markthurman53's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Dec 04 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Happy Valley Saddle, AZ

Hiking		Dec 04 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	9.20 Miles	2,352 AEG

Hiking	9.20 Miles	7 Hrs 6 Mns	1.39 mph
	2,352 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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Miller Creek Trail #28

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mamakatt22

Happy Valley Saddle was calling again so Ginny and I headed Happy Valley and hiked up the Miller Canyon Trail. Started out about 0900 in the morning with temps in the upper 30's. I had not been on this trail since 2019 when I hiked over the pass to Madrona Ranger Station. The trail is still as steep as it was back then but now it is in worse condition. Still easy to follow and if you do wander off trail it only takes a few feet to figure you're off the trail. Great weather and crystal clear sky's, could see the snow peaked Mount Graham and Dos Cabeza's and the Chiricahua Mountains.

There was water flowing in Miller Creek in places but mostly dry. A few spots along the trail had water or maybe I should call them seepages. Perfect weather for hiking, cool in the 50's with no breeze, felt good at the Happy valley campground to sit in the sun and have our lunch/snack. Not one of the easier ways to get up to the Rincon's but it is probably the shortest. The constant step ups get old and if you are a short person it's even worse. I miss the old route through Madrona up Rincon Creek and Heartbreak Ridge to get to Manning Camp. The sign indicated Happy Valley Campground was 4.6 miles my GPS read 9 round trip Ginny's read 9.4 round trip, we are going with 9.2 miles

	Miller Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Real light flow in spots

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Nov 29 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Bridal Wreath Ernie Falls Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 29 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	10.00 Miles	1,923 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	6 Hrs 14 Mns	1.82 mph
	1,923 ft AEG	44 Mns Break

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Douglas Spring Trail

Wildhorse Trail - Saguaro NP

Three Tank Trail - Saguaro NP

Bridal Wreath

Ernie's Falls Trail - Saguaro NP

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mamakatt22

Good day to check out the conditions of Bridal Wreath and Ernie Falls. Started out on the Douglas Spring Trail at the end of Speedway. It was Saturday morning around 9:30 so lots of people at the trail head parking, luckily most were doing other trails in the park. The desert is looking really good thanks to the rains of Sept through November. All the larger creeks had a light flow. Bridal Wreath Falls had a light flow as with Ernie Falls. We took the Three Tanks Trail down to the Carrillo Trail then to Wild Horse Tanks. Checked on my favorite saguaro and it is doing fine, May not be the largest saguaro but I haven't seen too many others in such good health and as many arms. Returned on the Wild Horse Tank Trail. Trying to make this hike 10 miles and I just squeaked by.

Wild Horse Canyon

Light flow

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Nov 23 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Quilter Trail Lower, AZ

Hiking		Nov 23 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	10.10 Miles	1,693 AEG

Hiking	10.10 Miles	5 Hrs 16 Mns		2.07 mph
	1,693 ft AEG	23 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Quilter Trail

Hope Camp Trail

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mamakatt22

alleluia, Back in Arizona. Didn't get much hiking while in Lubbock except for a few excursions to New Mexico, Utah and Nevada. Had a little time so we hiked in Saguaro National Park along the Hope Camp and Quilter Trail. Headed in 5 miles before turning around. The desert is looking good, the rains in the last few months have turned the desert green. Lots of people at the Comino Loma Alta Trail Head, runners, bikers and a few hikers. partially cloudy and occasionally some real light rain. Crystal clear sky's.

The 1.35 mile creek along the Quilter had a good flow. (Rincon Creek at the Comino Loma Alta crossing was dry). At the creek crossing 2.5 miles in along the Quilter just below the ridge we saw lots of Feather Trees, more of a bush(Little Leaf False Tamarind). Wasn't sure what this plant was so we had to do a little research when we got back. We found this article

The feather trees are blooming! A prime example of the park’s unique biodiversity, this stunning legume (Lysiloma watsonii) is very rare in the U.S., with wild populations only known around the southwest-facing “inside corner” of the Rincon Mountains. Also known as littleleaf false tamarind or “fern of the desert”

We also saw a very unusual crested saguaro about 2 miles in along the Quilter Trail. Wasn't too visible on the hike up but on the way down this 10 foot high saguaro with about 50 heads was visible. Very unusual specimen. On my GPS route you can see on our return trip where we went off trail about 50 feet to get a closer view. If you aren't looking carefully it is easy to miss. I've hiked this trail at least 3 other times and missed it. I posted some pictures of it.

	Coyote Wash	Dry	Dry
	standing water in spots along the creek

Quilter Trail - 1.35mi Water Crossing

Medium flow

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Nov 14 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

First Creek, NV

Hiking		Nov 14 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	4.06 Miles	600 AEG

Hiking	4.06 Miles	2 Hrs 28 Mns	1.67 mph
	600 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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First Creek Canyon Trail

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mamakatt22

On the 14th we hiked along the First Creek Trail. This is a 2 mile hike in the Red Rock Canyon area just west of the park. About 2 miles in the trail ends where the canyon walls close in. I suppose you could go in further but it would be a bushwhack and rock scramble. Joshua Trees along the lower portion of the trail. No running water but pools along the creek in the upper canyon. During the wet seasons there are some water falls in this area. Did see 4 burros on our return trip. They were kind enough to let us photograph them. Amazing view of the mountain ridge along the west side of Red Rock Canyon.

	First Creek	Dry	Dry
	Pools in upper canyon, no running water

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Nov 13 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Turtlehead Peak, NV

Hiking		Nov 13 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	3.56 Miles	1,088 AEG

Hiking	3.56 Miles	2 Hrs 33 Mns	1.41 mph
	1,088 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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Turtlehead Mountain

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mamakatt22

Our first hike while in Red Rock Canyon was Turtlehead Peak. Wasn't sure we would have time to make the peak because we had a dinner engagement that evening. I had done this hike a few years back and it is definitely a challenge. We made it up to just below the saddle and had to turn around. Great views of all of Red Rock Canyon.

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Nov 12 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Dinosaur Tracks Fort Pearce, UT

Hiking		Nov 12 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	1.40 Miles	150 AEG

Hiking	1.40 Miles	2 Hrs	0.70 mph
	150 ft AEG

no routes

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Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site

Fort Pierce Red Man

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mamakatt22

On our trip from Lubbock to Las Vegas for the Marine Corps Ball we stayed in St George one night. The next day we spent some time trying to get in a little hiking after the long dry spell in Lubbock. Our first stop was at Sand Hollow Sand Dunes OHV park South of St George but other than the views from the park were not too interested in driving around in the Jeep through the dunes. Our next attempt at hiking would be at the Warner Valley Dinosaur Park. The Dinosaur tracks are about 9 miles in on Warner Valley dirt road (Drivable with any vehicle). Not much of a hike, about .25 miles to the tracks but we added a little by following the stream a little further. Back at the parking area we talked to a man that was a tour guide for a group of people and he gave us a brief history of Fort Pearce and the Honeymoon Trail. He recommended that we stop at Fort Pearce and head down the wash from the fort about .25 miles to see the Writing on the cliffs of the couples that travelled through here between 1850 to 1900 on their way from Arizona to St George to get married at the Mormon temple. Very interesting and a must stop if in this area. Not much hiking here about 1.4 miles and maybe 150 feet elevation gain if you count the number of times climbing in and out of the Jeep.

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Nov 12 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Mouse Tank White Dome Loop, NV

Hiking		Nov 12 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	2.20 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles	2 Hrs	1.10 mph
	200 ft AEG

no routes

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Mouse's Tank

White Dome Loop

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mamakatt22

After leaving Utah and the magnificent drive along Hwy 15 through the Virgin Gorge (can't believe they were able to put a Hwy through here) we stopped in the Valley of Fire State Park. We had been here before but had not hiked the Mouse Tank Trail. This is a short 1 mile hike through a canyon that dead ends with a tank and a drop-off to the lower canyon. Interesting but an easy walk, lots of petroglyphs along the way.

Our next stop was at the end of the park road to the White Dome Loop trail. We had done this hike before but at that time added the Fire wave loop portion to it to make the hike a little more respectable. This time we only had time for the White Dome Loop. Very scenic and worth doing again.

We did see the usual park pets, Big Horn Sheep that were showing off along the road. I think these big horn did something wrong and were sentenced to showing off for the tourist, kind of like the elk and deer at Grand Canyon. You screw up and you get stuck with showing off for the tourist, wonder how long their sentence is.

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Sep 19 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Twin Sisters Creek Loop, NM

Hiking		Sep 19 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	10.20 Miles	953 AEG

Hiking	10.20 Miles	5 Hrs 35 Mns	2.01 mph
	953 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

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mamakatt22

On our last day in Silver City we went back to the Fort Bayard area. This time we would be hiking to the Twin Sisters Creek. Started out at the Big Tree Trail Head but took the Forest Service Nursery Trail #757, then the Wood Haul Wagon Trail #55 to the Sawmill Wagon Trail #243 to Twin Sisters Creek. On the return Trip we took the west end of the Big Tree Trail #755 to the Cornell Ranch Trail #758 back to the Forest Service Nursery Trail to our start point. Kind of a round about loop but with the other 4 trips that we hiked in this area we pretty much did all the trails in Fort Bayard (there are a few more small sections still not done and some areas that need further exploring).

The three main creeks in the Fort Bayard area from west to east are the Twin Sisters Creek, Cameron Creek and Stevens Creek. All had been flowing the night before and Cameron Creek was still running. The area is really green from all the rain. The Cornell Ranch trail, 1.1 mile trail was a real surprise, pleasant walk along Cameron Creek with giant trees and green meadows.

Saw lots of bear sign and finally near Twin Sisters Creek in a light drizzle we saw a bear. No chance to get a picture, we both noticed each other about the same time and it took off running. One deer along Cornell Creek and a Golden Eagle. Actually saw two one in the morning and one in the afternoon on our return trip, possibly the same one since it was in the same vicinity. Some debate as to weather this was a red tailed hawk or a Golden Eagle, they look similar. From the size of it it I believe Eagle. Either way it was large.

Finished this hike and we headed south toward Demming and spent the night in a cabin at Faywood Hot Springs. Pleasant hot spring in the middle of the desert. They have private pools, clothing optional public pools and for the shy regular pools. The soak was most refreshing. Worth the stay if you are in the area.

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Sep 18 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Twin Sisters Trail, NM

Hiking		Sep 18 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	9.40 Miles	1,864 AEG

Hiking	9.40 Miles	6 Hrs 20 Mns	1.62 mph
	1,864 ft AEG	31 Mns Break

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Twin Sisters via Continental Divide Trail

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mamakatt22

On our second day in Silver City we hiked the Twin Sisters Trail, part of the Continental Divide Trail. While hiking in the Fort Bayard area I was kind of fascinated by the two peaks called the Twin Sisters so it's time to hike up to them. The trail Head is along the road to the Gila Cliff Dwellings (hwy15) just a mile or so past the little town of Pinos Altos. This is also part of the continental Divide Trail.

The first 2 miles is fairly steep but the trail is in good condition, follows old mining roads in sections and trail in other sections. Once on the ridge the steepness eases up until the last mile where it gets steep again. Just below the saddle between the Twin Sisters you leave the Continental Divide Trail and head up the hill to the saddle. There is a faint route that takes you up to the east side of the saddle.

Thunder and lightning just as we started heading down but didn't rain until just before we got back to our start point. Great views to the North over the Gila Mountains. Felt good to do a hike with some AEG, hadn't done that since last April when we hiked up Guadalupe Peak.

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Sep 17 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Fort Bayard Rec Trail, NM

Hiking		Sep 17 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	6.20 Miles	8,178 AEG

Hiking	6.20 Miles	3 Hrs 54 Mns	1.72 mph
	8,178 ft AEG	18 Mns Break

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Fort Bayard Champion Tree

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mamakatt22

On our return trip to Lubbock Ginny and I stopped off at Silver City for a couple days of hiking. Too dry in Tucson for hiking but not so in the Gila Mountains. Really green from the almost daily rains. After arriving in Silver City we headed to the Fort Bayard area and took the Big Tree Trail again, this time though we are going to go further up creek (Cameron Creek) from the big tree. No trail along this route but easy to follow game trails. We would then do a little bush whacking and head over to the wood Haul Trail #55 then return on the Stevens Ranch Trail #756.

Started out around 2:30 with thunder clouds overhead (they were heading to the northeast so luckily they weren't an issue.) We took the Big Tree Trail #755 to the Big Tree like on our previous trip but this time we headed further up Cameron Creek. Followed game trails along the west side of the creek and the going was pretty easy. Dropped down into the creek and the canyon becomes kind of dark and eerie, lots of enormous trees and signs of past ranching/mining. The source of the water in the pipe that we crossed along the Big Tree Trail I suspect is from Comanche spring in this canyon. Didn't make it to the spring due to the fact that it would require us wading through water in the creek. Quite a network of pipes in this canyon. Spooked out some bats from one of the rock cliffs and saw one of the largest bear tracks I have ever seen (baring the grizzlies in Glacier Park) Had to be from earlier today because it rained the night before. We followed the pipeline out which required some Bush whacking to get to the Wood Haul Wagon Trail #55. Spotted a large dead bird that turned out to be a Golden Eagle. Feathers and skeletal remains, The talons on this guy were 2 to 3 inches long. Very interesting Canyon and may require some more exploring on a future trip.

Cameron Creek was running in places. All other creek crossings had been running from the rains the night before but not running when we crossed.

Once on the Wood Haul Wagon Trail #55 the going was pretty easy. This is a two track trail as the name would imply. At the junction with the Stevens Ranch Trail #756 the Wood Haul Trail heads on up toward Black Peak and the Continental Divide Trail. We took the Stevens Ranch Trail back to our start point.

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Sep 06 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Cienega Creek, AZ

Hiking		Sep 06 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	1.80 Miles	117 AEG

Hiking	1.80 Miles	1 Hour 2 Mns	1.74 mph
	117 ft AEG

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mamakatt22

More of a stroll along Cienega Creek to see if it was running from the recent rain. Yes there was a bit of water running in sections along the bridge section. Evidence that it was running harder the night before. Always beautiful here, storms to the south in the Cienega upper basin so will probably be running again tonight.

	Davidson Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Light flow in sections

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Sep 04 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Camino Loma Alta, AZ

Hiking		Sep 04 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	3.50 Miles	312 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1 Hour 33 Mns	2.26 mph
	312 ft AEG

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Hope Camp Trail

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mamakatt22

Another short walk in Saguaro National Park, again at the Camino Loma Alta Trail Head. It has been quite warm and dry so there weren't much options close by for a very late afternoon hike. This time we hiked to the ridge between Deer Camp and Hope Camp before turning around. Got back to the car just as it was getting dark. Don't want to be on the trail if we can't see the snakes.

This trail is excellent just before sunset, views of the sunset are usually spectacular. There are options of the Ridgeview or Ruiz- Coyote Creek Trails depending on time constraints. No Rattlesnakes this time (Tiger or Diamondback) but we did bump into a tortoise heading west along the trail as we were heading east. Felt bad for it because it is so dry here. Wanted to take it home and give it food and water with my tortoises at home but that's a big NO NO, (don't even pick them up or they will expel a bunch of fluid which would be a bad thing for it in this dry weather). It will do just fine, it's been around probably 10 years and it has seen dry seasons before. As an after note it rained .5 inches at my house last night around midnight and maybe more along Tanque Verde Ride, I thought about the tortoise, probably doing a jig in delight for the water.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Desert Tortoise

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Aug 26 2025

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Camino Loma Alta, AZ

Hiking		Aug 26 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

Hiking	3.00 Miles	234 AEG

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

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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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Dragon Fly Loop, NM

Hiking		Aug 14 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

City of Rocks, NM

Hiking		Aug 14 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Gila Cliff Dwellings lower West Fork, NM

Hiking		Aug 13 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Big Tree Trail 755, NM

Hiking		Aug 12 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Catwalk Trail, NM

Hiking		Jul 11 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Pratt Trail, TX

Hiking		Apr 23 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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 999
Photos 12,241
Triplogs 876

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Guadalupe Peak, TX

Hiking		Apr 22 2025
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 876

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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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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