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Jun 20 2021
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 Guides 1
 Routes 226
 Photos 1,675
 Triplogs 1,867

65 male
 Joined Oct 17 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
Tonto Creek Bear Flat to HellsgatePayson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 20 2021
rcorfmanTriplogs 1,867
Hiking6.93 Miles 724 AEG
Hiking6.93 Miles   9 Hrs   15 Mns   0.87 mph
724 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This was my first foray into Tonto Creek. The plan was to find the first two stages of multi-cache geocache Mad Shartin. We started the down the creek about 8:45 but by 1:00 we were still 0.62 crow miles from the 2nd stage. With the pace we were going we figured we'd need at least 2 hours to get back where we were, probably 3. That would have us finishing in the dark so we had a beer and headed back instead.

This is a really beautiful route but you pay for the views with blood and sweat. I don't want to think about how many times I slipped and fell in the creek, dragged my shin across rocks, banged my knees, etc. I really had a great time! The water was a perfect temperature. We were never cold even though we spent most of the time sloshing through the creek.

For wildlife, we saw lots of crawdads and fish of course. The man I was with saw a bald eagle, and we saw an AZ Black rattler.

I was really beat up after this. Clamoring over the rocks, stumbling, and picking myself up throughout the day, was more work than my upper body has done for a long while. My shoulders and lower back were quite tired afterwards.
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Go find a LonelyCache
  2 archives
average hiking speed 0.87 mph

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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