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| Hiking | 11.09 Miles |
1,355 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.09 Miles | 4 Hrs 2 Mns | | 2.75 mph |
| 1,355 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I passed through Flagstaff as recently as last October, on my way to see the fall colors in the Inner Basin [ photoset ] , but we took I-40 out to the east side, rather than driving through town. Seems like a lot has changed since we last drove through the west side, 18 months ago: There’s all kinds of construction along Milton Rd., and other buildings abandoned and fenced off. Downtown, there’s a new hotel across from Wheeler Park. Flagstaff is, unfortunately, becomming more city-like with each passing year. 
Today’s plan was to park at the bottom of Schultz Pass Rd. / FR 420, then hike a loop of Rocky Ridge Trail #153, bits of Lower Oldham Trail #1 and Brookbank Trail #2 across the Dry Lake Hills, FR 789 (aka “Little Gnarly”) to the Sunset Trailhead, then Schultz Creek Trail #152 back to where I started.
There’s a few small boulders sticking out here & there, but Rocky Ridge Trail #153 is in great shape. I saw precisely one blooming claret cup cactus and one indian paintbrush on #153. I didn’t see another flower until the prairie in the middle of the Dry Lake Hills. There were a number of slash piles in the first two miles, including the biggest one I’ve ever seen. 
There was plenty of shade the first two miles of Rocky Ridge Trail #153; not so the third & final mile, as it lies within the Museum Fire‘s burn area: The section along Mount Elden Lookout Rd. was a moonscape: One large tree was hollowed out by the fire, and many smaller ones were burnt down to 6″ stubs. 
At the intersection of Rocky Ridge Trail #153 and Oldham Trail #1, there was a Forest Service sign announcing “Trail closed to all traffic including foot traffic.” Bummer. I headed up Mount Elden Lookout Rd. instead.
In a ¼ mile, at the bottom of Brookbank Trail #2, there was another Forest Service closure sign. I could have headed back the way I came with a low drive time ROI, or snuck past the sign when nobody was looking. But then it occured to me that I swear the Museum Fire closures had recently been rescinded! Luckily I had cell signal, and was able to scroll back through the Coconino National Forest‘s twitter feed, and there it was on April 28: Closure lifted. Sweet! 
Despite heavy fire damage, the dead needles in the upper reaches of the pine trees provided pretty good shade as Brookbank Trail #2 headed up canyon.
At the top of the climb, I veered right along a use trail, rather than head straight across the prairie. That took me to north end of the cattle tank which is the prairie’s highlight. Rather than taking pictures into the sun, my position gave me a quartering light, making the water & trees pop.
Little Gnarly had many large log decks, which are unstable, dangerous, piles of harvested logs being staged for transport. Give them a wide berth.
Rather than head straight to Schultz Creek, I split right towards Sunset TH, because I am a completist. 
From Sunset TH, I started down Schultz Creek Trail #152. Unlike the other trails, Trail #152 also had tons of mountain bikes. Thankfully, they were all considerate and friendly. I ate lunch and enjoyed a hiking beer — Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet, a Belgian abbey beer rated 99 out of 100 — in a shady spot next to Schultz Creek.
After lunch, I hauled the last couple of miles back to where I started. I was expecting Schultz Creek Trail #152 to be shadier, but it had plenty of sun too, and my wife commented on the burn I’d acquired. Great day and the best part was we were back home in Phoenix by 4:30 p.m.! 
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/469265331 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Precisely one blooming claret cup & one indian paintbrush. Ironically, within feet of each other on Trail #153. Fair number of dandelions around the tank and down Little Gnarly. And some yellow flower I don't know along Schultz Creek. (Looked like a ground-hugging yellow holly.) |
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Schultz Creek |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | Moist first half mile below Sunset TH. Next mile decent flow. Spotty the rest of the way down to whatever that trailhead is near the bottom Schultz Pass gate. | | _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
park. Rain, thunder & storm clouds upon my arrival. 
Best to wear my new boots or expect to slip. 
