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Camping & Aztec Peak Sunrise, AZ
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| no partners | | Spent the night at the spot I camped May 2016 just before the Juniper Fire. Everything is exactly the same in that area. Very quiet evening and the wind died down around sunset. Birds started their morning songs around 4:00 at first light, so I got up early with the idea to drive back up to the peak for some sunrise photos. That worked out fine, then it was back to camp to read a little and enjoy coffee and a bite to eat before packing up to head down the mountain. 
There were a number of things I wanted to check out before reaching the highway. First stop was to hike over to the Peterson Ranch, then I wanted to get photos of the 4 stream gauges just above the falls. There is one for each fork in addition to the main one right above the falls which measures the combined flow of all branches. The one on the South Fork is very close to where the other camper was, so I parked and went over to say hello. He and his gal were spending a couple nights in that spot (my favorite). We had a nice conversation, and he said he has been coming up there for about 30 years backpacking and bow hunting. He said he really liked Parker Creek Trail #160, especially the area around where the trail tops out in that high fairly level and wide area that extends south toward Zimmerman Point. I mentioned the memorial for the missing man there, and he said that right after that happened he was up looking for him. (Norwin Dixon, age 74, from Coolidge who got separated from his group there on April 24, 1999 and was never found). He said he went off trail up in the area and came across a daypack with some unopened cans of oysters and some other things, but no ID. He is pretty sure it belonged to the man and returned it to authorities, but nothing ever came of it. I mentioned that I just been to the apple trees at Peterson, but he thought I was talking about the spread over by Murphy/Haldi. For as much time as he claimed to have spent up there, he said he had never been to Peterson or to Aztec Peak. I find that amazing!  Anyway, I told them they should do the short hike from their camp over to see the Peterson Place.
I got photos of all the stream gauges as well as the obligatory shot of the falls, then down the mountain I went. I had planned on heading up to McFadden Peak LO, but decided I would save that for next trip. I then stopped at the lower Parker Creek Trailhead, with the plan to do the short hike to the research station and stream gauge, but it was getting too hot and I wasn't feeling up to it and after a few steps I said, "No go." That too will wait until next time.
It was really hot when I stopped at the Swimming Pool House (about 3500 feet)! Then on to Miami, where I stopped at the Burger House for some Mexican food. I hadn't been there before, but it has gotten some favorable comments here, so thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't impressed (even though the locals love it). Bean tostada was okay, but I couldn't finish the red chile burro. Guess I should have gone for the green one.  Next on to Superior for fuel (what are they doing to Superior? ), then Florence and home. Fun little 36 hours away from home. Just might have to it again this summer. 
[ youtube video ]
[ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Route Editor
Route Scout
) were in an explosive bumper crop this year and the deer didn't seem to mind watching as we picked our share. I always thought this area had a high density of bears, but you wouldn't know it from the lack of them harvesting these easy calorie-laden winter reserves.
"No Motor Vehicles Allowed" thin plastic signs stuck in the ground that I did not see. ~Two hours later and 50% into my camp set-up, Larry rolls in to inform me of the signs.. We decided to risk it and did end-up dodging the bullet this time, but I won't let that happen again, and thus the reason why this camping triplog is generic and has no official Camp Grasshopper hike description.
From there we headed over to the Murphy Ranch and took
