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| | | Aylors Arch and Black Top Mesa Loop, AZ | | | |
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Aylors Arch and Black Top Mesa Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 14.12 Miles |
2,842 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.12 Miles | 8 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.80 mph |
| 2,842 ft AEG | 25 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Another jaunt into the superstitions, hitting another loop that I recalled being a favorite of mine back when I hiked the area more extensively with its prominent views of Weavers Needle from various vantage points. A mix of old and new with a detour out to the top of Black Top Mesa (stunning views as ever), Aylor's Arch and the summit of Palomino (both new visits for me).
Got a slightly later start than I wanted to since I delayed my alarm clock in favor of getting a bit more sleep. The drive out First Water road was uneventful, with a handful of cars observed at the first parking area right off 88, another handful at the Canyon of the Waterfalls parking lot, none at the Massacre Falls/Jacob's crosscut lot, and a handful of vehicles at the road end.
The morning started cool, with my first few miles in shade or low angle sun - it was sad seeing all the fire damage, but there are definitely areas within the fire boundary that were less damaged or even seemingly unscathed. Fresh growth is already appearing on plants where the fire didn't burn so hot as to sterilize the ground. Scared up several bevy of quail as I walked through the undamaged/less damaged areas, and startled several desert cottontail at their breakfasts.
As one might expect for an area frequented by lots of people including horse traffic, the trail can be severely eroded in places - and as I was recently reminded, many hikes in the western superstitions tend towards the rocky side. My feet weren't thrilled by the end of the day, but the hike was worth sore and tired feet.
The hike out Dutchman trail started off in low desert scrub but quickly entered the burn zone where the fire seemed to stay in the First Water creek drainage. Eventually, as the trail climbs up and out of First Water creek, Weavers needle becomes visible. Unfortunately, the siphon fire traveled throughout the West Boulder Canyon complex and much of the vegetation is burned through this section.
Before heading up towards Black Top Mesa, I took a detour over to Aylors Arch - the turnoff is marked by a large fire ring, though there isn't a distinct path leading off the main trail, it's easy enough to route find into the arm of west boulder that leads around to the base of Palomino. Once in the drainage, there are occasional cairns leading the way and eventually you'll see a break in the left side with a use trail leading up towards Aylor's Arch. The climb up can be a bit steep...and it gets even steeper if you opt to aim for the top of Palomino Mountain. The fire cleared out much of the brush, making the approach much easier. The views from the top of Palomino were fantastic. The descent, however, was treacherous, with a lot of small shifty ball-bearing like rocks underfoot, so if you go, make sure to proceed with caution.
After my detour to see the arch, I returned to the trail and made my way up to Black Top Mesa. Sadly, the mesa took a lot of fire damage, but there are still some healthy saguaro on top in addition to a section of jojoba that seems to have escaped the burn. The views from the top of the mesa are spectacular. I had no idea that there are petroglyphs present on the mesa, so didn't try to find them - I'll have to return again another time to do so.
After spending some time taking in the scenery, I turned around and started making my way back towards the First Water trailhead via the Black Mesa trail, while making sure to turn around on occasion to take in the views of Weaver's Needle. Sadly, the area that the trail passes through took severe fire damage, with swaths burned clear to the ground and the area now resembling moonscape. Eventually, the trail hits a junction with Second Water Trail, and while there are burned areas, this trail appears less affected. Unfortunately the large cholla forests that I remember seem to be no more 
People: lapped 3 out of the gate, then crossed paths with someone headed to the top of Black Top Mesa while I was on my way down, saw a group of equestrians from afar as I was crossing the west boulder canyon drainage on my way up towards black mesa, crossed another coming in the Black Mesa trail as I was headed out, then relatively close to the TH, saw two groups of backpackers - one possibly set up for a dry camp on second water trail, the other group was going to see how far in they could get by sunset (it was already mid afternoon).
Wildlife: Desert Cottontail, a variety of lizards, a couple different types of squirrels, possibly a cardinal, multitudes of quail and plenty of other birbs.... |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Several Indian Paintbrush (spied along the Dutchmans Trail), some brittlebush, and a parish's golden eye. |
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Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually  |
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