Thumb Connect Trail #314 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Garden Party #324

Prescott Circle Trail - Trail #393

Williams Peak Trail #738

Moby Trail #737

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joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Headed north to higher ground to put some distance between us and the heat from the fire orb.

I tweaked a route we did 6 years ago to get rid of a less than memorable off trail section and add some options.

You start this loop with an immediate 600+ foot climb to get to the Thumb Butte Saddle. After that there are tons of choices up here on nicely groomed trails. MTB's seem to be the largest user of these trails, but we did not see a single one on the day. In fact, we only crossed paths with a few hikers.

I can't begin to remember all the names of the trails we were on, but here are some of my takeaways.

Smooth trails, gentle grades, pine trees for shade, four flowing (lightly) Creeks, nice breezes, big views to the Prescott Valley and the Copper Basin from the Sierra Prieta Lookout.

Other takeaways included some of the things heard on the day:
"Is this hike all uphill"
"Is this hike all downhill"
"It's too hot"
"It's too cold"
"The wind's not blowing"
"The wind's blowing too much"
"My ear's bleeding"
"My feet hurt"
"Can you go pick up the car"

At one point he announced that he was too tired to whine anymore, but that never proved to be true.

This is/was a very pleasant loop (with earplugs). There's nothing that jumps out as being extraordinary, but one I'll do again.

Driving home, southbound on I-17, we were quite happy to not be going northbound. A jack-knifed travel trailer and a bad rear ender, had things a mess around the Sunset Point rest area. We waived to @FOTG as we passed and continued home.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aspen Creek - Yavapai Granite Mountain Sierra Prieta Thumb Butte

Wildflowers Observation Light

Aspen Creek - Yavapai

Light flow

Pools to trickle

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

May 17 2024

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Thumb Butte - Mt Francis Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 17 2024
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	19.10 Miles	2,609 AEG

Hiking	19.10 Miles	7 Hrs 15 Mns	3.00 mph
	2,609 ft AEG	53 Mns Break

Linked

14 linked trail guides

Moby Trail #737

Williams Peak Trail #738

Garden Party #324

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The_Eagle

Thumb Butte Trail #33
A grippy 0.7mi / 620-foot ascent is always a refreshing start.

Thumb Connect Trail #314
The joy ride transitions to a pine forest trot. The name is longer than the trail.

Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
A few paces through the pines nets another easy unique.

Butte Connection Trail #323
This gentle half-mile descent is loaded with pine trees. 4 uniques in 2.4mi puts a smile on any trail lover.

Butte Creek Trail #321 - Prescott NF
This one is always a pleasure and feels isolated. The trail travels along the east bank.

Potts Creek Trail #327
The pines keep coming. None of these trails are worthy of the drive by themselves but I've always enjoyed this one more than the name suggests.

Cold Springs Trail #393
A steady subtle ascent continues with distant urban views.

Aspen Creek Trail #48
Albeit short-lived the nicest creekside stroll of the day.

Moby Trail #737
Unknowingly hiked over 0.75mi, we enjoyed it so much we missed a turn.

West Spruce Trail #264
After a long forest road walk, this weaves along the Sierra Prietta ridge. Peekaboo views of Granite Mountain.

Williams Peak Trail #738
Impromptu addition was a better-than-expected treat.

Garden Party #324
The White Rock Trailhead is large. The west end slithers around some boulders, then evens out alongside a ravine.

Miller Creek Trail #367
Signage warned of being squashed by mountain bikes. The creek was clear but as shallow as I recall.

Thumb Butte South Area Loop
This would be a nice package-deal variation for rehabbing seniors.

Synopsis
Various loops here have always been enjoyed more than anticipated. Pleasant lowkey miles.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Alligator Juniper

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Aspen Creek

Light flow

Pools to trickle

_____________________

- joe

Oct 07 2023

mikemcg

Guides 2
Routes 127
Photos 1,478
Triplogs 129

male

Joined May 07 2019
Tempe, AZ

Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		Oct 07 2023
		mikemcg • Triplogs 129

Hiking	5.21 Miles	1,046 AEG

Hiking	5.21 Miles	2 Hrs 15 Mns	2.42 mph
	1,046 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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Went to Prescott to get away from the heat and check for fall colors. The Thumb Butte Trail begins as a moderately steep asphalt trail, with 40-50° inclines and 700 feet AEG over the first 0.8 miles. The trail passes within 100 meters of the Thumb Butte summit, then turns into a dirt trail the remainder of the way. Took the little side trail and scrambled up toward the top. The views from there are impressive.

We then went back to the main trail, trekked along a saddle, passed a nice overlook, then traveled along a series of other trails to make a 5-mile loop. There was a gradual descent over the next 4 miles. There were scattered fall colors in the back half, especially along the creeks, although the creeks were dry. It was a beautiful day, sunny and 85°. The views were pleasant throughout the journey. There were numerous people in the first mile, but maybe 3 people and 4 mountain bikers total over the next 4 miles. Finished at 1pm and spent the afternoon in Prescott.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Thumb Butte

Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Scattered fall colors, golds and oranges, especially along the creeks.

Dry

3 archives

Jul 23 2022

Whiffer

Guides 3
Routes 161
Photos 477
Triplogs 147

70 male

Joined Jan 02 2016
Prescott, AZ

Thumb Butte Loop of 7 miles, AZ

Hiking		Jul 23 2022
		Whiffer • Triplogs 147

Hiking	7.10 Miles	985 AEG

Hiking	7.10 Miles	2 Hrs 39 Mns	2.78 mph
	985 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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6 linked trail guides

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A loop trail forming an elongated figure eight to the south of Thumb Butte that is shorter and easier than the Thumb Butte South Area Loop. Start from the Thumb Butte Recreation Area parking lot on Thumb Butte Trail #33 and take the first right onto Thumb Connect Trail #314. Turn left (south) onto Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326 for a short distance before turning left onto Butte Connection Trail #323 which intersects Butte Creek Trail #321 after less than a half mile. Take Trail #321 south until it ends at Potts Creek Trail #327. Take a right turn to the west and before reaching the campsite near Thumb Butte Road, make an acute right turn onto Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326 which has a trail marker facing the campsite and is not easily seen on this route. Return to the parking lot on Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326. Only at shortly after the start and before the end are there views of Thumb Butte. Along much of Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326 there are views of Granite Mountain (see photo).

Wildflowers Observation Light
Common mullein are most prolific (see photo). On Trail #326, about halfway between Trails #322 and #323 was a handsome beargrass (see photo). Near start/end are very isolated common yarrow, purple prairie verbena, toadflax penstemon, Canada goldenrod and an unidentified plant with delicate orange flowers (see photo).

_____________________

4 archives

May 28 2022

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Thumb Butte & Groom Creek Loops, AZ

Hiking		May 28 2022
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	16.81 Miles	2,717 AEG

Hiking	16.81 Miles	6 Hrs 50 Mns	2.77 mph
	2,717 ft AEG	46 Mns Break

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9 linked trail guides

Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

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The_Eagle

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Encountered a few hikers on the 600 ft climb up Thumb Butte Trail #33. The steep asphalt tread isn't in any storybooks. After cresting it is about a ~200 ft drop to Thumb Connect Trail #314. Which featured nice assets, clicking cicadas, acorn woodpeckers, song sparrows, and other chirping birds.

After a short leg on Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326, we took Butte Creek Trail #321 to Potts Creek Trail #327 which is always unexpectedly delightful. Hiking along Garden Grove Trail #392, Bruce said he heard the prettiest song of the day listening to a Black-headed Grosbeak.

A hint of trickle flow at the Miller Creek crossing. Then back to the TH on Miller Creek Trail #367, which parallels the Senator Highway. Miller Creek was 99.412% dry.

Hike 2: Groom Creek Loop Trail #307
After a strenuous quarter mile, we decided to have lunch at what seemed like the edge of the most popular bouldering area. Within minutes 4-6 emerged out of the gauntlet of boulders carrying crash pads. They probably smelled old people invading their domain and emitted a chemical warning signal like ants.

Heading up Groom Creek we got passed by three runners coming down quick. Two of them looked like they were in a rock band. Spotted a group of horses approaching behind us but must have turned around soon after. Heard a spotted towhee chipping in the trees.

Passing the old horse rails further up, Bruce smelled creosote. These logs seem a good 40+ years old. Sniff test: definitely a strong creosote scent! I remember Laurie often mentioning Greasewood Flats before they closed in 2015 and looking up greasewood figuring the name was from local creosote since it is aka greasewood. Not positive about it being a wood preservative on these old telephone poles after google returned wood tar and coal tar. Coal tar is or was common in preserving railroad ties. These poles were basically whitewashed, perhaps with age but a photo on the creosote tab at https://woodpoles.org/Why-Wood-Poles/Preservatives has 'em black tarred.

Possibly heard a Green-tailed towhee after a short break at the picnic tables up top. The trail has moved a little after the recent thinning on the upper stretch. The tread through this stretch is comfy-soft but a dust storm with each step.

RS Save/Share > Linked > Auto Link > Numbered/No Overlap

Sings on well-routed network trail systems. Took 19 seconds on the displayed timer. Typically much less, lots of potential trails in the two areas we hiked for the auto linker to evaluate.

Synopsis
Perfect weather day with strong cool breezes in the upper 70s. Better than average pine canopy on the Groom loop making Thumb the preferred earlier hike. Neither of these seem exciting in planning but both areas were the ticket today. Took 19 photos, it's nice not needing to sort through a hundred for a change.

Dry

_____________________

- joe

May 28 2022

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Thumb Butte Groom Creek Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 28 2022
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	17.69 Miles	2,737 AEG

Hiking	17.69 Miles	6 Hrs 50 Mns		2.89 mph
	2,737 ft AEG	43 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

10 linked trail guides

Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

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joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

We'd done both of these before, but It'd been awhile.

Started at the Thumb Butte TH and made the steep 600'/.8mile climb. Not a favorite, but it's over quickly.
The rest of the hike rollercoasters until you drop back to the start. All trails up here are in great shape and run in and out of the manicured forest. A smattering of MTB'ers, runners and hikers.

The birds were chirpin' and we (As Joe said) ran into a small pack of deer. Luckily they did not attack.

Next up was the popular Groom Creek Loop. Going CW, we stopped at the Groom Creek bouldering area for some lunch. We passed or were passed by a few runners and hikers. Breezes kept the temps delightful.

The southside of the loop had had plenty of thinning activity post Crooks fire. That portion of the trail has just reopened. Going through the area that was thinned, the trail is like talcum power and quite dusty. It'll take some rain to get this to lay down.

Good times in Prescott.

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Sep 04 2021

nonot

Guides 107
Routes 249
Photos 2,067
Triplogs 514

male

Joined Nov 18 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Circle Connection Trail #322

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 04 2021
		nonot • Triplogs 514

Hiking	11.70 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	11.70 Miles
	1,400 ft AEG

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12 linked trail guides

Watertower Trail #315

Pine Lakes Trail #316

Ridgetop Trail #317

Watertower Loop

Honey Bucket Trail #333

Piglet Trail 328

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The morning was great but as the day went on it got quite hot. Luckily a nice breeze started up and that helped.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Butte Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Flowing nicely

	Garden Grove Creek	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	There was a trickle in some lower areas of the drainage. Higher up it was dry though the ground was damp in places.

	Miller Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Flowing nicely

_____________________

http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!

2 archives

Sep 03 2021

nonot

Guides 107
Routes 249
Photos 2,067
Triplogs 514

male

Joined Nov 18 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 03 2021
		nonot • Triplogs 514

Hiking	11.00 Miles	1,830 AEG

Hiking	11.00 Miles
	1,830 ft AEG

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8 linked trail guides

Old Forest Road #9707T

Old Forest Road #9401J

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Pretty nice weather for the day. As I was sitting and eating my lunch a nice sized deer came out of hiding. Need to add some trails to HAZ.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Butte Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Flowing nicely

	Miller Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Flowing nicely

_____________________

http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!

1 archive

Mar 12 2021

AugustWest

Routes 174
Photos 471
Triplogs 184

51 male

Joined Mar 16 2019
Phoenix

Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 12 2021
		AugustWest • Triplogs 184

Hiking	7.07 Miles	1,147 AEG

Hiking	7.07 Miles	2 Hrs 37 Mns	3.26 mph
	1,147 ft AEG	27 Mns Break

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6 linked trail guides

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My day started on Walker Rd. thinking I was going to go up Mt. Union today. Ha! I made it to the trailhead, but realized after post holing for a quarter mile in foot deep snow that without boots, gaiters, snow bibs, snowshoes or skis/skins it was going to be rough. Another day....

This was Plan B and it was snowy on and off, but the skies were amazing, vacilliting between sun and dark snow squalls.

Anyplace that paves a trail as steep as the trail going up Thumb Butte must be busy. I did see two hikers within a few hundred feet of the trailhead, but that was it for people all day. At the saddle I saw 3 Peregrine Falcons circling above the butte and the summit area was closed for nesting.

For the next mile the views of Granite Mountain were pretty amazing. Off towards the Sierra Prieta mountains to the west there were micro systems of heavy snow, puffy clouds and spots of sunshine. Mother nature was putting on one hell of a show today!!

The next few miles were on a system of logging roads that occasionally veered off onto trails that were immediately adjacent to the road. The entire forest had been selectively logged not too long ago, but it didn't deter from the beauty of the forest or diminish the quality of the surroundings.

I think the trail highpoint of the day was the Butte Creek Trail and the Butte Connector Trail. Both were single track and more wild than some of the road sections.

Admittedly, everything is prettier in the freshly fallen snow and it did come down hard at points during the day. Even still moving through these forest trails was not a burden like the freezing my damn feet on Dandera earlier in the day.

_____________________

Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

May 12 2018

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Mount Francis - Williams - Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 12 2018
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Hiking	19.80 Miles	3,320 AEG

Hiking	19.80 Miles	8 Hrs 52 Mns	2.39 mph
	3,320 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

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8 linked trail guides

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slowandsteady

We wanted to hike in the Prescott area and looked at nice loop that @The_Eagle did on the Prescott Circle Trail area. Stated from Aspen Creek Trail #48 and headed south on this awesome smooth grade trail that weaves in and out of the pines. Part way down we ran into a guy looking for his dog he lost on the trail. We found the dog about 20 minutes later running the trail but at least going the right way. We headed back towards the TH but were able to hand off the pup to some other hikers heading back to the TH.

We continued on to East Copper Trail #260 junction and then up this section which is an old road. Just before reaching the Mount Francis road we stopped at East Copper Spring which had spring box full of clear water….definitely good source for filtering if needed. Then we made quick hike up Mount Francis and before heading down about 3 miles of road walking to the West Spruce Trail #264.

Next up Williams Peak which would be our lunch and beverage break. Nice views on top but there was some noticeable fire damage on the summit. After lunch we decided to off trail back down to the road and another ½ mile of dirt road walking to more trail.

Back on trail the Thumb Butte Bypass trail #236 heading towards Thumb Butte. From this point on we had many trail junctions but it makes for nice loop options on some really well maintained trails. Eventually we made it over to Thumb Butte which was closed to protect the Falcon nesting area. Took another break before back tracking to the Butte Connector trail #323.

Eventually we jumped on the Potts Creek Trail #327 and the Cold Springs Trail #393 heading towards Aspen TH. This entire section was another fantastic trail with smooth grades and great stands of Ponderosa forest. It made the hike back to the TH very enjoyable walk and definitely made me think of returning to explore the numerous trails in the Prescott Circle Trail system. Great hike and will be back!!

	East Copper Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Spring box full of clear water perfect for filtering if needed

_____________________

3 archives

May 12 2018

slowandsteady

Routes 67
Photos 966
Triplogs 694

51 female

Joined Jan 05 2012
Phoenix,AZ

Mount Francis - Williams - Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 12 2018
		slowandsteady • Triplogs 694

Hiking	19.80 Miles	3,320 AEG

Hiking	19.80 Miles	8 Hrs 52 Mns	2.39 mph
	3,320 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

8 linked trail guides

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BiFrost

_____________________

Feb 05 2018

Lost

Routes 22
Photos 416
Triplogs 67

42 male

Joined Apr 18 2009
Anthem, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2018
		Lost • Triplogs 67

Hiking	5.58 Miles	811 AEG

Hiking	5.58 Miles	2 Hrs 10 Mns		2.91 mph
	811 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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6 linked trail guides

Javelina Trail #332

West Trail #318

Pine Lakes Trail #316

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I never really got into hiking when I lived in Prescott 15 years ago; the Thumb Butte area definitely shows what I missed.

Started up the paved Thumb Butte trail with a cool 40 degrees at the start. Made it to the top in about 30 minutes, which is really good for me

The skies were crystal clear with views to Bill Williams and the San Francisco Peaks. After that I just meandered around the various trails making a loop back to the car. This is a great area even if you skip the climb up Thumb Butte. Light traffic on this Monday morning; maybe 4-5 hikers and one mountain biker.

There was a 30 foot or so section of ice covering the paved trail in the upper sections which was slick, but very careful foot placement can get you through it. Otherwise just some small but firm muddy patches here and there along the other trails.

_____________________

3 archives

May 06 2017

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Mt Francis - Williams Peak - Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 06 2017
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	19.08 Miles	3,249 AEG

Hiking	19.08 Miles	8 Hrs 4 Mns		2.69 mph
	3,249 ft AEG	59 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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12 linked trail guides

Prescott Circle Trail - Trail #393

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joebartels

After last weeks hike/injures, Joe asked me to put together Something "On Trail" and "No Water".

I drew up the Scottsdale Green Belt, he complained "Too Much Water".
So back to the drawing board.

I picked an area in Prescott, West and South of Thumb Butte and put together some choices.

There are tons of trails up here, most in the pines, most on friendly grades and well marked trails. Real Trails.

After making our way through the detours associated with the now in progress Whiskey Row Marathon, we started at the Aspen Creek Trailhead.

Aspen Creek #48
What a gem in the pines. We were only on it for 1.6 miles before starting our only off trail section. I want to hit the rest of this trail sometime.

Climb to Mt. Francis Area
.4 mile and 300' AEG off trail to get to an old Forrest Road climbing to the towers around the Mt Francis area. At 7100+ there are great 360 views.

Sierra Prieta Overlook, West Spruce #264, Williams Peak
FR373 took us over to the overlook. We passed scattered runners from the marathon. Great views of Copper Basin and Skull Valley. [ youtube video ]
Next an easy out and back up Williams Peak to take in the views.

Thumb Butte
Thumb Butte bypass #326, Garden Grove #392, Miller Creek #367 are all nice hiking trails taking us to the Thumb Butte area. Thumb Butte #33 climbs steeply to the saddle to the West of the Butte.

The remaining trails wind in and out of pines, juniper, oaks and creeks on gentle grades, back to where we parked.
Potts Creek #327 and Cold Springs #393 were the highlight of the remaining trails we traveled.

This hike, was almost the identical mileage to what we did last week, but took about half the time... and that was with 2 long breaks. This is the hike that was needed this week.

I was able to hike all new trails for me and only made Joe suffer on one short off trail section. Minimal whining too!

There are plenty of looping opportunities out here.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] K228DF-FM 93.5MHz Williams Peak

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

May 06 2017

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Mt Francis - Williams Peak - Thumb Butte Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 06 2017
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	19.08 Miles	3,249 AEG

Hiking	19.08 Miles	8 Hrs 4 Mns		2.69 mph
	3,249 ft AEG	58 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

11 linked trail guides