Lava Flow Trail (Vekol) • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 06 2024

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Table Top Trifecta, AZ

Hiking		Mar 06 2024
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	22.73 Miles	3,776 AEG

Hiking	22.73 Miles	8 Hrs 12 Mns	2.89 mph
	3,776 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Black Mountain 3306 - Table Top Wilderness

Little Table Top 3097

Antelope Peak - Table Top Wilderness - 3117

Partners

none

no partners

An absolutely perfect day to wander the Sonoran Desert, picking up a triple crown of peaks along the way. I made sure to take advantage of the thick cloud cover after getting unexpectedly rained-out last week. There are a few more highpoints waiting for ascent guides in this neat wittle wilderness.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Military Aircraft

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Baboquivari Peak Little Table Top Sand Tank Mountains Vekol Valley

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
All the standard Sonoran Desert springtime blooms with yellow Lesquerella dominating.

15 archives

Dec 28 2011

JuanJaimeiii

Routes 596
Photos 9,604
Triplogs 2,400

58 male

Joined Jan 30 2011
Chandler, AZ

Table Top Trail

Southwest, AZ

Table Top Trail

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 28 2011
		JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400

Hiking	11.75 Miles	3,174 AEG

Hiking	11.75 Miles
	3,174 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Partners

partners

BobP

We switched gears and changed plans this morning since Bob had the Jeep. We decided to head out and do one of the hikes in my book that required a high clearance vehicle. Table Top was the plan.

We ended up parking at the Lava South Trailhead which is just .8 of a mile short of the Table Top trailhead. We didn't immediately realize we weren't on the Table Top trail until it took a turn and started to loop around the south end of Black Mountain. This was going in the opposite direction of Table Top. We did the normal thing of course given the situation. We turned and went straight up and over the southern end of Black Mountain and headed for our destination.

Rather than go back and figure out exactly where the trail went we just kept our eyes on the prize. Roughly six miles later we meet a couple backpackers near the post on top of Table Top. From here it was a easy breezy trip over to the actual high point on the north-east end where there are a couple survey markers. Bob had some lunch and I ate a tootsie roll and signed us in the register.

Weather was perfect, and the views were great. Picacho looked like a little thimble off in the distance. We decided to go the standard route down via the trail.

Cool hike and good dusty times in the Jeep. Gracias Senior Roberto!

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Dec 19 2009

RedRoxx44

Guides 5
Photos 26,458
Triplogs 807

female

Joined Feb 15 2003
outside, anywher

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 19 2009
		RedRoxx44 • Triplogs 807

Hiking	4.00 Miles	2,010 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	2,010 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Started out on this mellow trail, pretty with the sonoran desert flora, then left where it bends around Black Mountain in a wash and took off on an old Jeep trail, then into another wash, then into a bowl, scrambled up some minor hills for views and just wandered around for photography and solitude. Those who aren't up for Table Top might find this relaxing. Some signs of illegal traffic. Didn't see anybody except a distant Border Patrol vehicle.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Saguaro

_____________________

Nov 13 2005

Al_HikesAZ

Guides 11
Routes 88
Photos 2,649
Triplogs 243

93 male

Joined May 16 2005
Scottsdale, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Nov 13 2005
		Al_HikesAZ • Triplogs 243

Hiking	15.00 Miles

Hiking	15.00 Miles	4 Hrs 45 Mns	3.16 mph

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

South trailhead by the Table Top trailhead to north trailhead and back. Nice stroll but sort of a boring hike. Could be much nicer in the spring with wildflowers, but I would not come back to do this hike. The highlight was seeing what we think was bobcat scat.

_____________________

Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney

Mar 26 2005

Randal_Schulhauser

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Mar 26 2005
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	7.25 Miles

Hiking	7.25 Miles	4 Hrs	1.81 mph

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

From West trailhead to South trailhead and back again. With "desert dog" Buster. Didn't see any vehicles or hikers the whole day. If you can trust the BLM sign-in box, I was only the 3rd hiker on this trail this month. Only evidence of civilization was the occasional airplane you could hear in the distance. Trail is not well marked, but is a combination of old jeep trails and game trails. There are some rock cairns, but they aren't consistent. Table Top Mountain is usually within sight. Lot's of song birdsand the lava is cool!

Didn't think much of it at the time, but there are a couple of prominantsigns indicating;

"CAUTION - Smuggling activity is common in this area because of the proximity to the international border. Be aware of your surroundings at all times".

When I pulled up out of one of the washes noticed an abandoned jacket, blankets, and spent food rations off to the side...

A tip if you are to drive to the West trailhead - always choose the left (north) fork on the 4WD path off Vekol Valley Road at the cattle well. Made a couple of wrong choices on the way in and had to double back...

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mexican Gold Poppy Owl Clover Strawberry Hedgehog

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Informational/Interpretive Sign

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Jan 12 2003

kferguso

Triplogs 10

46 male

Joined Apr 05 2002
Chandler, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Lava Flow Trail (Vekol)

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Jan 12 2003
		kferguso • Triplogs 10

Hiking	4.00 Miles

Hiking	4.00 Miles	2 Hrs 30 Mns	1.60 mph

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Hiked this one to show off a little Arizona desert to my dad, in town for the day from Washington. Originally planned to hike to the summit of Table Top Mountain, but changed our plans when we saw the "No dogs allowed" sign about 1/4 mi. into the trail. Even in January, we were pretty warm under a bright afternoon sun, with no shade to be found. We turned around when the trail began winding around the black volcanic rock slope of a small hill due to time constraints. The desert scenery was starkly beautiful, but I think the rough 4x4 drive into the trailhead may be the most memorable part of this trip!

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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