When I got back to Oak Creek I followed the unnamed user trail a ways to the north to see if there was an “official crossing” for the AB Young trail. Went a little more than .25 miles without seeing a thing....nice trail though.....shaded and you have the sounds and views of running water as a companion. On the drive back I located Sterling Pass TH and the perfect parking spot for it......next time.  |
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