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| | | Pivot Canyon Rock & Spring via FR 149, AZ | | | |
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Pivot Canyon Rock & Spring via FR 149, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.30 Miles |
771 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.30 Miles | 3 Hrs 36 Mns | | 2.18 mph |
| 771 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | We chose this one as a relatively easy introduction to hiking on the Rim for a co-worker of Tracey's, but due to a family emergency (for a cat, no less) we would be doing this one by ourselves. While we could have skipped it or done a different hike, since it had been two years since we'd last been there we saw no reason to change it.
Two hours to-the-minute from leaving home we were on the trail, starting from Forest Road 149, just off Milepost 200 on AZ 87... across the lot from the ADOT black mountain of asphalt.
Initially the temperature was in the low 70's but by time we reached Wildcat Spring it had dropped to 64°.
After crossing Forest Road 616 (we did not pass through the tunnel in either direction this trip) we noticed a change since last year, which was the addition of a two-rail fence of round logs to prevent ATV traffic from driving along the canyon bottoms. While there was no evidence of traffic South of FR 616, there was at least one set of tracks which had bypassed the fence. As usual, there are ALWAYS those who simply cannot be satisfied leaving areas un-traveled.
An hour in, as we made the turn East into the side canyon toward Pivot Rock the temps hit mid-70's, still just right. We took a few obligatory photos at Pivot Rock but only one at Pivot Spring, which was but a trickle out of the pipe. Leaving the spring we headed up to reconnect with Forest Road 616 for the roughly 1-mile road-walk back to where the tunnel runs under FR 616.
Heading South from there instead of returning along the canyon bottom we took the high road, following the long-closed FR 6304 until the junction with the also long-closed FR 9386T, where we decided to take a side trip to see how far it was still easy to follow, but more importantly, seeking a nice shaded set of rocks for our snack break.
Barely an eighth-mile in I noticed movement ahead, and moments later we scared up a number of elk, the closest being a mother & calf and a bit farther was a group of 5-6, at least one being another mother & calf. Unfortunately, although I had turned on my camera when I first noted movement I must have inadvertently turned it back off so pushing the button to take the photo did nothing, except raise my ire at the shot I missed... which was a perfect portrait of a mother and calf side-by-side in the only spot of direct sunlight. Oh well, it will just have to be a snapshot-in-my-mind.
Shortly after the elk encounter we would find ourselves among a large group of butterflies feasting on 'Bee Balm' flowers. Although no flat rocks were available to sit while taking our break, we'd make do with whatever was there to enjoy the flight of butterflies. What a peaceful picnic we had.
Right about the time the forecast said possible showers after 11 am, sure enough, looking up we saw large white clouds beginning to form... not that we actually expected any rain, we figured it was time to head back. Plus, with the sun which had been out in force before the clouds, the temperature had ramped up into the mid-80's so it was feeling warm.
The rest of the return trip was uneventful.
Attempting to determine the exact type of butterflies turned out to be a disaster. In many cases, Google Lens CAN be accurate, but in other cases it is simply garbage in = garbage out. In this case it came up with more than a half-dozen differently named butterflies, a few which were obviously incorrect, even one which was white.
So... just to warn you, I posted all the butterfly photos which weren't blurred, and whether I named them correctly or not, I simply don't care... if Lens uses them incorrectly, so be it. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
I suppose it's possible the conditions were different last time. We must have stepped and climbed over 100 trees but whose was counting. Definitely bring a GPS track for Kinder/Horse and if you're looking for poison ivy you may be looking up at it so familiarize what the underside of the leaf looks like. On the positive side the views are great, no one got lost, SR 87 remained open all day and it was fun exchanging digs. The side trip to Pivot Rock/Spring was good. The temperature had risen by then but it was a short hike. The rock doesn't actually pivot so you may need some WD-40 to break it loose. It was nice to catch up with Linda and Bruce. For the record, I had nothing to do with the Wally fire.
Route 
Guessing 0.84 gpm
