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| Hiking | 7.64 Miles |
496 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.64 Miles | 2 Hrs 58 Mns | | 2.58 mph |
| 496 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | After almost being run off the road by a psycho on I-17, just north of Cordes Lakes, we drove east on AZ-260 to the Mogollon Rim. Psychos excepted, it’s a quicker drive to the Rim than AZ-87 through Payson.
From the trailhead, I quickly found an elk spine, with many of the ribs still attached. I figured it had to be elk due to all the elk crap I found in McCarty Draw. Literally more elk crap than I’ve seen anywhere else.
It wasn’t until halfway down McCarty Draw, 1.5 miles in, that it began tightening up a bit with rock outcroppings and deadfall (which was still easily avoided).
So the main attraction of the hike was flowers. The quantity was very low, but there the variety was good, maybe a dozen species. Lots of insects feasting at the flower drive-in, including several species of butterfly. Suprisingly, none of the butterflies flew off when I approached: All of them were very patient, some waiting over a minute while I took multiple photos. 
Two miles down McCarty Draw, I began finding some puddles, but no flow and nothing that rose to the exalted level of a small pool.
I took a break at the intersection of McCarty Draw and Miller Canyon. Even though it is only a mile or two south of East Clear Creek and C.C. Cragin Reservoir, Miller Canyon was bone dry. It is a wide, moderately firm, gravel bed in both directions.
Instead, I hiked ‘up’ Miller Canyon, which rises a heart-pounding 30 ft. in one mile. There I found two small side canyons, right next to each other, on Miller’s south slope. I took the second one.
Just a few yards up that side canyon is the large dryfall. It would be amazing if water was flowing. Even dry, except for some small pools on its face, it was still very pretty. It would be a challenge for a young, fit, person to climb. 
I followed an elk trail 80 ft. up the bluff, then side-sloped until the side canyon rose to meet me. From there, I simply beat my way up canyon through endless ferns, and the deadfall and tripper vines they hid, to FR 141E. It would have been easier to simply turn left or right, and head 100 ft. upslope to a forest road, but I was determined to stay in the bottom line.
I found one, possibly two, more elk skeletons in the unnamed side canyon, plus four more mylar balloons. Seriously,  your grandma’s birthday.
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/497968234 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
your grandma’s birthday.
