|
| | | High - Drew - Woods - Sinkhole, AZ | | | |
|
|
High - Drew - Woods - Sinkhole, AZ
| | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 14.74 Miles |
1,924 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.74 Miles | 6 Hrs 11 Mns | | 2.83 mph |
| 1,924 ft AEG | 59 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | This is a springtime favorite for when the fireball starts to make the lower elevations hikes less enjoyable. A couple of late-season storms provided a some snowpack with lingering drifts, but the overall moisture content up here is well below average, with little or no spring runoff happening in the typical spots. The February 28 start of fire restrictions was a bit premature in my opinion, but with wind and warmer temps coming over the next 2-3 months, there could be dangerous conditions up here if a couple of spring storms don't bring relief.
Highline to Drew always ends up lasting just a little bit longer than I'd prefer, but Drew goes by quickly. No skitters on the rim this year, which was a welcome change. Grasses seem to be filling in the unsightly masticated forest floor left behind from the aggressive thinning that has been going on over the past few years. That's a welcome thing too.
The lack of snow has resulted in roads that were open for all but a couple of weeks, and the lake was bustling with crowds of people escaping the triple digits in the valley. Not much activity on the north shore though, so that was nice. At the dam, Bruceboots opted for the longer carbon-dioxide, boombox, tourist-strewn route, while the rest of us opted for scenery and peace.
Back at the sinkhole we made our way back to the trailhead, enjoying the unnecessary 2 extra miles that this trail decides to make for no apparent reason.
Nice temps all day, a lot more cloudiness than expected, and the kind of breeze that keeps the noseeumgnats away. In spite of the company, all-in-all, an enjoyable day. |
| _____________________
| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Unfortunately my GPS was malfunctioning & couldn't rely on the phone in the rain nor it's batt life. Had to abort this mission. 
loop. Some route finding involved. Obstacles along the path are another factor.
.
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. 
Anyway, I quickly exited the canyon and got into a more flat wooded area. There was still no trail, but it was heading towards one, so I was all good. This path linked up with the military sinkhole trail and goes by some pretty rim vista viewpoint spots. The path became paved for a bit and I was not a fan. I moved very quickly on this section just to get it over with. There was an intersection that was following what looked like an old road, so I headed that way (ultimately choosing same as the route I was following instead of staying on the paved path). The path quickly faded and it was just random walking on overgrown grassy areas. I did get to see a couple of aspens that were just starting to turn yellow! 
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!
