sativaismydog's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Sep 18 2011

sativaismydog

Photos 16
Triplogs 3

40 female

Joined Feb 09 2008
Chandler, AZ

Hellsgate 37 ( North ) to Tonto Creek

Payson, AZ

Hellsgate 37 ( North ) to Tonto Creek

Payson, AZ

Backpack		Sep 18 2011
		sativaismydog • Triplogs 3

Backpack	14.10 Miles	3,200 AEG

Backpack	14.10 Miles
	3,200 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Tonto Creek

Partners

none

no partners

We started this trip on Saturday 9/17 at around 9:30am. This hike is definitely a strenuous hike, as there are many ups and downs. The last portion past the actual "Hellsgate Wilderness" sign is downhill, roughly 2.5-3 or so miles (from what a map says and other members). DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG!!! I do not recommend this AT ALL. My dog is an experienced hiking dog. She's done many hikes and backpacking trips with me and has never had a serious problem. But this trail has a lot of jagged rocks and loose gravel which has cut her paws up so badly, she stopped walking. We did not make it down to Haigler or Tonto Creek, we were about 1 mile out. My boyfriend had to hike down to the water and fill our camelbacks, and he says the last portion getting down to the water is extremely steep and very loose gravel. He says it's a very sketchy hike, in and out. Luckily, after watching many "Dual Survivor" shows, we kept our sanity and smarts and built a stretcher out of sticks and his hammock the next morning. We carried my dog (50 pounds) up about 2 miles the next morning. Our friends luckily met up with us as they stayed the night down by the creek, and helped carry her the rest of the way out. Overall, I didn't like this hike, probably because of my bad experience with the dog. But the wilderness is a beautiful area. We stayed the night Saturday (we were not going to carry that dog out when the sun was going down), and it was beautiful. We saw Mars rise over the mountains, it was bright red and lighting up the sky. And the moon rose over the mountains as well and it was seriously like a lightbulb in your face all night, so so bright! In the morning we heard coyotes howling in the distance, and on the way out we found scat belonging to what looked like a Black Bear! Saw some deer too. Overall, if you are super experienced, go for it and have fun. But if you are not in shape or have only done a few hikes before, I do not recommend it. And my main point for writing this was to educate everyone on NOT BRINGING A DOG!!! She is resting now, paws wrapped up, not moving! Hoping she gets better.

Wildflowers Observation Light

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Sep 10 2011

sativaismydog

Photos 16
Triplogs 3

40 female

Joined Feb 09 2008
Chandler, AZ

Goldmine Trail - San Tan MRP

Phoenix, AZ

Goldmine Trail - San Tan MRP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 10 2011
		sativaismydog • Triplogs 3

Hiking	2.50 Miles	693 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	693 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My boyfriend and I, (well mostly my idea), decided to hike the Goldmine Trail in San Tan mountains to watch the storm roll in. The hike itself is easy. We only hiked far enough to the base of the mountain in which you will go up (because that storm was headed straight for us!!!) If you love the Sonoran Desert, and would like to see all the flora and fauna it has to offer, this is great. The views are amazing. It's like a secluded little gem, placed south east of Phoenix, and you will know you are alone when you are a mile into the hike. I never knew these mountains extended as far back as they do. We saw lots of Jackrabbits, cactus wrens, lizards, and other birds. The sun was setting behind one of the mountains and it was so pretty! I recommend this hike to anyone who wants to take an hour or so "getaway". I read that there is an education center on the property, but we didn't check it out. Once we were about to make the incline up the mountain, we realized the lightening was pretty much above us and headed back to the car. We decided it was best to jog the last quarter mile to the car, as the rain was clearly chasing us. Luckily, as soon as we got the car it started pooring, and not while we were still on the trail. This is a great little hike, pretty area, and I hope you enjoy it!

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Sep 04 2011

sativaismydog

Photos 16
Triplogs 3

40 female

Joined Feb 09 2008
Chandler, AZ

West Fork Oak Creek Trail #108

Sedona, AZ

West Fork Oak Creek Trail #108

Sedona, AZ

Hiking		Sep 04 2011
		sativaismydog • Triplogs 3

Hiking	4.00 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	200 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My boyfriend, his son, myself and my dog did a day hike to the west fork of oak creek canyon in Sedona. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. This hike is relatively easy, with many creek crossings. The trail at some points is almost like sand, very soft. You will know you are at the end of the trail when you reach the creek and the only way through is walking in the water. We kept going about one mile through the creek. The water was very chilly, but comfortable because the sun was beating down upon us. This is such a pretty area, and the canyon walls that surround you is just amazing! When you hike through the water, be aware there are some cracks in the "floor" of the creek that go very deep. My boyfriend and his friends backpacked it for a one nighter a while back, and said they found one crack and couldn't even find the bottom. Our buddy went into it, and he's well over 6 feet tall, and still couldn't touch the bottom! So watch your footing. I saw a man who was a little heavy, and he made it all the way to the end, so if you don't think you are in shape but still would like a great nature hike, this is a fine hike for you. If you have a dog, this is a great hike for them! The terrain is simple, not too rocky, and like I mentioned, it is almost sandy at some points. If your dog loves water, they will love to swim at the end. My boyfriend said if you keep going for a few more miles past the trail, as he did previously, it is just amazing! So to sum this up, it is a relatively easy going hike, beautiful scenery, there were a fair amount of people along the trail, when you end the trail you can continue on in the water. We did not have to swim at all, but certain times of the year (perhaps around monsoon season) the water level will rise. Be aware of the weather upstream as flash floods may be a concern. Enjoy!!!

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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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