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Lonesome Pocket Trail #61 - Prescott NF - 1 member in 2 triplogs has rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
2 triplogs
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Feb 09 2022
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 Routes 154
 Photos 1,505
 Triplogs 266

31 male
 Joined Jun 02 2019
 Phoenix, AZ
Yew - Lonesome - Henderson Loop, AZ 
Yew - Lonesome - Henderson Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2022
LJW • Triplogs 266
Hiking29.06 Miles 4,530 AEG
Hiking29.06 Miles   10 Hrs   27 Mns   3.08 mph
4,530 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Packard Trail #66
Sycamore Basin Trail #63
Yew Thicket Trail #52
Lonesome Pocket Trail #61 - Prescott NF
Henderson Trail #53
Partners none no partners
Got this idea from a post by @toddak in 2015. Probably better done from Henderson Flat, but that drive is long, so out and back Packard it was. Included the Packard Mesa Ruins. Went there first then counterclockwise around the loop. First trip back to Sycamore Canyon since the Rafael Fire, and I guess I was a year late doing this one.

Parsons TH at sunrise and hustled up to the ruins. Not a single etching to be found. The roof of the smaller dwelling has been stabilized with a modern support from inside. Haven't been to ruins on a hike that felt like anything more than a novelty, hard to oversell how nice the Packard Ruins are. Plus the views.

Took Sycamore Basin to the Yew Thicket turn off, which is obvious and signed. At first with the grass it looks like a cairn hunt, but it was in near-perfect shape. The grade is clear and there are frequent cairns as it climbs through a rainbow forest. It then enters the Rafael Fire perimeter near the top of the trail. The end of the climb has some deadfall that is tough to maneuver around, and the trail is eroded in a couple places, but it is still easy to follow. Once on top of the mesa it disappears in the ash. On top of the mesa, pretty much the entire way to Lonesome Pocket, the damage is extreme. In the very few patches of unburned forest the trail is cairned and the grade is clear. It is easy to navigate and hike cross country up on top because there is no brush and the ash is soft. The views are huge, but looking down Sycamore Canyon, in many places it is blackened and bare.

Went down Lonesome Pocket, which is also in the fire perimeter. It's rocky, loose, steep, but easy to follow. The junction with Sand Flat #60 is confusing and I ended up on that trail for a minute or two. Once to Henderson Flat I took a break and then tried to find the Henderson Trail. It was lost to the grass despite the new sign, so I went down the road and made a feeble attempt at finding it later on. Henderson Flat was burned except for the immediate area around the cabin and water catchment/tank. The Henderson Trail is in the burn area for a mile or two, so I had no luck and decided the shorten the trip with the road and cutting corners back to Packard Trail.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Arizona Cypress
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
  3 archives
Feb 22 2015
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 Guides 13
 Routes 38
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 577

60 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Yew Thicket Trail #52Sedona, AZ
Yew Thicket Trail #52
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 22 2015
toddak • Triplogs 577
Hiking27.00 Miles 4,000 AEG
Hiking27.00 Miles   11 Hrs   30 Mns   2.35 mph
4,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Packard Trail #66
Sycamore Basin Trail #63
Lonesome Pocket Trail #61 - Prescott NF
Henderson Trail #53
Partners none no partners
Excellent lasso loop from the Parson Springs trailhead - north on Packard #66 and Sycamore Basin #63, then counter-clockwise loop up Yew Thicket #53, down Unknown #61 (aka Lonesome Pocket according to the sign) and back east on Henderson #53.

I had a little trouble finding the Yew Thicket trail where it supposedly meets Sycamore Basin, but after a little wandering in the general direction it became clear. I doubt this trail gets much use but it is in surprisingly good condition, with a huge number of well-spaced cairns taking you up steeply to the rim and onto a lonely mesa with big views. The intersection with trail #61 was unmarked but very obvious.

Trail #61 down to Henderson Flat follows a loose, rocky ridge through open scrub, and would be very unpleasant in the uphill direction under hot sun. The west end of Henderson #53 is faint and overgrown in spots, but improves greatly as it travels southeast along the base of gorgeous red rock cliffs.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Henderson Tank
_____________________
  2 archives
average hiking speed 2.35 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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