markthurman53's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Aug 26 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Camino Loma Alta, AZ

Hiking		Aug 26 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	3.00 Miles	234 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles	1 Hour 30 Mns	2.00 mph
	234 ft AEG

no routes

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mamakatt22

Short hike close to home. Evening hike to Dear Camp and the Ruiz Trail from the Camino Loma Alta Trail Head. Since it is still a bit warm we started just before sun set. Clouds made for a beautiful sunset. Saw Two Tiger Rattle snakes on this hike. Makes three of these snakes I have seen all of them from this area of Saguaro National Park. The creeks were all dry but evidence that they have run from previous rain storms. Only saw two people on the trail, one at the trail head as we were finishing the hike, the other near deer camp, Nothing on but a a tiny pouch holding his stuff. Things you see that you wish you hadn't. Other than that the scenery was great.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Tiger Rattlesnake

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Aug 14 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Dragon Fly Loop, NM

Hiking		Aug 14 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	7.90 Miles	607 AEG

Hiking	7.90 Miles	4 Hrs 9 Mns	2.04 mph
	607 ft AEG	17 Mns Break

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Dragonfly Loop Trail #720

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mamakatt22

On the third day in Silver City we headed back to Fort Bayard and hiked the Dragonfly Trail. This is a 3.7 mile hike to some petro glyphs of a dragonfly. We took a couple other trails in the area for a total of 8 miles. The trail follows along the Twin Sisters creek and if continuing north will end up in the Big Tree area. The trail continues on to Twin Sisters Peak and the Continental Divide Trail.

We started the hike in early morning when the temps were a bit cooler but by noon it was pretty warm. The recent rains had everything pretty green. Will have to come back here in the fall or spring to hike some of these trails.

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Aug 14 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

City of Rocks, NM

Hiking		Aug 14 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	1.30 Miles	164 AEG

Hiking	1.30 Miles	53 Mns	1.50 mph
	164 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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City of Rocks State Park

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mamakatt22

After the Dragonfly Trail we headed to City of Rocks to the southeast of Silver City. Before heading to City of Rocks Ginny and I stopped off at Faywood Hot springs to soak in the hot springs. We rented a private pool for an hour and relaxed. Will have to come back here and spend the night in one of the cabins.

At the City of Rocks we took a short 1.3 mile hike through the rock formations that make up the City of Rocks. These are volcanic Tuff outcrops, nothing real impressive but had to stop in and see what it was about. We then headed back to Silver City for the night. We headed to Hatch the next day to pick up 60 pounds of Hatch Chili, this should last us a year. There is a $5 charge for New Mexico Residents per car and $10 for out of staters.

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Aug 13 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Gila Cliff Dwellings lower West Fork, NM

Hiking		Aug 13 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.50 Miles	609 AEG

Hiking	5.50 Miles	3 Hrs 37 Mns	1.68 mph
	609 ft AEG	21 Mns Break

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Gila Cliff Dwellings

West Fork Trail #151

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mamakatt22

On the Second day of our Silver City Gila Mountains trip we headed up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the West Fork of the Gila River. 44 mile drive to the Cliff dwellings. Luckily no traffic on the road. Took the 1 mile cliff dwelling hike first (about 1.2 miles) then took the lower Gila river West fork trail.

The 1 mile cliff dwelling trail was interesting and I think a must see if in the area. Only one other family was there so not crowded at all. Couple other cars in the parking area and they were hiking on other trails that start at the Cliff dwelling. After the Cliff Dwelling trail we headed up the West Fork of the Gila River. This trail goes on for about 20 miles but we will only have time for 2 miles of it. Light flow of water in the creek and the trail crosses many times; you’re going to get your feet wet. I think many of these trails would require multiple day trips especially when the drive up is 2 hours. Only saw one other group while hiking the trail and they spent a couple of days camping further up stream.

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Aug 12 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Big Tree Trail 755, NM

Hiking		Aug 12 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	4.00 Miles	381 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	1 Hour 50 Mns	2.20 mph
	381 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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Fort Bayard Champion Tree

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mamakatt22

Ginny and I headed to Silver City in New Mexico and the Gila Mountains. I have never been in this section of the Gila Mountains so it was a bit of reconnoitering. It has been a couple months since the Guadalupe Peak hike where I tore my Rotator Cuff and I’m still healing from that and the fact that the weather is a bit warm and dry, I don’t anticipate we will be doing anything too strenuous.
After checking into the hotel and waiting out an afternoon thunderstorm we headed to the Fort Bayard area to hike on the Big Tree Trail. This is a short 4 mile round trip (actually 3.7 if you don’t take the wrong trail to start out with). The destination is a very large Juniper, second largest in the US (First being in California). Hiking this just at sunset and after a summer thunderstorm made for a very pleasant and scenic hike. Crosses a couple of creeks all part the Cameron creek basin. Beautiful walk through a Juniper, grassland and Cottonwood area. A very impressive big Juniper tree.
Easy trail to follow and signage is good. Many other trails crisscross the Fort Bayard area that encompasses the lower Cameron and Twin Creeks drainage. Great area to hike in late day when you only have a short time. The trails from this area can also be the start point for longer hikes up to Twin Sisters Peak and Signal Peak

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Jul 11 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Catwalk Trail, NM

Hiking		Jul 11 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	3.90 Miles	750 AEG

Hiking	3.90 Miles	2 Hrs 35 Mns	1.53 mph
	750 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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Whitewater Trail #207

Catwalk National Recreation Trail

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mamakatt22

On our return to Arizona we stopped in Glenwood New Mexico for two days. Had plans to hike both days but since it was dry and hot we only hiked the whitewater trail. Hiked in about 2 miles before heading back. The creek was dry at the trail head but after about a quarter mile where the canyon narrows there was water flow, couple gallons a minute. After 3 miles the trail spends more time out of the canyon and was getting a little warm, decided to head back.

Couple of work crews out doing trail maintenance. Will have to come back again and hike further up the Whitewater Canyon Trail. Nice area for hiking in the spring or fall. Summer would be nice once the monsoon rains occur but would have to watch for flashfloods.

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Apr 23 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Pratt Trail, TX

Hiking		Apr 23 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.60 Miles	417 AEG

Hiking	5.60 Miles	3 Hrs 27 Mns		1.95 mph
	417 ft AEG	35 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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McKittrick Canyon - Guadalupe Mountains NP

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mamakatt22

On our last day of hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains we hike to Pratt Cabin which is in McKittrick Canyon. This canyon is just north of Pine Spring Canyon where the Guadalupe Peak trail is. For the more energetic hiker and a bit cooler weather there are multiple trails that connect the two canyons. We will only have time to hike to Pratt Cabin on this trip. Beautiful canyon and I already have it on my to do list to come back and hike some of these trails. The creek had water flow in a couple areas but for the most part it was dry. Well worth the short hike if you are ever in the area.
Wallace Pratt bought the property in 1930 and built the cabin in 1931. Beautiful stone work, even the roof was stone. Pratt donated the land to the Guadalupe National Park in 1961 and died in Tucson Arizona in 1981 at 96. Very interesting man, more info on Wikipedia.

	Mckittrick Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Few area with light flow

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Apr 22 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Guadalupe Peak, TX

Hiking		Apr 22 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	9.00 Miles	3,166 AEG

Hiking	9.00 Miles	7 Hrs 58 Mns		1.26 mph
	3,166 ft AEG	48 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Guadalupe Peak Trail - Texas Highpoint

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mamakatt22

On our second day we headed to Guadalupe National Park again to hike the Guadalupe Peak Trail, the Texas High Point. We had already been to the Texas low Point which is Houston. Started this hike at 0830 or 0930 depending what time zone (Supposed to be Central Time but I believe they go by Mountain Time. On the drive in my car GPS and radio kept flipping back and forth.) This hike starts out at a pretty steady climb and never gives up for the 4.2 miles to the peak. At almost 3000 feet elevation gain I likened it to Mount Wrightson in Tucson but this trail is relentless on the step ups so it is much more challenging. I did this hike a few years back on my own and I guess I had forgotten what a challenge it was or I just got older and more of a weeny (you may see me in the Sponge Bob weeny bar). Great hike with great views especially south over El Capitan. Quite a few hikers on the trail and even a couple of trail runners. Spent about an hour at the peak before heading back down.

One mishap on this trip, just as I reached the peak and heading around the monument my boot hung up on a rock and I took a tumble. I spared hitting my head but my shoulder took the brunt of it, Luckily Ginny is a nurse and checked me over (take two aspirin and call me in the morning). My range of motion was extremely limited and it really only bothered me if I moved my arm. I was able to hike back down with my arm in a sling and limited mobility. I even managed to hike the next day. It wasn’t until I got back to Lubbock and got an X-ray that I discovered I broke some bone in my shoulder. On the bright side I can still carry my pack but on the downside I am in Lubbock now with nowhere to hike.

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Apr 21 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Carlsbad Cavern, NM

Hiking		Apr 21 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	2.40 Miles

Hiking	2.40 Miles	3 Hrs	0.80 mph

no routes

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Carlsbad Caverns

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mamakatt22

Ginny and I took a 4 day trip from the flatlands of Lubbock to Carlsbad and Guadalupe National Park. The first day we went to Carlsbad Cavern. The caverns are a self-guided tour of 2.4 miles. We had beautiful weather the whole tour, not a cloud in the sky, fairly constant temperature but a little dark. We contemplated hiking out the way we came in so we would get a little AEG but since we were hiking to Guadalupe Peak the next day we took the elevator out. Don’t suppose we could count the 750 foot elevator ride as AEG.

The town of Carlsbad has grown quite a bit since I was first here in 1982, Lots of new hotels on the north side of town.

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Apr 21 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Devils Hall, TX

Hiking		Apr 21 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	4.10 Miles	705 AEG

Hiking	4.10 Miles	2 Hrs 57 Mns	1.47 mph
	705 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

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Devil's Hall

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mamakatt22

After Carlsbad Caverns we headed down to Guadalupe National Park to do a short 4.1 mile round trip hike to Devil’s Hall. Not a real exciting hike along Pine Spring Canyon, the first mile is along a trail then the last mile is along the creek with lots of rock scrambling. Not really a trail the last mile, more of a route, just stay in the creek bed and choose your path. At about 2 miles in is a stair stepped cliff and a couple hundred yards past that is devils hall. There was a pool of water above the stair steps and that was the only water I saw along the creek. Lots of bees and one single bat at the pool. Headed back to where we started and then back to Carlsbad for the night.

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Mar 05 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

North and South Prong Loop, TX

Hiking		Mar 05 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	9.02 Miles	668 AEG

Hiking	9.02 Miles	5 Hrs 14 Mns	2.17 mph
	668 ft AEG	1 Hour 5 Mns Break

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Wild Horse Trail

Lower North Prong Trail

North Prong Spur Trail

Lower South Prong Trail

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mamakatt22

Desperate for a hike Ginny and I drove to Caprock Canyon State Park. We hiked the Lower North and South Prong Trails of the Little Red River. Arrived at 0800 just in time to see the buffalo herd crossing the road heading to where ever they go during the day. The park was pretty empty with the exception of a few campers. No one on the trails. Fairly easy hiking in this park not a lot of elevation change and the trails are in good condition. The South Prong had a little bit of water in sections from the recent rains but no flow. The weather was in the mid 60's, clear with an occasional light breeze.

The geology of this canyon is fascinating, mainly red Beds with cross cutting Gypsum capped with a couple layers of Calcium carbonate. The Calcium carbonate when polished by the water shows layers of multiple colors. Didn't see any buffalo along the trails but did see a lot of tracks.

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Feb 19 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

White Sands National Monument, NM

Hiking		Feb 19 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	1.10 Miles	30 AEG

Hiking	1.10 Miles
	30 ft AEG

no routes

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Alkali Flats Trail

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mamakatt22

On our third day we headed to Mayhill in the Lincoln Mountains but on the way we stopped at White Sands National Monument to spend a couple hours. Hiked in a short way to try our ability at sledding down the dunes. We took the Alkali Flats Loop Trail that we did a year ago but this time only about a half mile in. The winds from yesterday did a reset on the dunes so they were fresh. A lot easier to walk on the sand dunes here than the ones in Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, the sand here is more packed. Had a great time acting like kids sledding down the dunes. A portion of the park along mile 3.5 and 5 along the park Road is closed due to an F16 crash that occurred last April. Signs along this portion indicate that there is no stopping. Plenty of other areas are still open. Even though the temperatures were in the low 60’s it was quite warm.

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Feb 19 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Lucas Canyon Trail Lower, NM

Hiking		Feb 19 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	3.10 Miles	700 AEG

Hiking	3.10 Miles	1 Hour 30 Mns		2.07 mph
	700 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

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Lucas Canyon Trail #251

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mamakatt22

Had a little bit of time after arriving in Cloudcroft so we hiked the lower portion of the Lucas Canyon Trail along the Russia Canyon Road. We had hiked the upper portion of this trail a couple years back and figured we would hike in 2 miles to complete the lower portion. We made 1.5 miles in before turning around due to lack of time. A bit of snow on the north facing slopes and a light trickle in the Creek. This trail follows an old logging road and for a short 1.5 miles it had a hefty 700 feet AEG. Really beautiful area and the drive along Russia Canyon is worth it if not just for the scenery. Even though the temps were in the high 30’s low 40’s with the sun and no breeze it was comfortable.

Lucas Canyon

Light flow

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Feb 18 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Baylor Pass Trail, NM

Hiking		Feb 18 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	11.40 Miles	2,900 AEG

Hiking	11.40 Miles	6 Hrs 46 Mns		1.79 mph
	2,900 ft AEG	23 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Baylor Pass

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mamakatt22

On our second day in Las Cruces we hiked the Baylor Pass Trail. Baylor Pass is on the far north side of the Organ Mountains and takes you from the West Side of the Organ Mountains overlooking Las Cruces and the Rio Grande Valley to the East side overlooking White Sands Missile Range with the Lincoln Mountains in the distance. This is about a 12 mile round trip hike with about 2900 feet of AEG.
Good trail the whole way with a steady climb up to the pass. Only saw a couple of other hikers the whole day. There is no water along this trail but on the East side trailhead is a campground and picnic area. From the pass there are great views to the West and East. We didn’t spend much time on the pass as it was extremely windy. On the way in the winds were strong enough to push you around at the pass but on the return trip the winds were so strong I locked arms with Ginny and crouched down low to get over the pass. The worst part were the gusts that occurred every so often that would literally throw you back. Was concerned Ginny would blow away and have to climb all the way back up to the pass from the valley below. I have never been in winds so strong. Once over the pass the winds were still an issue but much more manageable. Good hike with views, good way to spend a day if you are ever in the Las Cruces area.

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Feb 17 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Bar Canyon Trail, NM

Hiking		Feb 17 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.30 Miles	1,102 AEG

Hiking	5.30 Miles	3 Hrs 18 Mns		1.64 mph
	1,102 ft AEG	4 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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mamakatt22

On our trip back to Lubbock we stayed in Las Cruces to hike a couple of trails in the Organ Mountains. The first hike was the Bar Canyon Loop Trail on the west side of the Organ Mountains. We hiked it in the CCW direction and took some side treks up toward the Fort Bliss Boundary in Soledad Canyon and Chimney Rock overlook. Also took a side trip up Bar Canyon to a spring.

The Bar Canyon Trail is a combination of old roads and actual trails. There are a lot of side trails and what I call alternate routes along this loop allowing for a little exploration. We did one side trip up to Soledad Pass to the boundary of Fort Bliss and the overlook of Chimney Rock. The other side trip was up Bar Canyon to a spring and what looks like a dam. A little water flow here. The trail/route ends here. We returned to the Bar Canyon Loop and our start point.

This is a short 3 mile loop and with the side trips made for a 5 mile hike, good way to spend the afternoon after the drive from Tucson. This is a fairly heavily used trail especially up to the spring at the end of Bar Canyon. Good view to the west over Las Cruces.

Bar Canyon

Dry

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Feb 12 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Soldier Canyon Trail, AZ

Hiking		Feb 12 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	3.50 Miles	900 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	2 Hrs 9 Mns		1.65 mph
	900 ft AEG	2 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Soldier Trail #706

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mamakatt22

A little spare time yesterday so Ginny and I did a short 3.5 mile hike in the Catalina Mountains on the Soldier Canyon Trail. I did this trail 12 years ago and swore I wouldn't do it again, very steep but short trail. This time we did the upper half and it was still steep but spent a little more time exploring rather than just hiking through. Wow, I missed a lot the first time. Two really large waterfalls along the trail, dry but still interesting. We will have to come again when the creek is running. Getting to the top of the falls is easy because the trail passes by them but getting to the bottom where the falls can be seen might be more of a problem, might require a bit of off trail and rock scrambling. The water falls are spectacular but I was equally amazed by the gneiss, really good exposure along the falls. I was really excited but Ginny not so much, I tried explaining it but same reaction. It was like the look of a deer in your headlights. I get the same excitement with schist, What can I say I'm a Igneous metamorphic Petrology buff. Any way we will have to make this trip again maybe during the Monsoons.

I was reviewing some of the posts from past years of mountaineering down this canyon, looks interesting and definitely the way to explore the canyon but I'm afraid that will have to be another lifetime for me. The trail is in good condition at least the upper 1.5 miles.

	Soldier Canyon	Dry	Dry
	A few pools near the two falls had residual water

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Feb 09 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Lower Tanque Verde Creek, AZ

Hiking		Feb 09 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	2.35 Miles	422 AEG

Hiking	2.35 Miles	1 Hour 45 Mns	1.36 mph
	422 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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Tanque Verde Falls

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mamakatt22

Short hike with Ginny and my daughter Lisa on the Lower Tanque Verde Creek to Tanque Verde Falls. Well maintained trail from the Trail Head down to the Creek. Once in the creek you are on your own. No water flowing in the canyon so it made the route picking much easier. Made it to the base of the lower falls and called it quits there because we weren't into rock climbing. Small pools along the creek but no flow. It was a lot of fun scrambling and finding routes up and down the creek. The weather was a bit warm but not too bad. Not too many people as this is super bowl Sunday.

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Feb 05 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Upper Tanque Verde Creek Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	7.70 Miles	930 AEG

Hiking	7.70 Miles	6 Hrs		1.86 mph
	930 ft AEG	1 Hour 51 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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mamakatt22

Ginny and I took advantage of the great weather and headed to Redington Pass again to hike along another section of Tanque Verde Creek. This time we drove the jeep into our start point about 1 mile in from Redington Pass Road (fairly rough road and requires an empty bladder). The 1 mile section was even worse than the Redington Pass road but still didn't require 4WD, just high clearance and really slow going. Once at our start point we hiked down a dirt road to Italian Trap where we were last week. Fairly good road with a few rough spots but I still think it is easier to walk and usually a hike means walking not driving. Once at the old Cattle tank along Tanque Verde creek we just headed down the Creek. There was no water flowing in the creek with fairly easy walking along the creek either in the creek or on user trails along the creek (either human or cow trails). At about 4 miles in we came to a rocky section of the creek known as Tanque Verde Pools. The pools had quite a bit of water, too cold to go swimming and it didn't look real appetizing either. Followed along the pools in the creek but the lower two large pools required us to take a bypass route higher up along the side of the creek then drop back down into the creek and approach the pools from the other side.

Spent about an hour by the pools had lunch then headed back along the creek and then along a long dirt jeep trail. I really don't like walking along jeep trails, very tiring. We had the whole area to ourselves, didn't see a single person the whole hike. Would be nice to come up here when the creek is flowing and the water a bit warmer, of coarse that also attracts more people.

Saw a couple of javelina on our drive in, one deer in the distance and just about a tenth mile from my home a bobcat looking for one of ours neighbors pets. As I mentioned earlier there appeared to be no one around which I thought was really odd but on our drive out we saw at least 50 of those off road vehicles coming in along Redington Pass Road. They were in packs of 10 to 15 in a group and we saw at least 4 of those groups. Could tell they were coming by the large dust cloud in the distance.

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Jan 31 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

AZT Redington Pass East, AZ

Hiking		Jan 31 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	10.70 Miles	1,550 AEG

Hiking	10.70 Miles	6 Hrs 25 Mns		2.06 mph
	1,550 ft AEG	1 Hour 13 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Redington Pass - AZT #10

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mamakatt22

Returned to Redington Pass to hike the Eastern section of the Arizona Trail #10. We started along Redington Pass Road and headed north to a wash crossing that we had done before. After a short break we returned to our start point and headed south along the trail to the Italian Spring Trail head at Tanque Verde Creek. On our return trip we took the Italian trap 2 track back to our start point. I wanted to check out the road to see if it was passable and a means of getting to the Italian Spring Trail Head. It is but not sure it is worth it to bypass 2.3 miles of hiking (4.6 round trip). Would probably take as long to drive as the 2.3 miles along the Arizona Trail would take to walk.

Great hike with good weather, the little bit of rain we received a few days ago was barely noticeable, although it did put snow on the Rincons. Very dry and the cattle are complaining. The area around Tanque Verde Creek is interesting even though the creek was dry. Italian Trap area has lots of ranching history and there is a lot to see in this area. The steel water tank at Italian Trap along the creek was empty and the side broken out of it. Ten years ago the tank was full with water being pumped into it. Plan on doing another hike this time from the Chivo Falls North entrance and hike up Tanque Verde Creek to Italian Trap, I remember this was a scenic portion of Tanque Verde Creek.

Italian Trap Tank

26-50% full

White Tank

26-50% full

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Jan 26 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Tanque Verde Creek, AZ

Hiking		Jan 26 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	3.10 Miles	350 AEG

Hiking	3.10 Miles	2 Hrs 22 Mns		1.44 mph
	350 ft AEG	13 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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mamakatt22

We had a little bit of time for a short hike close to home so we opted for Tanque Verde Creek. We started at the upper trail head that heads down into the wash where it ended (We avoided Tanque Verde Falls because the creek was dry and it usually is a zoo of people). The rest of the hike is a route up the creek. We hiked to Aliso Canyon where there is an old two track that makes a loop to the east toward Chivo falls. We didn't have time for that but it is an interesting hike I did a few years back and maybe at another date we will do that.

Not sure what to put as AEG so I went with what it said when I uploaded the route. My GPS said 550 and the topo map said 280. Hard route to get an accurate mileage or AEG, lots of ups and downs as you climb over, around or under rocks in the creek bed. What ever the AEG I believe a correction factor should be added for Ginny as she is 20% shorter than me and one small step for me is a giant step for her. Really beautiful canyon with all the polished rocks, easier to maneuver since the only water was in occasional pools. Canyon opens up just before Aliso Canyon and easier to walk in.

A lot has changed in this area since I last hiked here, there are now expanded parking lots at the upper and lower trail heads and a trail that connects them, also the trail down to the creek has been improved. Just as a side note the area down by the creek at the end of the trail has been posted as clothing optional. If hiking in this creek during monsoon season be aware of flash flooding.

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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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