|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 6.00 Miles |
1,255 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.00 Miles | | | |
| 1,255 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | This hike had me seeing red, literally! Since the entire route is marked with bright (or not so bright) red flags and chevrons, this is a great hike to practice route finding, and I had a blast..uh..blasting my way through the brush trying to follow these things. The creek was flowing very well and a couple of the crossings required some navigation. Beautiful cascades led me to entertain the hope that the waterfall might actually be running well.
Make no mistake- this hike is difficult- I think perhaps with the new upcoming rating system, we'll see this one rise to a 5. It was quite difficult bushwacking in the creek bottom, and the climb up to the "wall" was very Flatironesque to me, albeit just a short distance. The tub was black as oil.
I didn't expect to see any color, however, it is definately about to erupt- temp was right around 50 when I arrived at the TH (which is on FS Road 6038) at 7 am. Yellow is the dominate color now, but the maples are turning- already some are glowing. Imagine how hard its gonna be following those flags when the maples turn completely!
I was unsure just where exactly to leave the "trail" and hit the FS road, as indicated in Joe's writeup. I kinda got the impression it lay on the N side of the canyon (as it wound WNW), however I wasn't exactly sure when I was supposed to look for it. After ascending the wall, with its only a trickle of water, I hoped the trail would climb right up to the road, and it appeared to. After it rose close to the rim, I left the route and climbed up- but couldn't see the road. Backtracked to the red route and continued to follow- but I was thoroughly sick of bushwacking- so I whipped out the map. It showed FS road 218 on the other side of the canyon, so I climbed out of the creekbed and ascended the steep canyonside. Found it- and followed it to the head of the canyon and was surprised- the red flags even mark the route on the FS road! I take back everything I said about FS roads in my Geronimo Trail writeup.
You don't need to go to the highway- just follow the flags - trail comes out right next to your vehicle. The trail becomes the "first major left" that Joe mentions in his directions.
This hike rocks- and now my feet feel like rocks. Good sturdy soles on your boots are a necessity. Expect to be quite beat up as well.
Oh- this hike has GOT to be longer than 5 miles! According to the FS sign, it is 2 miles down the steep switchbacks before you reach Pine Creek. I logged it at 6- compromise.  |
| _____________________
A true outdoorsman, when treed by a bear, sits back and enjoys the view.
Lost? Hell, I ain't never been lost. But I have been a mite confused for a week or two.
-The Mountain Men |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Joe, Tim, Dave and I decided on taking the canyon route up. Very much worth it! Had fun finding the route, traversing fallen trees with 20ft exposure over the dry creek, and climbing canyon walls and trickling waterfalls. Headed back down as soon as we found the road (thanks for finding us, Jim), forgetting to stop for a lunch break.. oops. The switchbacks on the way down don't look nearly as fun as the canyon. Had a good amount of tree cover for the first portion back, but the second portion seemed like it was in perpetual sun. Better to get this one done before the temps rise too high!
On the way into town, I stopped by the sheriff's office and reported it. Apparently she's from Flagstaff and had her backpack stolen last year, but she's alive and well. 
). Be careful, the rocks can be slippery as you hike up to the base of the falls. There were many places we had to help the dogs climb up onto the rocks. Once past the falls we followed the creek for a ways further. We were not really sure where to exit. We ended up climbing up the left side of the canyon (looking up stream) and finding the fire service road mention in the hike description. We took the road left for 1/4 mile or so and saw two more trial markers on trees. They were on the right side of the road. Could not see a trail though. But being that trail makers had not led us wrong so far we followed them. In a short distance we came to a second fire service road that looked not to have been used for awhile. This road we also turned left on and followed back to the trailhead. I consider this quite a stroke of luck actually. It was a great hike with beautiful scenery. I was really upset that I had left my camera in the car. But that just gives me a reason to go back. 
