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| Hiking | 28.89 Miles |
4,643 AEG |
| | Hiking | 28.89 Miles | 13 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.69 mph |
| 4,643 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 45 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | It’s been almost 7 years since I last hiked this section of the Verde River trail. I remembers the trail being rocky, but not this rocky. Did someone bring in more rocks?
The FS put in a new trail-head sign with the correct mileage to the river. There’s also a new vehicle barricade at the wilderness boundary. The barricade is interesting as in it won’t keep any determine people out. Plus it’s not necessary because the TH has posts that block all vehicles except motorcycles.
The hike down to the river was slowly than expected due to the ankle twisting rocks along the way. On my final descent to the river, I spotted 3 canoes going down the river.
I saw cows all the way down to the river. I was surprised to see them that far out. The Verde river trail got choked out by the vegetation along the river. I found it easier (and catclaw free) to follow the cattle paths by the river. The East Verde River crossing was more than I expected. I had to go up and down the river to find a good crossing spot.
Once I crossed the East Verde, the trail went into a grassy shaded area. This helped with the warm temps. I heard some noise and came across the canoes people setting up camp by the river bank. We chatted a bit. I went back to the well-worn trail and it ended at a Verde River overlook. I went back and forth from the last known cairn to the overlook. I couldn't find any other trails. I pulled out the GPS / HAZ track and it showed I just off the trail. The GPS showed that the trail started to climb up and pull away from the river. I still couldn't find it. Then I bushwhacked up a ridge to where the trail should be. I came across a path!, But then I saw something ahead of me. It was a cow  ! The ‘trail’ lead me to another trail?!?! I was on a series of cattle paths. I set 3 o’clock as my stopping point. If I wasn't on THE trail by then, I would turn around. This is not an area you want to be hiking in the dark. At 3:05 I turned around . The GPS showed I was crisscrossing the trail and I never saw a cairn ( just cattle prints) ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") . Or any evidence I was on THE trail. It might be easier to hike this section from south to north.
Along the way back I looked for the Dead Man’s Mesa / Fossil Creek intersection sign. I saw it 7 years ago. I found the trail, but not the sign. The temps were perfect when I started out and got very warm by the river. It got very cold on the way back when I got above 5,000 feet. |
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"Everywhere is walking distance...If you have the time"
-Stephen Wright |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Four Sand rails stopped and asked how to get to the Sunflower Mercury mine. I told them they couldn't from where we were. I'm amazed how people can go out ATV-ing without knowing where there going or have a map/GPS.
. We had to walk around the herd. Then is started to rain on us 
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! The Gila Monster said we only have 5 more weeks of spring left 
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