OllieDood's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jan 10 2025

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Swampy Canyon, AZ

Hiking		Jan 10 2025
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking

Hiking

no routes

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I had never hiked this far up this canyon. Wasn't expecting it to be so swampy, especially with the lack of recent precipitation. That baseflow keeps streams 'a flowin though.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Jan 06 2025

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Graver Wash - Apache Creek - FR 95B - FR 95A, AZ

Hiking		Jan 06 2025
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	14.61 Miles

Hiking	14.61 Miles	6 Hrs 24 Mns	2.28 mph

no routes

Linked

linked

Graver Wash Trail #9904 - Prescott NF

Apache Creek Trail #9905

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no partners

I've been wanting to get out to Apache Creek for a while but I thought the access would be tricky due to the private property along Walnut Creek Rd. I came out here a few weeks prior and hiked up the hill in the northwest corner of the wilderness boundary but once the dogs and I got to the top, descending the steep, rocky, cactus covered south slope did not seem appealing. We ended up hiking along the South Fork of Walnut Creek which was beautiful and flowing nicely for most of its length. On the drive home I took a detour up FR 95 to see if there was access towards Apache Creek and check the road condition. FR 95 is in good condition and easily passible in a 2002 Honda CRV.

So I returned and was eager to explore Apache Creek. I parked at a small pullout (34.90213, -112.85529) off of FR 95A when the road became too rough. The short hike to the Graver Wash Trail and down the Graver Wash Trail to Apache Creek was filled with Pinyon Pine and was very pleasant. Apache Creek is the eastern boundary of the wilderness and gets lots of use from cattle

. I didn't see any cows on this day but we saw plenty of cow poop.

The Apache Creek trail crossed the creek several times but was never too hard to follow. Once the trail leaves the creek there is less sign of cattle use and more granite outcrops. We took a break on a large low angle granite slab right off the trail about a mile northeast of Granite Knob. There were great view of Juniper Mesa to the north, Walnut Creek and the ranches along it to the east, and Hyde Mountain to the south. There was more cattle sign near the south end of the trail as we neared Hyde Creek. We took FR 95B and 95A on the way back and saw Upper Hyde Spring. It's hard to miss since it is in the middle of FR 95B.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] One-seed Juniper

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apache Creek - Apache Creek Wilderness Apache Creek Wilderness Hyde Creek Upper Hyde Spring

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

3 archives

Jan 04 2025

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

A Very Rocky Canyon, AZ

Hiking		Jan 04 2025
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking

Hiking

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I biked the first two miles or so to the mouth of the tributary canyon. Saw a massive elk at one of the stock tanks. I also saw two groups of at least 15 deer. I saw one group on the way in and one on the way out. The first canyon had several large obstacles that involved some scrambling and problem solving but each obstacle had a fairly easy solution. The main canyon had some massive boulders in it. The water in the main canyon looked deep and a beautiful dark blue green color. I will have to return during warmer weather with a floatie for my pack for further exploration.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Jan 27 2024

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Red Flat / Horseshoe Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jan 27 2024
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	7.00 Miles

Hiking	7.00 Miles

no routes

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Ollie and I hiked from Perkinsville Road down to the Verde River through a seemingly unnamed canyon I called Red Flat Canyon. The hike started with great views of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Bill Williams Mountain to the north. There was lots of interesting geology throughout the canyon including metamorphic rock and water carved limestone narrows. A couple of the narrow limestone sections were tricky to navigate with a dog but Ollie did great. The shadier sections of the canyon had some junipers and there was a large patch of mesquite trees just south of the train tracks.

When we got down to the train tracks we followed them east for just a few minutes until we arrived at the mouth of Horseshoe Canyon. We followed Horseshoe Canyon down to the Verde River and had lunch there. We took Horseshoe Canyon on the way back before hiking out of the canyon and crossing a saddle back towards where we had parked on Perkinsville Road.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Christmas Cholla

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Dec 19 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Transrept - Hiline - Slim Shady Loop, AZ

Hiking		Dec 19 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	8.85 Miles	1,132 AEG

Hiking	8.85 Miles	4 Hrs 48 Mns	1.84 mph
	1,132 ft AEG

no routes

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linked

Transept Trail - Sedona

Hiline Trail - Sedona

Slim Shady Trail

Partners

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no partners

Made a nice loop starting on the Transept Trail starting on Verde Valley School Rd. I did a clockwise loop connecting Transept, Hiline, Slim Shady, Made in the Shady and Castle Rocks trails. There was a small bit of scrambling down the saddle between North and South Castle Rock but nothing too bad. I just stuck to the north side of the saddle. Saw among other things, what I assume was a dead coyoyte, many cool towers, and a beautiful boulder with a perfect 20' handcrack.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Dec 18 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Cherry Creek - Cherry AZ, AZ

Hiking		Dec 18 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	4.13 Miles

Hiking	4.13 Miles	1 Hour 33 Mns	2.66 mph

no routes

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I stopped in Cherry on the way back from Phoenix to stretch my legs. This looked like a nice area with lots of ponderosas and maybe even some springs. The only spring that had some water was Log Springs and it only had a trickle. I ended up hiking out to Medlar Spring which was completely dry. On the hike back I got some nice views of the rest of the Black Hills. I always wonder what areas such as the Black Hills looked like a long time ago when they were more forested. After my hike I took Cherry Road north, back to the 260. This was a super cool drive that I had never done before. There were some great views of Sedona with the Peaks in the background. The Boulder Creek / Cherry Creek area just southwest of the Grief Hill Trailhead looks quite interesting. I hope to check it out in the near future.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Log Springs

	Log Springs	Dripping	Dripping
	Light flow, not the most appealing looking water. See photo in triplog / photoset

	Medlar Spring	Dry	Dry
	Couldn't find any water or signs of a spring in the area.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Dec 08 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Jack's Canyon Trail #55

Sedona, AZ

Jack's Canyon Trail #55

Sedona, AZ

Hiking		Dec 08 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	9.60 Miles

Hiking	9.60 Miles	6 Hrs	1.60 mph

no routes

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Hiked up some side drainages to get a better view of some big rocks. After getting back home I realized I had been aiming for the rocks in the next drainage to the north which are even taller. Oh well, guess I'll have to hike out there again. Got well acquainted with plenty of scrub oak. Saw a cool mini tower with a large room at the top. I will have to hike up to it sometime soon. When we got back to the trailhead we explored some trails that head up Horse Mesa and connect to the Hot Loops trail. The pup enjoyed himself.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sugar Sumac

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Dec 02 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Red Tank Draw

Camp Verde, AZ

Red Tank Draw

Camp Verde, AZ

Hiking		Dec 02 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	2.00 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	200 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Took a short mid-day hike with the pup. Finally remembered to bring my copy of A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona By Anne Orth Epple with me. Saw some beautiful yellow narrow leaf cottonwoods and Arizona Sycamores. Took a break on a nice slick rock beach next to some trickling water. Saw a very old car that had gone off the 689 road and landed upside down a long time ago. Next time I'm down here I'll hike up at it and take a better look. I thought I was going to see a Jeeper try to cross the draw on the 645A road which I would have thought to be impressive but they thought better of it and turned around.

Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Jun 27 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

James Canyon Pumphouse Wash and Mortgage Spr, AZ

Hiking		Jun 27 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	3.30 Miles

Hiking	3.30 Miles	3 Hrs	1.10 mph

no routes

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James Canyon

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Trying to find a dog friendly way into James Canyon and Pumphouse Wash from the 253 off of Newman Park exit. Last week we tried going north down the Wilson Seep drainage but that was filled with fallen trees which quickly became annoying and very tiring. Yesterday we tried the climber's trail off of 253G. I was worried how the pup would do with the steep slab I remembered from years ago but we did not make it that far due to some required steep scramble/downlclimb that did not interest him. We still had a good time that day enjoying the views of Pumphouse Wash and eating grass respectively.

Today we tried getting down to James Canyon via the drainage just north of the northern end of the 253G. We parked at the junction of 253 and 253G and followed the 253G until we hit the powerlines. We turned east here and followed the powerlines downhill until hitting the 9468W. I decided to follow this old road as long as I could to save us time of having to jump over dead trees in the drainage as much as possible. To my surprise the 9468W continued further than GAIA or the Forest Service maps on CalTopo indicated.

When we reached the end of it we found a small trail leading down into James Canyon. We followed it to the canyon floor. There we were met with lots of riparian brush and basalt and limestone on the canyon floor. We continued to the west until we very quickly arrived in Pummphouse Wash. Here we turned south and after just a minute or two came across a very large pool that neither of us wanted to cross. I admired that Coconino sandstone and Kaibab limestone as well as the riparian flora.

On the way back we went by Mortgage Spring. It trickled at a rate of maybe a quart a minute. It is a beautiful little area around the spring with many junipers around the area that the spring and the drainage has cut through the basalt bedrock. From there we followed a nice wide flat drainage to the south back towards where we had began.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] New Mexico Locust

Wildflowers Observation Light

Mortgage Spring

Quart per minute

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

Jun 21 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Mormon Mountain Wanderings, AZ

Hiking		Jun 21 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	4.00 Miles	1,275 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	1,275 ft AEG

no routes

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Spent a few hours in the morning exploring a drainage on Mormon Mountain that I had not hiked before. I parked off of the 132A just a minute or so past Rock Dike Tank. From there I followed an old skid trail up the south side of the mountain. The skid trail was easy to follow besides having to step over plenty of downed trees courtesy of last winter's heavy snowfall. The slope of the skid trail stayed gentle for longer than I expected. Once the grade started to increase I was glad to have my trekking poles with me but the steepness was not too bad. After about 30 or so minutes I hit the 648 road and followed that until I hit the Mormon Mountain Trail.

After just a moment the Mormon Mountain trail turns south. I veered off the trail and headed east following another skid trail. This skid trail appears to not have been used for quite some time because it is choked full of dead and down aspens and ponderosas. Eventually the skid trail disappeared so I just kept following the drainage downhill to the east.

I came upon a buck that was grazing in a small opening only about 60 feet in front of me. I was downwind of it and it did not notice me, so I stopped and admired it. After only a couple minutes, two more bucks appeared . Eventually after about 10 minutes I decided to make some noise so they would run off and I could continue my hike.

My destination now was a prominent east facing drainage that is easily visible from the junction of the AZT and Mormon Mountain trail if you look to the northeast. I had seen the cliffs in this canyon many times over the years but had not gotten around to hiking up to them before. The canyon is composed off some sort of extrusive igneous rock, maybe andesite or rhyolite I can't say for certain. All I can say, is that its volcanic and doesn't look like the dacite found on Elden or basalt. None the less it was a beautiful canyon. Two nearby peregrine falcons made it known that my presence was not appreciated as I wandered down the slope.

I didn't want to make my hike too long so I scrambled up the north side of this canyon and was rewarded with wonderful views of the Mormon Lake Valley. I made my way back towards the way I had came passing by Mormon Mountain Tank, which was pretty full. All in all it was a great short morning hike.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

3 archives

Jan 03 2023

OllieDood

Routes 1
Photos 108
Triplogs 11

32 male

Joined Aug 16 2018
MP, AZ

Crystal Point Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Crystal Point Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jan 03 2023
		OllieDood • Triplogs 11

Hiking	5.36 Miles	669 AEG

Hiking	5.36 Miles	3 Hrs 2 Mns	1.77 mph
	669 ft AEG

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I walked down to the Munds Canyon bridge on Pinewood Blvd to see how much the river was flowing. It wasn't as strong as it was two days ago but it was still impressive. Started recording my track from the bridge. From there I started going up the Crystal Point trail from its lower end by Odell Lake. I like this section to Crystal Point much more than the section from the FR 240 trailhead to Crystal Point. There was probably about 1 - 1.5 feet of snow on the trail which certainly slowed me down. It wasn't too bad to stay on trail but I did manage to lose it briefly twice. Near the top I saw a bunch of turkeys.

_____________________

On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings

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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