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| Hiking | 12.90 Miles |
2,071 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.90 Miles | | | |
| 2,071 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | After hitting up Bearazona on Saturday, made the long drive up to the Blue Range Primitive Area on Sunday afternoon. Originally, there were four of us who were going to be car camping and a couple of us hiking; however, the other group flaked, so my thought of a shuttle hike went out the window. Made it to the Blue Range around 5 pm to light rain and temps in the low 60s. We found a nice campsite near the Bonanza Bill TH, set up camp, and made dinner. The backup plan was to hike from Bonanza Bill to Cow Flat to Franz Spring, which was roughly a 15-mile round trip; however, I continue to have issues with my left posterior tibial tendon, so I was unsure how far I would be able to go.
It was a nice 55 degrees at the start; however, it was already humid from the rain the night before. Bonanza Bill was in pretty good shape overall; there was some deadfall, but it was fairly easy to navigate past. Made it over to the Hinkle Spring area, but did not climb down into Hinkle Spring Canyon to check the water situation, as I was trying to be conservative on the ankle. We continued the small climb up Bonanza Bill to the Tige Rim Trail, where it starts a rocky descent. This was the worst section of the day, and my ankle hated me for it. Tons of loose rocks and no shade at all. After hiking through Bonanza Bill Flat, we arrived at the Cow Flat junction, where we rested and hydrated. At this point, my ankle was killing me, and the humidity had really cranked up from storms all around us, so we decided to call it a day from there. The hike back was a slow, hot grind, and with a bum ankle, it felt like it took forever. As we started back, the dark clouds came in, as did the thunder. We got about 5 minutes of sprinkles, and that was it, fortunately. Got back to the truck around 4, cleaned up, and had a late lunch before making the 5-hour drive back to the valley. Just as we were leaving the TH, the skies opened up and it poured on the drive back up to the 191. Probably my last trip to the Blue Range this year, with fall around the corner and me needing to take some time to heal this ankle. Saw a ton of elk, including a nice-sized bull and a flock of turnkey. Thanks, S, for joining me. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee.  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
). We continued down Pinto Creek to Rock Creek and jumped on Bull Basin, stopping for a hydration break before turning around at the Rock Creek junction. Even though it was only 1.5 miles back to the truck, it was hot with it sitting at 97 degrees already, which is way above my threshold. On the way back down, we parked along the road to attempt to check out the Coon Spring Cave. After spending some time looking for the best route up to the entrance and trying a few that were not feasible, we called it, looking to come back when it's cooler out and my ankle is healed. Even though it was short, it was good to get out in the Supes again.](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
. Stephanie mentioned this to him, and he did not care; there was no ranger around to let them know. Marshall Gulch was a beautiful riparian area with water flowing almost the entire way down (sorry Stephanie). There were hordes of people at the th/picnic area, so it felt like a long wait to get picked up, even though it wasn't. Even though it was warm, the views from this area are absolutely worth it, and the swim was a nice bonus.
but once you get past the Ellison Ranch it is a poop show. Slow going as we drove to the Pueblo Canyon drainage and decided most of our fillings had rattled out, and turned around. Tons of water on the Pueblo Creek and Devils Chasm drainages, and some portions of Cherry Creek were flowing swimming pools. Hit up a couple of 'roads' scouting out some areas for the fall, and then a quick 'hike' to site V:5:61.It was 104, however, it wasn't that bad in the shade under the cliffs. Thanks, S, for joining our list keeps getting longer. 
After going through the 2024 Deer Fire burn, we reached a saddle that was the high point. With the rain, we decided not to hike down to Bear Spring but to find some cover, eat lunch, and head back. The rain stopped for just long enough for a couple of pics of the peak, but the clouds kept the true colors at bay. Except for the rain getting heavier and my feet being soaked, it was an uneventful hike back out to Peely. The trail is in good shape for most of the way, there is some brushiness about halfway to the saddle that gave me a nice soaking after pushing through it. Came across 7 other hikers, most going NOBO, but 1 going SOBO. This section has some beautiful scenery, which would have been better without the soaking.
Great hike with great company, thanks B & S for the invite!
