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| | | Oak Willow-Juniper Mesa-Bull Spring Loop, AZ | | | |
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Oak Willow-Juniper Mesa-Bull Spring Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 16.37 Miles |
2,775 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.37 Miles | 8 Hrs 32 Mns | | 2.37 mph |
| 2,775 ft AEG | 1 Hour 38 Mns Break | 16 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | This area just happened to be on both of our lists. Based on past "Less than Gleaming" triplogs and the 2-1/2 hour drive, it just kept getting pushed.
Joe mentioned he wanted to do it, so I threw together a couple of options.
It's always a good time when you get to see new areas of AZ. The last 24 miles of the drive to this hike was on a dirt road. This was more like a dirt highway, smooth and wide. So any vehicle will make it to this Trailhead.
Driving in we saw what appeared to be a Golden Eagle feeding on a dead Fox....
We parked at the well groomed George Wood Canyon TH and started our trek.
Oaks and Willow #3 - A pleasant hike up, next to, and across George Wood Canyon. The trail was in great shape with signs of some usage. We expected this to be mainly exposed, but there was tree cover a-plenty, Oaks galore (No Willows were seen). Good views as you gained elevation. Oaks ans Willows #3 on the north end stops at the Wilderness border and the Pine TH.
We used FS Road #7 for 2 miles to get to the next portion of our loop, Tr#9124. Along this portion of the hike, not paying attention to where I was walking because I was intently focused on something poignant Joe was verbalizing, I came close to stepping on an Arizona Black Rattlesnake. Joe tried to warn me, but was unable to speak before I started doing special little dance while chanting something that sounded Aboriginal.
Trail #9124 heads due south off FS Road #7. We passed what appeared to be an abandoned camp with a couple of quads. This trail is an old 2 track forest road, until it reaches the Wilderness boundary. From this point it's not a single track until it ends aprox 1.8 miles from FS road #7. We bushwhacked up the raviine and hill until we intersected the next portion of our loop.
Juniper Mesa Trail #20 - The views were worth the trip. There were numerous outcroppings that you were able to crawl out on to take in the sprawling views. I'd really like to see the remainder of the 2 miles of the trail to the East.
Bull Springs Trail #100 - One steep loose bugger up top, turning into a recently rerouted smooth trail all the way back to the beginning. You get some sweet views of the Mesa from down below on this trail.
Clockwise is the correct way to hike this loop. Good times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40cFml_ATuI |
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Bull Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | | Tank was full of filterable water |
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Pine Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | There are 2 Pine springs indicated on the TOPO .25-.5 miles apart. Both are just off the Forest Road.
- This is the NE of the two. There is a large trough filled with Filterablr water. |
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Pine Springs |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | There are 2 Pine springs indicated on the TOPO .25-.5 miles apart. Both are just off the Forest Road.
- This is the SE of the two. There is a 4' square rock water box with a metal cover, aprox 20' deep. Stagnant water that I would not touch at the bottom. No water was noticed but area was damp. Walk to the other Pine Spring | | _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
... Thanks for driving, Karl.
