High Peak Trail #300 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jun 19 2012

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Round the Mountain Trail #302

Tucson, AZ

Round the Mountain Trail #302

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 19 2012
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	9.14 Miles	2,174 AEG

Hiking	9.14 Miles
	2,174 ft AEG		13 LBS Pack

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High Peak Trail #300

Moonshine Creek

Swift Trail (State Hwy 366)

Partners

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SkyIslander18

Pinaleno Trip 2012, Day 1:

Rolling out of bed at my wife's grandparent's house on a hot Safford morning, I met up with AZWaterRat, and we headed up the Swift Trail. Our first stop was Cunningham Campground, where we hit the trail for Moonshine Creek. Moonshine Falls was still flowing (just barely) despite the Mountain being bone dry. We took the Swift Trail back, making it a short loop hike.

Next up was High Peak Trail. Recent deadfall has made the section of trail just past the pumphouse very difficult to find. Once we reached the meadow we encountered two U of A biology students doing squirrel research who were seemed just as surprised to see us as we were to see them. We roamed around a bit after that, climbing up to the Refugium boundary before returning to the Swift Trail, where we explored a side road on the way back to the truck.

Last up was the Round The Mountain Trail. We were able to drive all the way to the very end of Bible Camp Road, where we began a short hike on the top end of the trail. I had forgotten how beautiful the forest was on this section of trail. Big fir trees and shade abounded. We visited the overlook and hiked as far as the junction with the Ash Ridge Trail, where I had turned around 4 years ago. Aspens and small conifers are really coming in nicely on the upper end of Frye Canyon in the old Gibson Fire burn area. After standing up the old Ash Ridge Trail sign we built a big rock pile support for it, and then headed back.

The day was growing late, so we began the drive back down to Safford. Another great day on the mightiest of the Sky Islands!

Our hike stats:
Moonshine Creek (loop) 2.47 miles, 480 aeg
High Peak Trail (loop) 4.07 miles, 702 aeg
Round The Mountain: 2.6 miles, 992 aeg

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Gila Mountains

_____________________

"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

1 archive

Jun 19 2012

SkyIslander18

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,607

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Round the Mountain Trail #302

Tucson, AZ

Round the Mountain Trail #302

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 19 2012
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,607

Hiking	9.14 Miles	2,174 AEG

Hiking	9.14 Miles
	2,174 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

High Peak Trail #300

Moonshine Creek

Swift Trail (State Hwy 366)

Partners

partners

PrestonSands

Met up with Preston and headed up the Swift Trail for a day of hiking on top of ole' Graham. We first pulled over at Ladybug Saddle and after looking over maps, we decided on Moonshine Creek to start the day. Took off down the trail from Cunningham CG traveling through a few nice green fern covered meadows. We then crossed the lightly flowing Moonshine Creek and found some good elk tracks along the water! Awesome, the elk have arrived on top of the Pinalenos!!! We then continued on and out to the rocky overlook at the trail's end and soaked in the great views for a bit before returning back completing a loop via the Swift Trail. Great trail to start the day!

Next up was a new trail for me, High Peak Trail. Preston had done this trail before and that turned into a big + because I don't think I could have followed the first 1/4 mile of this messy deadfall path without him. About half way up, we suddenly walked up upon 2 U of A Red squirrel counters and I think all 4 of us were a bit surprised to see each other. We had a very brief squirrel count talk with them before continuing on to and through the big meadow. We then spent about an hour exploring the meadow and surrounding area before returned back using a portion of the telescope road & Swift Trail (with a short side trip down a side road) to complete the 2nd loop of the day. The meadow on this one was awesome and worth a return trip!

Last trail of the trip (and the highlight of the day) was the Round the Mountain trail. I have hiked much of the lower segments, but have never set foot on the upper portion. I was immediately impressed with the look of the thick green forest on this side of the mountain and the scenery just kept getting better & better with each bend around the mountain! We stopped for a bit at the big rocky overlook down into Ash Creek Canyon before continuing on around and down to the Ash Ridge/RTM junction sign which was laying across the trail. We spent a few minutes resurrecting the sign with a rock pile and then explored the area for a while before heading back as the sun was starting to get low. Great trail to end the trip!

It was another wonderful day on the mountain and a pleasure to hike with Preston again on this magnificent island! I look very forward to our next Pinaleno adventure!

Sky Island Fever - Catch It !!!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] White Tailed Deer

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/

Sep 28 2008

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

High Peak Trail #300

Tucson, AZ

High Peak Trail #300

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 28 2008
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	1.90 Miles	300 AEG

Hiking	1.90 Miles
	300 ft AEG

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*The High Peak Trail is shown on the USGS Webb Peak topo, but not on TOPO software*

I finally located this old trail, and was anxious to explore it, so off I went one autumn afternoon. For an abandoned trail, it was in suprisingly decent shape; I'm guessing it still gets some use. I reached the end of the pathway at the UofA buildings, looked for a continuation, but found nothing. Then I returned to the meadow, and traced the High Peak Trail to where it crossed the telescope road. The blazes continued straight up the hill, cutting the switchbacks of the road. With all of the no trespassing signs there, I figured this was probably the end of the line, so I headed back. I explored the side trail at the spring, which came to an end at a decent overlook rock about 0.2 miles later. Located a trail camera setup, and took a closer look. To which ever biologist put it there, I apologize for my stupid grinning face on your roll of film.

Other than the meadow, which might be good for wildlife spotting, there's nothing to really recommend about this trail. Which is sad, as I'm sure it was once pretty sweet.

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

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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