Wildflower wetlands

SINCLAIR WASH & RIO DE FLAG

Flagstaff Urban Trail System

Rio de Flag

Last weekend in Flagstaff, the morning air had a telling, damp crispness to it.  Shorter days and cooler temperatures mean the summer wildflower season is winding down. But, in the moist corridor of Rio de Flag, high country flora will be blooming through late September.  Sinclair Wash Trail, which begins at Fort Tuthill Park and ends at the Arizona Trail off Route 66, is a major artery of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS).  Winding through a diverse mix of terrain and connecting with 8 other trails, the floral sweet spot of this wide, mostly flat trail is the wetland area near Sawmill County Park. A short but steep descent from the playground drops hikers in the middle of Rio de Flag---a waterway created as part of the town's water reclamation program. The mile-long segment follows the stream through a limestone canyon festooned with oak archways and climbing vines. Where the trail approaches the I40 underpass, a cattail-choked marsh fosters a plethora of plant and animal life.  Here, the late summer wildflower checklist includes: globemallow, wild chrysanthemum, sunflowers, clovers, wild geranium, Red-osier dogwood, coneflowers, aquatic buttercups, New Mexican vervain and alfalfa.

wetlands

LENGTH: 5.7 miles one way. 2 miles roundtrip for the Rio de Flag section only.

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6805'- 6988"

GETTING THERE:

Sawmill County Park (short hike):

In Flagstaff, go east on Butler Ave to Lone Tree, turn right, continue to Sawmill Road on the left and follow the signs to the park.

Fort Tuthill County Park (long hike):

From I17 south of Flagstaff, take exit 337 for AZ89A and "county fairgrounds". At the end of the off ramp, continue straight into Ft. Tuthill Park and follow the signs to trailhead parking.

Prairie coneflower

INFO: City of Flagstaff

http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=1809 

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4584580511288.1073741871.1795269672&type=1&l=a3c0649b5d

Epic views from a White Mountains mesa

TIMBER MESA

Pinetop-Lakeside

Recently upgraded to incorporate an extra 1.5 miles of White Mountain scenic vistas, this undulating hike loops through a mix of shaded coniferous woodlands and sun drenched pinion-juniper scrub.  Route finding was also improved with the addition of location markers (T1-T29) placed every quarter-mile and blue diamond tree blazes that eliminate confusion where fire roads intersect the trail #636.  After a short climb (mitigated by long switchbacks) epic views begin to emerge. The western edge of the mesa-- buttressed by volcanic boulders--overlooks Jacques Marsh wetlands and Scott Reservoir, where, in late summer, acres of wildflowers transform the high country prairies into a sort of Monet painting replete with muddled hues, reflective waters and shocking splats of gold all brushed and blended in unbridled strokes over a living canvas. This hilltop art galley goes on for roughly 2 miles before the trail veers east, ducking in-and-out of damp ravines, deadwood lizard habitats and spare high points with a start-to-finish cache of alluring natural and human-made curiosities.

LENGTH: 7.9-mile loop (including 0.4 mile on  access path)

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION: 6,640' - 6,960'

FACILITIES: none

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on SR87 to the SR260 junction in Payson.  Head east (right) and follow SR260 to milepost 350 and the stoplight at Porter Mountain Road (FR45) in Pinetop-Lakeside.  Turn left at the light and go 2.2 miles (veer right at the 1.7-mile point to stay on FR45) to the trailhead sign.  Turn left and continue 0.1 mile on a  dirt road (watch that rut!) to the trailhead.

MAP:

http://www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org/trails/TrailsFiles/TimberMesaTrail%20A.htm

INFO:
Lakeside Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 928-368-2100

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/asnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=64818&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4543399441787.1073741869.1795269672&type=1&l=f480d9ab25

POVERTY DRAW & KEHL CANYON

POVERTY DRAW & KEHL CANYON

Mogollon Rim

Typical trail condition

Forest roads have always been open to hikers for easy treks.  Now that the forest service has been closing less-used roads to motorized traffic to allow soils, plants and wildlife habitats to recover, these eroding ruts have found second lives as footpaths.  Forest Road 147E is one of those routes.  Located on the Mogollon Rim near Potato Lake, this former Jeep two-track provides easy access to East Clear Creek and the upper portion of Kehl Canyon.  Although it will be decades before roads like this one are totally absorbed into the wilds,

Moist & mossy

they still provide authentic outdoor experiences.

For this adventure, there’s no officially numbered hiking trail, however, the route is not too difficult to navigate.  Here’s the plan:

From the parking area, begin hiking on FR147E. This dirt road parallels Poverty Draw, which runs off to the left. Well equipped, experienced hikers can drop into the draw and pick through a maze of brush and pools for 1 mile to East Clear Creek, but the easy way is to walk on FR147E to the 0.9-mile point where a barbed wire fence blocks the road. Do NOT pass through the fence—instead, head left following the wire line to a primitive entry in the barbed wire. Cross the fence (leaving it the way you found it) and hike downhill on a rudimentary path to East Clear Creek. Cross the creek and hike east (straight ahead) aiming for the washed out embankment.  Head right (south) and follow the decommissioned 4x4 road into Kehl Canyon. After roughly 1mile, the road makes a sharp right turn up a bank.  Here is where you’ll leave the road and head left to stay in Kehl Canyon.  If you thought the hike up to this point was amazing---just wait, it gets even better. From this point on, contorted sandstone escarpments and old growth coniferous forests close in on the moist and lush canyon. Sturdy boots, long pants and hiking sticks are required to get through the rock barriers, logs, brush, water-carved caves and a Technicolor show of marsh-loving wildflowers.  The canyon snakes four miles southward to Rim Road and Kehl Springs campground.  However, the going gets challenging at the 2.6-mile point, where a quagmire of deadfall, boulder-choked washes, and narrow passages will slow your pace and tax your problem-solving skills.

Our state amphibian: Arizona tree frog

LENGTHS:

FR147E to East Clear Creek: 1 mile.

Kehl Canyon turn off to Rim Road: 4 miles (difficult after 1.2 miles)

RATING:  moderate-difficult (route-finding, rough terrain)

ELEVATION: 6986' - 7420'

GETTING THERE:

From the State Route 87/260 intersection in Payson, continue north on SR87 to Forest Road 147 just north of milepost 287. Turn right and go 2.5 miles on FR147 to FR147E (past Poverty Spring) on the left.  Park here.

Secluded canyon on the Mogollon Rim

DIRTYNECK CANYON

Near Clint's Well

At some point in history, somebody must have emerged from this canyon with a dirty neck.  Whether it was a shepherd or a reclusive homesteader, a case of ring-around-the-collar would have been a small price to pay to live and work in this paradise on the Mogollon Rim. Although it's shown on forest maps, there's no official hiking trail through the shallow canyon.  The route briefly follows a two-track road that merges with footpaths and game trails before being swallowed up in organic mass leaving trekkers to rely on creative bushwhacking to get through.  The landscape diversity here is a wonder.  As the canyon winds north from FR 613 to the Beeline Highway just south of Clint's Well, it cuts through moist fern gullies fed by the trickling waters of Windfall Spring and elegantly swaying thickets of oaks and locusts.  Limestone boulders strewn across a tree-barren, yawning gorge share emerald meadows speckled with blooming wild geraniums, yarrows and clovers where decades of snowfalls and summer rains have soothed the scars of the wildfire that consumed the trees.  Here, the canyon comes to a fork---head right into an unscathed pine forest and the beginning of the muddy boots portion of the hike. Spring water and monsoon runoff settles in ribbony rivulets and tiny reflecting pools at the base of the canyon forming a nourishing foundation for plant and animal survival.  Each footstep releases pungent musty-earthy aromas sometimes spiked with head-clearing jolts of wild mint.  Surrounded by shoulder-high sunflowers a canopy of whispering aspens and life giving waters underfoot, you'll want to breath deep and become absorbed in the moment.

After roughly 1.2 miles of hiking, the first of several natural barriers appears.  This one is a quagmire of logs and brambles choking the creek where the canyon hits a short pinched segment.  Here, you'll need to scramble around on steep banks, which is why long pants and sleeves are recommended for this hike.  As Dirtyneck Canyon's little-known corridor approaches AZ87, the sounds of whizzing motors occult natural woodland murmurs.  A stock tank, bovine grazing field and a flimsy span of barbed wire separating paradise from the asphalt speedway mark the turnaround point.

LENGTH: 2.89 miles one-way

RATING: moderate, off trail, some bushwhacking

ELEVATION:  7300' - 6850'

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on AZ87 to the AZ87/260 junction in Payson.  Continue north on AZ87 to FR 613 between mileposts 282 and 283 on the right.  Drive on FR 613 veering left at the Fortynine Canyon sign and past the first Dirtyneck Canyon sign you will see on the left---this is for Dirtyneck Road.  At the 1-mile point you will see road signs for 9384Q and 6023 with a corral hidden among oak trees about 50 years off to the left.  This is the trailhead. Park in the pullouts and begin hiking on 9384Q.

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4443074213719.1073741867.1795269672&type=1&l=88e197d680

195 cool Arizona summer hikes

USE MY TRAIL INDEX TO BROWSE 195 COOL SUMMER HIKES

East Fork, Greer

Hi Hikers, I have been receiving lots of emails  asking about AZ summer hiking trails.  I LOVE hearing from you guys and will always do my best to reply with helpful tips.  And, I wanted to remind you about the TRAIL INDEX that runs down the left side of the blog.  You may need to scroll down to find it----then click on any or all of these: "summer hike","Flagstaff", "Mogollon Rim",  or "White Mountains" to sort for cool, high-country treks.  Happy hiking!

The little trails at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK TRAILS

Payson

Waterfall Trail

Hikers who visit this natural wonder on the Rim often make a beeline for the Gowan Trail.  That's not a bad plan as it is widely considered the "best" trail in the park for those looking for a challenge.  The half-mile dirt route makes a steep dip into Pine Canyon where a plank bridge leads to an observation deck at the base of the world's largest tavertine arch.  If park rangers feel conditions are safe, hikers are allowed to walk through the arch, but if water levels threaten, that's not an option---so call ahead if you're dead set on the full experience.  Although Gowan Trail is the big deal, it's a mistake to ignore the park's four other hiking trails because of their short lengths.  For instance, the Waterfall Trail is a stunning walk on a 300' staircase that hugs the canyon wall above Pine Creek with a remarkably lush wall of ferns and brambles fed by spring water trickling from the rock.  The Pine Creek Trail follows the canyon-bound water that carved the bridge culminating at a tiny swimming area and junction with the Anna Mae Trail. Finally, the paved, accessible trail that leads to four viewpoints is worth a look for the viewing scopes and interpretive signs that give deeper understanding of the park's wildlife and unique geology.

The Bridge

LENGTHS:

Gowan Trail: 0.5 mile one way

Pine Creek Trail: 0.5 mile one way

Waterfall Trail: 300' one way

Anna Mae: 500' one way

Viewpoints Trails:  0.75 mile

NOTE: some trails may be closed when water levels are high

RATING: barrier-free to difficult

ELEVATION: 4530' - 4300'

HOURS: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

FACILITIES: restrooms, water, picnic tables, swim area, gift shop

FEE:  $5 per adult, $2 ages 7-13, Free for ages up to 6 years

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on AZ87 to Payson.  At the AZ260/87 junction in Payson, continue 10 miles north on 87 to milepost 260 and turn left at the park sign.  Follow the winding road 5 miles downhill to the entrance.  Park in the 15 minute area, go into the gift shop to purchase your pass and then move your vehicle to any of the signed trailheads. 

INFO: Arizona State Parks, 928-476-4202

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4418284513992.1073741866.1795269672&type=1&l=9f66981b2d

Kid-friendly wetlands hike

PINTAIL WETLANDS

Allen Severson Wildlife Area

View from the blind

A haven for Arizona White Mountain bird populations, this 370-acre marsh area was created by the City of Show Low to increase waterfowl production while providing an eco-friendly solution for wastewater effluent.  Two accessible trails with interpretive signs wind among pinyon-juniper grasslands before emerging into a willow-wrapped wetland bird haven.  The main path splits at a fork 0.2 mile from the trailhead.  Here, go left to get to an enclosed viewing blind with seating and bird identification placards.  The right fork leads to a wood plank open-air observation platform.  Patience is required to catch glimpses of the wildlife that frequents the area.  In addition to the expected pintails and mallards, look for raptors, songbirds, antelope and elk. To get the most out of your visit, download a bird identification app and pack a pair of binoculars.

LENGTH: 1.2 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy, barrier-free, 100% paved

ELEVATION: 6400’

HOURS: dawn to dusk daily

FACILITIES: porto potty

GETTING THERE:

From Show Low, go east on US60 to AZ77 on the left.  Go 3.3 miles on AZ77 to the signed turn off, turn right and continue 0.3 mile to the parking area. Roads are paved with the last 0.3-mile on sedan-friendly cinder.

INFO: Lakeside Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

928-368-2100

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/asnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=62792&actid=62

EPA Info document:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/ShowLow.pdf

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4388865658539.1073741865.1795269672&type=1&l=3f001e8e13

Wetland wildlife viewing

JACQUES MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

Pinetop-Lakeside

Monsoon storm over Jacques Marsh, July 2013

What began as a creative approach to wastewater management has bloomed into  thriving wetlands on a wind-swept, White Mountains  grassland. This 93-acre site is a complex of ponds, nesting islands and wet meadows that attract swarms of birds as well as elk, deer, coyotes, turkeys and bears.  Although there are no actual trails here, visitors can hike along the cattail-choked berms and gravel roads that criss-cross the area. The going is easy, however gopher and badger holes are potential hazards, so keep an eye on your footing. The created wetlands of Jacques Marsh are fed by treated, reclaimed water pumped in from the Pinetop-Lakeside wastewater treatment plant. But, don't worry---although it's not advisable to drink the marsh water, it's perfectly safe to wander around it. And, the only aroma is that of earthy water plants and surrounding juniper-studded prairies.

LENGTH: variable, the circumference is just under 3 miles, if you hike all the berms--up to 4 miles

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6720'

GETTING THERE:

In Pinetop-Lakeside, travel south on AZ260 (White Mtn Blvd.) to milepost 350 and the traffic signal at Porter Mountain Road.  Turn left and go 1.5 miles north on on Porter Mtn Rd (also called Penrod Road in some publications)  to Juniper Dr. on the left.

Follow this paved/gravel/dirt road 0.6 miles (ignore the side road, keep straight and pass over 2 cattle guards)  to the trailhead on the right. The last half-mile is on bumpy dirt.  Low clearance vehicles can park along the road if necessary and walk the remaining distance.

INFO: White Mountains Online:

http://www.wmonline.com/area/gamefish/jacques.htm

EPA document:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/PinetopLakeside.pdf

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4382226252558.1073741864.1795269672&type=1&l=ce664c56c3

Wetland wildlife viewing

JACQUES MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

Pinetop-Lakeside

Monsoon storm over Jacques Marsh, July 2013

What began as a creative approach to wastewater management has bloomed into  thriving wetlands on a wind-swept, White Mountains  grassland. This 93-acre site is a complex of ponds, nesting islands and wet meadows that attract swarms of birds as well as elk, deer, coyotes, turkeys and bears.  Although there are no actual trails here, visitors can hike along the cattail-choked berms and gravel roads that criss-cross the area. The going is easy, however gopher and badger holes are potential hazards, so keep an eye on your footing. The created wetlands of Jacques Marsh are fed by treated, reclaimed water pumped in from the Pinetop-Lakeside wastewater treatment plant. But, don't worry---although it's not advisable to drink the marsh water, it's perfectly safe to wander around it. And, the only aroma is that of earthy water plants and surrounding juniper-studded prairies.

LENGTH: variable, the circumference is just under 3 miles, if you hike all the berms--up to 4 miles

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6720'

GETTING THERE:

In Pinetop-Lakeside, travel south on AZ260 (White Mtn Blvd.) to milepost 350 and the traffic signal at Porter Mountain Road.  Turn left and go 1.5 miles north on on Porter Mtn Rd (also called Penrod Road in some publications)  to Juniper Dr. on the left.

Follow this paved/gravel/dirt road 0.6 miles (ignore the side road, keep straight and pass over 2 cattle guards)  to the trailhead on the right. The last half-mile is on bumpy dirt.  Low clearance vehicles can park along the road if necessary and walk the remaining distance.

INFO: White Mountains Online:

http://www.wmonline.com/area/gamefish/jacques.htm

EPA document:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/PinetopLakeside.pdf

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4382226252558.1073741864.1795269672&type=1&l=ce664c56c3

Finals days to enter AZGF 2014 wildlife photo contest

ARIZONA GAME & FISH WILDLIFE CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST

Wild burros near Bartlett Lake--NOT eligible subjects

Hikers, have you captured a terrrific wildlife photo this past year while out on the trails? Well, here's your opportunity to submit your best shots for possible inclusion in the Arizona Game & Fish 2014 wildlife calendar.

Deadline for photo submissions is 5 p.m. MST, Friday, August 2, 2013. Click the link below for details. Good luck!

INFO & RULES:

http://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/photo_contest.shtml

PANORAMA TRAIL

PANORAMA TRAIL

Pinetop-Lakeside

The energetic, leash-dragging Labrador retriever appeared out of nowhere as I was loitering on the saddle of Twin Knolls.  Her "parents", who were huffing their way up the slope, called out an apology for their companion having escaped their grasp. The well-behaved dog was wearing  hiking booties to protect her paws from the abrasive cinders laid down by the double cinder cone volcanos on which we stood.  The pup's mom crested the slope, took a deep breath and proclaimed, "So, this is why they call it the Panorama Trail".  "This " is a sprawling vista of

emerald forests, crystalline lakes and majestic White Mountain massifs stretching into New Mexico.  The immaculately groomed trail makes a lasso loop around antenna-cluttered Porter Mountain (7595' cinder cone) passing through shaded oak-pine woodlands, sunny juniper-fleeced grasslands and numerous stock ponds with a traipse across Woolhouse Wildlife Habitat Area.  But it's the views from Twin Knolls--cinder cone volcanoes that anchor the route's southern edge-- that give cause for pause.  Here, we scoped out the elongated silhouette of Escudilla Mountain and the still fresh, ashen scars of the 2011 Wallow Fire.   My new friends--who own a cabin in Lakeside, but had never hiked this route before---eagerly pointed out surrounding landmarks like Jacques Marsh, US 60 and the barely discernible rooftops of Springerville while their dog lackadaisically selected a potty spot. After discussing the approaching storm and our various wet weather gear stashes, we walked off in opposite directions into a gentle rain.

LENGTH: 8-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 6750'-7300'

GETTING THERE:

From Show Low, continue south on AZ260 (toward Pinetop-Lakeside) to milepost 350 and the stoplight for Porter Mountain Road (FR45).  Turn left at the light and drive 5 miles (watch out at the 1.5 mile point where  Porter Mtn Rd makes a sharp right turn) to the trailhead on the left.

INFO:

Lakeside Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 928-368-2100

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/asnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=64820&actid=50

White Mountain Trails System:

http://www.wmonline.com/attract/trails/635.htm

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4382049368136.1073741863.1795269672&type=1&l=58c7558aa9

Trek a White Mountain trout stream

SILVER CREEK

Show Low

Silver Creek originates from an underground spring and cuts a meandering course through bucolic White Mountain juniper grasslands.  The creek is managed by Arizona Game & Fish and is part of an 840-acre wildlife/fish hatchery area that’s open to the public for hunting, fishing and bird watching.  Although not usually billed as a hiking destination, creek side fisherman’s trails serve the needs of trekkers in search of great photo opps and wildlife encounters.  Both banks of the short waterway are hike-able. Although the west side is less overgrown, the east side—where slender footpaths are obscured by lush grasses----- offers solitude and a plethora of wet meadow wildflowers. 

LENGTH: 2.5 miles one-way

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6,500’

GETTING THERE:

From Show Low, travel 5 miles east on US60 to Bourdon Ranch Road near milepost 347.  Turn left (north), go 5 miles to Hatchery Road, turn right and drive 0.3 mile on the good gravel road to the parking area at the hatchery complex.

FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic table, no fees. Fishing license is required for anglers.

HOURS: Open dawn to dusk daily.  Closed

Fish hatchery complex

Thanksgiving & Christmas

INFO:  Arizona Game & Fish, 928-537-7513

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hatcheries_silver_creek.shtml

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4379775111281.1073741862.1795269672&type=1&l=4fa2c80ed6

Embracing the details of an ordinary trail

SANDY SEEP TRAIL

Flagstaff

Fire scars visible on the ridge

This easy trail at the base of Elden Mountain rarely makes it onto the typical hiker's bucket list.  Widely regarded as a "connector" route for some of Flagstaff's more iconic trails (Fat Mans Loop, Little Elden, Arizona Trail) trekkers plow through this repurposed Jeep road like rockets on their way to the moon.  Although power hiking is valid use of public lands, there's also much to be gained by embarking on pensive sightseeing walks. This style of hiking embraces the details of otherwise "throw away" trails making them journeys to savor rather than tedious means to an end.  And, there's a lot to see on Sandy Seep trail.  Here's a sample of how to savor the details:

Hug a Yellow belly. Ponderosa pines that are at least 150 years old develop scaly yellowish bark with aromas similar to butterscotch, vanilla, cherry-almond and other sweet confections---take whiff!

Brush up on your geology. Bring a guidebook and learn to identify volcanic rocks like pumice, basalt, and obsidian.

Stop and smell the cliff-rose. The dominant flowering shrub on the trail blooms from April through September.

Survey Fire scars: Witness how the landscape is recovering from both the 1977 Radio Fire and 2010 Schultz Fire. The scars are visible on the high slopes to the west of the trail.

Sing with Stellars jays. These vociferous, electric blue birds sport pronounced feathered head crests and are easy to spot rustling about in the pines.

See the "seep". Located about 0.5 mile past the Little Elden/Christmas Tree junction (go right) a 

water-hogging depression feeds a tiny green cienega.

Hound for horned lizards. They're talented at hiding in plain sight, so be wary of stepping on one. Look for them near their food source--anthills.

Horned lizard

LENGTH: 6 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6900' - 7300'

GETTING THERE:

Sandy Seep trailhead:

From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the I40 interchange in Flagstaff.  Head east on I40 to exit 201 for US89 north.  Drive north on US89 to milepost 421 (0.5 mile north of  Townsend-Winona Road) and turn left onto FR 9139 and drive 0.1 mile to the trailhead.

INFO:

Yellow belly Ponderosa pine

Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-526-0866

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55170&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4349501274454.1073741861.1795269672&type=1&l=eeafed3eca

A hike through deer territory

CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL

Flagstaff

Mule deer on the trail

For the dancing herds of mule deer roaming the grasslands on the eastern slopes of Flagstaff's Mount Elden, cliff-rose is considered a browsing delicacy. When in bloom (April-September), the delicate white roses spill a tart-sweet perfume into the mountain breezes which churn the scent through pines boughs to form an airborne elixr---"eau de cerf".  This is indeed deer paradise---ample food, wide open spaces and woodlands replete with hiding places for foals.   Wildlife-loving hikers will almost certainly share the Christmas Tree trail with the elegant beasts who will usually pause to indulge their curiosity about approaching humans before galloping off into the brush. 

Although this easy footpath  is mostly used as a connector route for the dozens of more challenging trails around Mt. Elden, it makes for an excellent solo destination when hiking with kids (and I saw quite a few hitting the dirt this week) or as a deer-spotting expedition.

LENGTH:

From south: 4 miles roundtrip

From north: 6 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6900'- 7250'

GETTING THERE:

South access, Elden Mountain trailhead:

From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the I40 interchange in Flagstaff.  Head east on I40 to exit 201 for US89 north.  Drive north on US89 to just past the Flagstaff mall and turn left into a parking area marked by a hiker sign.  This turn off is between mileposts 419 and 420.  To find Christmas Tree Trail, hike 0.2 mile on the main path to the signed junction for Fatmans Loop, turn right here and go 0.3 mile to the signed junction. From here, it's 1.5 mile to the Sandy Seep Trail junction.

North Access, Sandy Seep trailhead:

From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the I40 interchange in Flagstaff.  Head east on I40 to exit 201 for US89 north.  Drive north on US89 to milepost 421 (0.5 mile north of  Townsend-Winona Road) and turn left onto FR 9139 and drive 0.1 mile to the trailhead. Follow Sandy Seep trail 1.5 mile to the Christmas Tree junction, turn left and hike 1.5 mile to the Fatmans Loop sign.

INFO:

Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-526-0866

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4347077373858.1073741860.1795269672&type=1&l=b8cb5ad127

Hiking dog in search of a trail.

Looking for love in all the wrong places?

Ursula: hiking dog in waiting

Having spent a full year of her life looking for love in the Maricopa County Animal Care shelter in Mesa AZ, URSULA, a beautiful, 2-year-old, female, pitbull mix has proven her tenacity and willingness to go the distance in the search for her ideal life companions. Because this little girl is so special, shelter staff thought that exposure to a more energetic audience, namely, the hiking community, might help her locate her forever home. Playful, affectionate and eager to please, URSULA would thrive with adults and older children (12+) who share her love of vigorous exercise and interactive companionship. She is a tad picky about her canine friends, so it's recommended that potential adopters bring their other dog(s) to the shelter for proper introduction. With a little bit of training and a dose of love URSULA would make an excellent hiking partner.

NAME: URSULA

ID #: A3179266

ADOPTION FEE: $60 includes shots, license and free vet exam.

She is already spayed and ready to go home!

TO ADOPT URSULA:

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control

East Valley Shelter

2630 West Rio Salado Parkway (8th Street & Loop 101)

Mesa, AZ 85201

ADOPTION HOURS: 11 a.m. - 5:30 daily except Thursdays

Streamside mountain trek

Thompson Trail #629

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

A babbling mountain stream in a pristine alpine meadow makes a welcoming gateway to the Thompson Trail.  Never straying far from the water’s edge, the trail parallels the upper reaches of the West Fork of the Black River.  The shallow tributary twists and turns through a canyon where soaring basalt walls and massive rough-hewn boulder fields add dramatic flair to the otherwise tranquil landscape.  From the trailhead, the path dips into the river gorge.  There, lacy curtains of olive-colored moss sway from the conifer canopy above the first of several dams and rock barriers put in place along the stream as part of the Apache trout recovery program.  Found only in the streams and lakes of the White Mountains, Arizona’s state fish nearly became extinct due to the damaging effects of invasive species and loss of habitat.  Thankfully, the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 initiated a series of co-operative efforts to preserve the rare, speckled fish.  The recovery program has been so successful that the Apache trout is now on track to become one of the first indigenous fishes in the United States to be taken off the endangered list.  Beyond the dam, the trail heads out through a boggy field that’s alive with waist-high grasses, wildflowers and shrubs.  Marked only by hard-to-find stepping-stones, this segment of the trail is a challenge to follow.  Yet, the spectacular scenery in this corridor---which was partially destroyed by the 2011 Wallow Fire--  acts as a convenient distraction so, you’ll hardly notice the route-finding struggle and the fact that you’re sloshing through ankle-deep muck.  After that, though, the trail dries out as its crawls through damp thickets of vegetation including hops, raspberries and a spectacular array of mushrooms.  Near the end of the trail, at the junction with the West Fork Trail, the roar of swirling rapids marks the turnaround point for the hike.

LENGTH: 6.5 miles round-trip

RATING:  moderate

GETTING THERE:

From Eagar, go right (west) on Highway 260 for 2.8 miles to Highway 261.  Turn left (south) on Highway 261 and continue for just over 16 miles to Highway 273.  Turn right (north) onto Highway 273 and go another 2.1 miles to the turn off for Forest Road 116.  Turn left (south) on FR-116 and go 3.5 miles to the signed trailhead on the right.  The trail begins at a gate located a short distance down FR-116 on the left. No facilities.  No fees.

INFO: Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 928-333-6200

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/asnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=45147&actid=50

Tech & trek with kids

Discover the Forest web site & contest encourage kids to get outdoors

"Why don't kids play outside more?" This is a common topic of discussion while out hiking with my adult pals. Although the distractive effects of smart phones, tablets, video games and TV always play into the banter, we have not come up with a one-size-fits-all answer. Research has shown that children who recreate outdoors are less stressed, develop rich imaginations and have fitter bodies and stronger immune systems. So, where the heck are the kids on Arizona trails? One way to use entertainment technology to encourge kids to get curious about the outdoors--and hopefully whine to go on a hike--- is to visit the Discover the Forest web site. The family-friendly, interactive site offers dozens of ideas for nature-based activities such as hiking, camping and fishing. Also, to promote the July 31st release of the woodland-centric movie The Smurfs 2, the Forest Service, Sony Pictures and Discover the Forest are conducting an "America the Blue-tiful" Instagram photo contest. Just head out into nature, snap a photo of something BLUE, tag and share for a chance to win Smurfy prizes. Contest runs through July 30, 2013.  This is not a paid endorsement.

http://www.discovertheforest.org/

America the Blue-tiful contest info:

http://discovertheforest.org/bluetiful

Is Bigfoot lurking on the Rim?

FIND BIG FOOT. WIN $1,000,000

The forested canyons and rugged highlands of Arizona's Mogollon Rim have long been rumored to be a haven for the mysterious human-ape creature known as Bigfoot. While out hiking, you may have even stumbled upon an unusual footprint, scat pile or bone and wondered---could it be? Now your incidental ape finds could turn into a cash cow; so dust off your cameras and scientific field testing equipment and get in the game for a chance at a $1,000,000 reward. Olympia beer, in patnership with The Falcon Project, are offering cash money to anyone who finds "irrefutable evidence" of Bigfoot. This evidence might include DNA (think, poop), skeletal remains and---of course---safe, live capture of the beast. Videos and photos will be considered as supporting evidence only and must be backed up by physical proof. A panel of experts will examine submissions for authenticity. Participants who harm Bigfoot or any other species will be disqualified, publically shamed and refered to law enforcement. This is not a hunting contest. Check out the web site below for full details, sighting reports and to participate in an online community of Bigfoot africinados. Disclaimer: no beer or cash was provided in exchange for this blog post. Nor was I under the influence when writing it.

http://www.olympiabigfoot.com/