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Sep 11 2016
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Secret MeadowFlagstaff, AZ
Secret Meadow
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 11 2016
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking1.50 Miles 750 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
750 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've known about this hike since ssk44 posted it in 2010, and I finally did it today. There is no formal trail, so I started up the draw then to the slope, then to traversing the slope as it got steeper. The wind was howling at the top. I tried to take photos for a photo stack, but with the wind and the clouds, it just didn't work out. I saw lots of mule deer on my drive out on 549. It's archery elk season, so wear bright clothing when you are out in the woods.

Directions: FR 523 to FR 416 to FR 549 to junction with 9221H.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Purple Loco
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mule Deer
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Extreme
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Feb 15 2016
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Loy Canyon Trail #5Sedona, AZ
Loy Canyon Trail #5
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 15 2016
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,930 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,930 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Beautiful day for hiking in the Red Rocks. Went a total of about 2 miles in/2 miles out with the side trip to attempt to reach the ruins. I aborted when the climb up the 3rd chute was just too much for me alone. I will bring some climbing friends with me next time.
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Jul 20 2015
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Little Spring to Bismark LakeFlagstaff, AZ
Little Spring to Bismark Lake
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 20 2015
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking1.00 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
500 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Despite the destruction around the spring by AZ Game and Fish when they installed at 6 foot pipe fence around the spring and surrounding area, this is one of the best places on the peaks to see wildflowers and butterflies. This trip didn't disappoint. Even though I'd informed the FS last summer about the mess of cut down aspen and fir in the area and the meadow that had been driven on, no cleanup has been done. Driving tracks remain. The deer and elk are fenced out of the watering hole, but there are still wildlife trails for smaller animals making their way to the spring to drink. I'm pretty sure bear can squeeze through the bars to get to the water. Do deer crawl under?

I've posted a photoset with some of the flowers and butterflies. Coneflowers will bloom in a couple weeks. Sneezeweed, loco, lupine, wild dandelion, rose, penstemmons, columbine, geranium and more are in bloom thanks to the rain this year. Lots of butterflies: blues, fritillaries, tiger swallowtails, sulphurs and skippers.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Franciscan Bluebells  Purple Loco  Richardsons Geranium  Silverstem Lupine  Skyrocket  Wood's Rose  Yellow Columbine
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Atlantis Fritillary Butterfly  Honey Bee  Orange Skipperling  Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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Nov 02 2014
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Horton Creek Trail #285Payson, AZ
Horton Creek Trail #285
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2014
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking6.00 Miles 1,183 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles
1,183 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I made it up to Horton Creek today for fall photos of the waterfalls. It's kinda late for fall color on this one. Since I was there last, the trail has been re-routed/upgraded/changed. Better in places, very narrow in places, adds length to the overall trail. I went up about 3 miles then turned back. I went up the creek using the creekside trails and came down using the main trail. It was overcast and rained a little--great for waterfall pictures! I tried the HAZ app for my iPhone for the first time. It drained a full battery in 3 hours.....
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Horton Creek Heavy flow Heavy flow
Alot of water for this time of year.
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Apr 28 2014
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Parsons Trail #144Prescott, AZ
Parsons Trail #144
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2014
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking4.00 Miles 600 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
600 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First trip down this year. I thought there would be wildflowers and I wasn't mistaken. Went about 2 miles, took alot of pictures, turned around and came back. There is a yellow columbine jungle around the first spring--the plants are as tall as me (5'5") and thick!. Water is flowing strong in Sycamore Creek and from the spring. Beautiful hike and not too hot. Paintbrush, larkspur, hedgehog cacti, beavertail, fleabane, and spiderwort were blooming. The road is rough--I wouldn't take a sedan on it because the hills haven't been graded in forever and the rocks are huge and sharp.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bat  Greater earless lizard
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Paintbrush, larkspur, hedgehog cacti, beavertail, fleabane, and spiderwort were blooming.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Summers Spring Gallon + per minute Gallon + per minute
Very substantial flow--more like +100 gallons per minute.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Sycamore Creek Heavy flow Heavy flow
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Apr 15 2014
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Lunar Eclipse, AZ 
Lunar Eclipse, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2014
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went to the forest by Mormon Lake for clear, clean sky views of the lunar eclipse. These were taken with a Nikon d600, 400mm lens with 1.4 extender. Went out at 10:30pm and came back in at 2:00am. Had to take several breaks in the car to warm up!
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Moon
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Oct 31 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Ghost Seen on Garland Prairie, AZ 
Ghost Seen on Garland Prairie, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 31 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
As you may (or may not) know, I hang out around Garland Prairie alot. The flora, fauna, trails, lakes and streams have kept me busy with hiking and photography for years. I always take the exit off I-40 at Parks then head south across the railroad tracks and down Garland Prairie Road to White Horse Lake, Pomeroy Tanks, the Sycamore climbing area, etc. I've seen pronghorn, bald eagles, northern harriers, red winged blackbirds, snakes, lizards, ducks and cormorants. But I have to tell you, what I just saw scared the bejesus out of me.

I've always gotten a strange feeling driving out Garland Prairie Road--first at the site of a small plane crash that killed the pilot, then at the place where an ATV driver lost it (and his life) in the deep ditch next to the road. But the weirdest, creepiest, scariest feelings come when I pass the abandoned farmhouse and barn down at the second 90 degree turn in the road. I've had those feeling for years at that corner, but for some reason, today I gathered up the courage to stop to check it out.

Out of the corner of my eye--I kid you not--I thought I saw a ghost! It was a woman going about her chores at the farm. I think she knew me, too, since I've driven past there many, many times and I've even done some night photography at that very barn. I parked my car and grabbed my camera, not really thinking I could catch her in a photo, but there she was--and even though I was quaking in my boots, she wasn't afraid of me. I guess a feeling of calm came over me then. I knew that she wouldn't harm me and maybe she was lonely, all by herself in that old wreck of a house. Anyway, she let me take her picture as she did her chores.

After a while, she disappeared. I looked all around the farm but I couldn't find her. I felt a little sad that she had gone. Maybe just once a year she appears for a little while to try to make contact with living beings. I can't explain it, I just know it happened. I think I might look for her again next year, too.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ghost?
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Oct 27 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Sedona Wetlands Preserve, AZ 
Sedona Wetlands Preserve, AZ
 
Birding avatar Oct 27 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Birding1.50 Miles
Birding1.50 Miles
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
On my way down to Dead Horse Ranch State Park I stopped at the new Sedona Wetlands Preserve off Hwy 89A at the water treatment plant. I heard that the city of Sedona had spent $1million on this project so I decided to check it out.

The place is not signed at the highway, so I missed the turn, had to drive a couple more miles on the divided road, turn around and go back. The entrance is at about milepost 364. A short gravel road takes you down to a nice parking lot, pit toilets(TP lacking in the women's) and 3 covered picnic tables. The various ponds have a wide, dusty road around them, and you just walk down the roads. Unfortunately, the cattails are so grown up around the ponds that you can't get a glimpse of the water, except for a handful of spots. Today there were an abundance of coots and a few ducks of various types, but nothing to get excited about. Sedona REALLY needs to get out the mowers and cut more viewing areas into the cattails if they want people to come.

They seem to have planted trees around the ponds, but for now it's a hot, dusty trek around the ponds. BTW, the areas that are signed as off limits seem to have the most ducks given the loud quaking coming from over the berm. I saw a few little brown birds, most likely sparrows, and some redwing blackbirds in the cattails.
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Oct 13 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Verde River Kayaking, AZ 
Verde River Kayaking, AZ
 
Kayak avatar Oct 13 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Kayak5.00 Miles
Kayak5.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.67 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We put in at the house in Ft. Lincoln area and floated/paddled down to Beasley Flats. There was a breeze, and it wasn't a tailwind, but it didn't cause too much extra work. The water is still high and fast, so we made the trip in 3 hours. The trees aren't turning quite yet. One strange thing happened: I looked down and saw a tarantula crawling on my kayak, had a minor freakout and knocked it off with my paddle into the water. It swam right over to the mr.'s kayak, climbed up and then he got it to crawl on his paddle and he deposited it onto the shore. I didn't know they could swim or climb onto wet Swiftys.
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Oct 06 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Bismarck Lake TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Bismarck Lake Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 06 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking4.00 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Up to the AZ Trail above Bismarck Lake to a stand of aspen to do some experimental photos. The trees were not quite golden, but this is a beautiful stand no matter what the color of the leaves. Back at the trailhead I saw a blue FJ with a HAZ sticker--I hardly ever see one of those up here! It was a gorgeous day for hiking.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ Decal  HAZ Rides
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
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Oct 05 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Fred Haught Trail #141Payson, AZ
Fred Haught Trail #141
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 05 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking 721 AEG
Hiking
721 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Tried to drive out to do the U-Bar loop from FR95. FR95 is closed, about 1/2 mile from the parking area at Fred Haught Trailhead. Plus, it is turkey hunting weekend and there were LOTS of guys with guns roaming the roads and woods. Lots of shotguns going off, too. It just wasn't worth the risk to hike this area today. The two pickups with cabs and beds full of gun-toting guys who probably don't have the legal right to have guns who gave me the once-over freaked me out--and I'm not easily intimidated.

On the way back I stopped by Prime Lake--lots of guns going off out there, too, but not a duck in sight.

Seriously, it's the season for HIKERS to wear hunter orange for our safety. And hiking alone isn't a great idea this time of year, either.
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Sep 28 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Abineau - Bear Jaw LoopFlagstaff, AZ
Abineau - Bear Jaw Loop
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 28 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking7.00 Miles 2,115 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   6 Hrs      1.17 mph
2,115 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I suggest going up Abineau/down Bear Jaw because the snow on Abineau makes the trail slick at the avalanche detour. The trees should be peaking next weekend--not much color today.

!!!Don't try to get to the trailhead from Hwy 89--the road is washed out in a few places and high clearance with really good tires is needed!!!

Go in from Hwy 180--no problems with washouts until the parking area, which has some deep gullys, but a car can make it if you are careful.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
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Sep 01 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Garland Prairie Round 2, AZ 
Garland Prairie Round 2, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking2.00 Miles
Hiking2.00 Miles
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
When Sunday morning was rainless, I headed back out to GP, this time to Pomeroy Tanks/Sycamore Rim Trail to check out the lily pond, the frogs, and the fungus. The area was draining water like it had 4" of rain--all the washes were running and the drainages into Pomeroy Tanks were running like creeks. There was a waterfall into the lily pond and the plants were all beat to h***. The ponds all the way down were flooded and the canyon was so full of water, I would have been wet to my knees if I'd gone down in.

I stayed on the west rim taking pictures of the water and flowers. I make it to the first crossing of the rim trail then turned around. I spend an hour wandering back to the trailhead taking pictures of fungi. I met another crazy foto fungi hunter, told him all about HAZ, and he directed me to some bright orange, shiny 'shrooms. Great find, Melvin!

I made a quick stop at Sholtz to see if the eagle was hanging out (no), then back on GP road to I-40. Then another stop to snap a few frames of the resident redtail. Back home and ended the day at the Coconino County Fair where I volunteered at Fine Arts for 4 hours. Good year for me--3 red ribbons and 1 blue.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Brickellbush  Candy Cap  Common Sunflower  Gambel Oak  Gilled Mushrooms  Jelly Fungi  New Mexican Checkermallow  Puffball and Earthstar Mushrooms  Tansyleaf Spine Aster  Yellow-Eyed Grass
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  American Bullfrog  Checkerspot Butterfly  Fly  Red-tailed Hawk
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Garland Prairie
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Aug 24 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Wupatki/Sunset Crater Loop, AZ 
Wupatki/Sunset Crater Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 24 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking2.00 Miles
Hiking2.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After the rain let up on Saturday afternoon I hopped in the car and headed out to Wupatki. I thought the stormclouds might make for good photos and a good sunset. I did the Lomaki trail and a couple others, then headed for Sunset Crater. I stopped to hike the Doney Trail to get my heartrate up and saw a wildflower that was new to me (need to research it--seems to be some type of clover). As I was leaving Sunset crater the sunset popped at the peaks. I rushed to set up the tripod and was in awe as the colors developed. It was magical--completely reminded me of how amAZing it is to live in Flagstaff.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Common Sunflower  Spreading Four O'clock
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sinagua Dwelling
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  San Francisco Mountains - Kachina Peaks Wilderness
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunset
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Aug 17 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Garland Prairie, AZ 
Garland Prairie, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 17 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Finally made it outdoors after weeks taken up with my daughter's wedding, a vacation to Cannon Beach, OR, going back to work and catching a very terrible cold/sinus infection. The morning looked cloudy, but I was determined to make it to Sholtz Lake before the rain started.

Garland Prairie has gotten its fair share of moisture and there is standing water in the meadows. The sunflowers and other wildflowers are everywhere. I saw pronghorn, a red-tail hawk and a bald eagle on the way to the lake. There weren't any other cars at the trailhead, and the sun was shining when I started, but there were clouds in the distance. I took the clockwise trail around the lake to the farthest point where I took photos of the cormorants and ducks. Another couple people came in after me, but they took the counter-clockwise trail with their dogs flushing the birds along the shore. But then the thunderclouds built and lighning and thunder took over. I turned back to the trailhead and decided to drive out to White Horse Lake to see the osprey.

There was one bird in the big nest in the ponderosa by the road, but that nest is very hard to photograph because it is so high. I continued down the road and the cry of an osprey caught my attention. It was coming from a small nest near the end of the lake, so I parked and hiked over to find out what was going on. A young osprey was in the nest, hopping around and crying continuously. At one point it flew--and it had a fish in its claws! It landed in a tall snag and continued to cry for about 30 minutes before it settled down to eat. I'm thinking this might have been its first successful fishing trip and it really didn't know what to do.

As I drove back I detoured over to Dutch Kid to see if the buildings were still standing--they are, but the metal thieves have stripped away anything valuable that was in the big cabin--romex, a big old double cooler, some of the farm equipment. I hope they got a few dollars for all the history they stole :(.

The storm was building all around the prairie and the fire south of Williams really took off. I think they are just letting it burn at this point. I tried taking lightning pictures but I'm too slow on the shutter. I need to get one of those electronic doodads that triggers the shutter.

I wanted to to some night photography out there, but its too cloudy tonight--its been that way since June. I'll probably be out there in the winter freezing at night.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Common Mullein  Common Sunflower  Indian Paintbrush
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bald Eagle  Double-crested Cormorant  Osprey  Pronghorn  Red-tailed Hawk  White-faced Ibis
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Garland Prairie  Volunteer Mountain
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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May 19 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Verde River Float, AZ 
Verde River Float, AZ
 
Kayak avatar May 19 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Kayak6.00 Miles
Kayak6.00 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   2.40 mph
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Another beautiful day on the Verde from about a mile above the West Clear Creek put in down to Beasley Flats. The water is getting low in some of the "rapids" but I didn't have to get out to get past the low spots.

The injured Canada goose is still hanging around. It's a good place to live if you can't fly. It was swimming around with some cormorants today.

Saw a bald eagle fishing the river--probably the same one as last time. Lots of other birds and butterflies but only one mallard mom with little ones swimming around the reeds.

I'm doing this again next Sunday,so if you're on the river, say Hi! I'm in the blue Swifty.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sacred Datura
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  American Robin  Black-chinned Hummingbird  Black-headed Grosbeak  Mule Deer  Summer Tanager
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May 05 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Verde River Float from White Bridge, AZ 
Verde River Float from White Bridge, AZ
 
Kayak avatar May 05 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Kayak3.00 Miles
Kayak3.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.00 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I'm guessing at the mileage from the White Bridge to the house in Fort Lincoln Estates. About 200 yards into the trip, a bald eagle flew from a cottonwood tree down the river just in front of me--what a treat. This section of the river had many places that are getting very shallow. I needed to push quite a lot. It won't be long until the water is too low on this section. Still, it's a nice trip with narrow sections and wide, slow sections. Fish were jumping in the river and I saw a turtle in the cattails.
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Apr 28 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Verde River Float, AZ 
Verde River Float, AZ
 
Kayak avatar Apr 28 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Kayak7.00 Miles
Kayak7.00 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   2.00 mph
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The water level is perfect for floating the Verde. I put in off Salt Mine Road about half way between the White Bridge and the Clear Creek Day Use area. There are slow, wide stretches and narrow, fast drops--certainly easy enough for my Swifty to navigate safely. Well, with one exception--I went sideways and got hung up on a big rock in one drop, but was able to use the paddle to push myself off. You just cannot turn over a Swifty! Saw a variety of birds: blue herons, summer tanagers, cliff swallows, hawks, mallards and one Canada goose with a hurt wing that couldn't fly away.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ Rides
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Apr 21 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Hawk's Nest Trail - Sonoran PreservePhoenix, AZ
Hawk's Nest Trail - Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 21 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking1.00 Miles 230 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
230 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick trip to "shoot" the owls in the morning. Probably the last time I'll go this year because of the heat--I'm such a wimp.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cactus Wren  Great Horned Owl
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Apr 21 2013
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 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Badger Springs TrailCamp Verde, AZ
Badger Springs Trail
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 21 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking3.00 Miles 110 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles
110 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Stopped on my way back up the hill. Butterflies were still flitting all around. Hiked the trail above the river--most of the flowers are gone, but a few poppies are still blooming. The cactus are very showy now with the cholla coming soon. Made my way down to the river planning to take off my boots and go wading when I slipped off a granite boulder and went in up to my shoulders. The camera got splashed pretty good but I managed to hold it up over my head to keep it out of the water. I scrambled out of the water and quickly dried off the lens, body, battery and sd card then let the wind dry them out even more. Lucky for me, everything is working just fine. My ipod in my pocket wasn't as lucky--it's a goner. Everything in my photo backpack--SPOT, phone, gps, car key--stayed nice and dry. I do have to say that getting all wet actually felt good!

Note to self: granite boulders that have been polished by wind and water are very slick.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Desert Mariposa
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Greater earless lizard  Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly  Plateau Striped Whiptail
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Allergic to cities.
 
average hiking speed 1.85 mph
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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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