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| | | Woods Canyon Snow Survey, AZ | | | |
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Woods Canyon Snow Survey, AZ
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| Snowshoeing | 9.63 Miles |
703 AEG |
| | Snowshoeing | 9.63 Miles | 7 Hrs 11 Mns | | 1.58 mph |
| 703 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Bruce has been pestering me for years to invite him snowshoeing but with his busy work schedule it just hasn't ever worked out. So when he recommended we take advantage of the recent stealth snowfall on Monday, I called in and postponed my scheduled annual review at work. I wasn't sure if we'd have to hike up Sinkhole from the 260 TH or if we could find safe parking higher up. There had been no plowing off highway, but only about a foot of new snow overnight made it easy for us to make first tracks through the parking lot.
The only other time I put foot to snow in this area was a brutal day of misery four years ago where three of us alternated breaking trail through a couple of feet of newly fallen snow. We all nearly died and stuck to the boring Crook trail on an out n back.
Today the goal was to check out the canyon bottom, and despite not knowing what kind of flow we would find, opted to check it off first with the lake as the midpoint on the loop. Getting started it was apparent that all the flat land at the top of the rim is saturated and loaded with water. Heading downhill all that water consolidated into easily avoidable streams. The depth of snow is impressive and surprising. 30"-36" was the minimum, with sheltered draws and drifts approaching double that. For the first time on snowshoes in Arizona, I found myself cautiously avoiding tree wells and a couple of times fell into cavities around fallen logs or boulders that were not that easy to self-extricate. Thankfully, Bruce was always nearby to lend a helping hand. 
The deep snow made breaking trail slow. After covering the first two miles in a little over an hour, creekside travel slowed to about 1mph, taking over 3.5 hours to go the next 3 miles. Cause or effect? -- A LOT of photos were taken (sorry, I posted all of them!  ) The place was sort of magical, and for most people, very un-Arizona.
As we approached the lake, the roar of the spillway could be heard and we were treated to the views of what we decided should be named Eagle Falls. Though the eagle closure doesn't begin for another week, we avoided the nesting area and opted against the full lake loop. Unfortunately no raptor sighting today as was the case along the snowbabe a couple of weeks ago.
Next was the quick traverse (lol, not!) over to the store and boat ramp for a break to rest weary legs before starting the long return trip. By depleted energy levels, a rational person would have turned around at least a mile before reaching the lake, but Bruce pushed on and my hope was that the second half of the loop would be easier. While it would not involve the normal relief of returning in the already broken trail we got there on, I thought perhaps there would be a packed trail courtesy of snowmobiles. Additionally, I figured that pavement in March would have accelerated snowmelt and maybe the route back would be clear by late afternoon.
LOL. No luck on the snow machines. Virgin snow everywhere. The pavement had been clear at some point in the past couple of weeks. But there was still mostly a foot of snow with larger drifts from the past two weeks of snowfall. And suddenly the clearing skies were quickly obscured by rapidly approaching dark clouds, snowfall, and thunder. Yay. The road walk is not exciting, but snow depth made it quicker, and more importantly, less effort. At some point poles were regularly clicking pavement and it seemed a fine idea to go without flotation. Ten minutes later, it was deeper again and trudging in boots was more exhausting than floating. Another change of footwear as the snow squall pelted us and thunder boomed.
Two hours to go the last three road miles back to the truck. That part wasn't exciting, but still some nice views of a place that isn't often seen like this. Snow and wind dropped temps into the 20s for the first time on the day. Back at the truck, tracks showed another vehicle had done a loop in the parking lot sometime during the day. It had been the FS, who shoveled out access to the bathrooms. Bruce offered to buy dinner so we headed down the hill for a celebratory meal.
With more snow forecast this weekend, I might just have to go again before this season comes to a close. Not sure if Bruce is ready for it, but Joe has been talking about wanting to snowshoe too. It should be great!  |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Next up, I saw a large paw print in the mud. I quickly realized I had to get out of that canyon area ASAP. As much as I’d love to see a bear, I’d rather not be solo hiking for my first time. 
Any signs of Fall are always promising! Anyways, the random path dumped me out on rim road, which I crossed then followed a different trail a little ways before finally making it back to the forest road I had parked on. I was suuuuper happy to see Lexi the off road sedan! On the way back, I saw a completely torched RV with caution/crime scene tape. Really happy that got contained and didn’t start a larger fire. Overall, great day on the rim!
