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| Hiking | 8.87 Miles |
2,006 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.87 Miles | 5 Hrs 4 Mns | | 2.49 mph |
| 2,006 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | | Did Butterfly trail starting from the trailhead across from the ranger station (Bigelow trail technically)and since I didn't have a chase vehicle had to do a loop. I chose to take Catalina Hwy back down to Bear Wallow Rd and then once Bear Wallow empties back out to the hwy, just walked the shoulder for the last little section. I heard there is a trail from Bear Wallow area over to Bigelow but I don't know where to pick that up & was happy walking the road. Overall the hike was nice. The water was flowing at Novio Springs (I think that was the creek I crossed?)and the pools looked so inviting!! Many yrs ago I had done what I thought was the butterfly trial, starting from Soldier Camp, but apparently I had turned off on Crystal Spring trail & somehow I hadn't remembered that. So, as I was hiking along yesterday I was perplexed as to why this trail didn't look like the one I remembered? And where was that awesome spot I was going to eat my lunch lol? Well, once I saw the intersection for Crystal Spring, it all came back to me & I realized what happened. So, now I know next time I want to plan to take Crystal Spring trail because it was gorgeous all those years ago! Although it's not technically part of the trail, I have to say my favorite part aside from the spring, may have been walking the dirt road thru Bear Wallow. I could stay in those pine trees forever, ahhhhh. Still mad at myself for not bringing camping gear, was a perfect day/evening for that & I actually had the time off. Wah wah... Hopefully pine air is in my near future!! I posted a few pics but the backside of Lemmon is kind of uninspiring to me so there aren't too many. All in all, it was a nice little hike, glad I went, but next time I'm figuring out a chase vehicle so I can do Butterfly starting at the ranger station, but then turn off and do Crystal Springs to the control rd. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
So, especially b/c I go alone most of the time, I try to listen to my gut and not push my limits too much. Anyway, the flowers were out and I got some great pics and just enjoyed being out hiking instead of buried in my books. I could go on about the flowers I saw but the pictures say it best so check 'em out!!
I took this trail in the late afternoon, had some time to kill before meeting friends for dinner on the east side. Anyway, hadn't been on this trail in years and had forgotten how nice it was. Not sure why, but 12-15 yrs ago when I last did this trail, I never went far enough to see the falls, which just seems crazy because it's not a long trail. Regardless, I was determined to see what was around the next curve in the trail when I ran across the sign telling me there was a waterfall in .2mi. So, even though I was at my time limit to turn around so that I didn't loose daylight, I decided to go the short distance. The waterfall was more like a trickle but I am amused easily and so I was happy anyway. It would be awesome after more rain. The added bonus to all of this was I was forced to trail run back down the trail to make up time and in doing so realized it is a fun trail to run too!! I do want to go back with more time and planning. Would love to pack in and do an overnight. I'm new to backpacking but am slowly gathering the equipt and one of these days will find a willing party to go with me.
