RedDoug
Trail Wise!
Trail active, stand back.....
Posts: 634
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Post by RedDoug on Apr 11, 2019 20:03:59 GMT -8
I came through Payson yesterday on my way back from Moab, UT coming down I-17. I was so close, and you were there off trail! Sigh.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,955
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Post by Westy on Apr 22, 2019 4:39:57 GMT -8
Just arrived in Flagstaff, AZ after 100 plus miles of lackadaisical and enjoyable hiking on the Mogollon Rim. The forest was enchanting, with ultra-comfy tent pitching ground featuring soft piles of Ponderosa pine needles. Hikers are still passing me heading north. Not in any hurry as Grand Canyon permit starts Wednesday, May 8th. Reports still suggest deep snow, muck and mire on the North Rim which should dissipate significantly by May 15th, my tentative target date. From Pine the Highline Trail parallels the Mogollon Rim.
A view back at the MazatzalsA very Nice Water TankTerrific Tread in the ForestMogollon Rim - A Major Geographical Feature to Northern ArizonaStart of Ascent to the RimFollowing Ancient Trade Trail - Goods from Four Corners to Mexico Area Later Inhabited by Apaches. US Army Converted Trail to Military Road. Ponderosa ForestEast Clear CreekBlue Ridge CG perfect Lunch StopHiker ArtA Very Relaxing Walk in the WoodsRemnants of SnowmageddonBeer, One Mile!Tiny Mormon Lake, pop.50Remains of Flagstaff Lumber Company Railroad - circa 1920'sLegendary Abby and His Person. They Have Been Roaming the AZT Since mid-January Horse Tank Lake on Anderson Mesa: One to Five Million Years Ago Ground Collapsed. Over Time Filled with Clay Creating a Seasonal Lake From Snowmelt.Moving Along! Views of the San Francisco Peaks becoming More CommonWalnut Creek CanyonTent Site with a View, 4 Bars, 4G. Enjoyed Complete Extra Inning Ball Game - Red Sox Win! Can You Believe It? Met Larry Boy Hiking Into Flagstaff. We Crossed Paths Last Year on the CDT in Northern New Mexico and Darby, MT.Headquarters in Flagstaff for the Next Three Nights
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
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Post by desert dweller on Apr 22, 2019 9:11:14 GMT -8
Once you get on top of the Rim you're pretty much done with major elevation changes. Well, except maybe for the Grand Canyon. You're really making time. Thanks for the photos.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 22, 2019 18:54:13 GMT -8
Good luck Westy!
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,955
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Post by Westy on Apr 24, 2019 19:09:38 GMT -8
Thank you Hungry Jack Back on trail in the morning. Flagstaff is great town. Survived a couple of cocktails here.
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 24, 2019 20:09:36 GMT -8
I've had some interesting conversations in the Monte Vista. The coffee shop is nice, too.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 25, 2019 12:38:57 GMT -8
So the web site claims that the Monte Vista Hotel offers "haunted" bed rooms for your pleasure. Something like this is more my speed...
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 25, 2019 12:43:35 GMT -8
So the web site claims that the Monte Vista Hotel offers "haunted" bed rooms for your pleasure. I think they did that in response to the common belief that their main competitor (the Weatherford) is haunted. Having stayed there several times, I can attest that it's at least noisy. I'm not so sure about haunted.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,955
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Post by Westy on May 1, 2019 3:58:07 GMT -8
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on May 1, 2019 4:31:26 GMT -8
Great pics as always. Still significant snow up high. Hopefully means lots of fresh water for Westy.
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Post by bluefish on May 1, 2019 5:01:08 GMT -8
Envious beyond words. Camped about 1/2 a mile from the tower a few weeks ago. I wish, wish, wish I would ever have the time to do what your doing. Glad you're sharing your accomplishment. Have a great, great time in the canyon.
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Post by paula53 on May 1, 2019 9:23:13 GMT -8
Enjoy the GC. Thank you for sharing your hike with us.
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on May 1, 2019 19:02:56 GMT -8
Flagstaff to the GC is one leg of the AZT that would test my patience. How did it feel as you did it?
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,955
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Post by Westy on May 1, 2019 22:27:04 GMT -8
BigLoad I found it fascinating, but in many ways I am a contrarian. Following around the San Francisco Mountains added an alpine touch and the trail reached altitudes above 9,000 feet. As the trail lost altitude you could see cinder cones and remnants of volcanoes. Sometimes sharp rocky tread. Water really not an issue as resources were no more than 15 miles apart. The road walk portion was remote with the snow covered peaks (Humphreys and Kendrick) dominating the view behind me. In many cases it could be considered easy as you approach the Kaibab NF. For most it brings out an urge to hurry up and finish. For me, as it’s less than 120 miles to finish and you can sense the end makes me want to savor the trail and sip it like fine wine. Essentially, it’s a Peter Pan Syndrome. I never want to grow up or go home.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,955
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Post by Westy on May 17, 2019 9:29:59 GMT -8
AZT sidebar with my bestie partner, my daughter Siani. Seven nights and eights days under the Rim. A truly wild outing from Phantom Creek, over Cheops-Isis saddle to top of Trinity Creek, down to 94 Mile, up 94 Mile out, over and down to Crystal Creek, up Crystal Creek, take a right on Dragon Creek to Shiva Saddle, then contour the Coconino, scramble through Toroweaps up to North Rim, head northeast thru forest to intersect Sublime Point Road and road walk to North Rim Campground. Daughter rim-to-rimmed back to South Rim, her car and motel. I am taking a couple of Zero days before back on the AZT. Left corridor trail at Bright Angel CG. Ascended directly to Utah Flat.Phantom Canyon. Note Coconino (white) high in upper left. We traversed underneath 8 days later.Traverse in drenching rain to saddle between Cheops Pyramid and Isis Temple. Daughter under silver umbrella. Descending into Trinity Canyon. Tower of Set in background.Miles and miles on Tonto Plateau between each creek. A bit warm. Our umbrellas offered a respite from extreme shortage of natural shade.Yikes! Colorado River and mouth of 94 Mile Creek. Route goes straight down. Collecting water Colorado River at 94 MileMy daughter takes over.
Took three short pitches for me and packs to be lowered. Tower of Ra in background Daughter down climbed chimney.Early evening, daylight diminishing, and still descending.Crystal Rapids, biggest on River. River runners pull in and check it out from this viewpoint.
Looking back down Crystal Creek as we begin are ascent.
Shade and water. As good as it gets.
Taking a right turn onto Dragon Creek
In the Tapeats Narrows
We scrambled for 8 hours to go 3 miles and gain 2,000 vertical feet to Shiva saddle. Dragon Head in background.
Bonus water, Supai boulder with pot holes has water from rain 4 days earlier. Isis Temple in background.
Challenge for final day. Pure bushwhack and obstacle course from Shiva Saddle.
Reached the North Rim, hiked 6 miles through the forest to intersect Point Sublime Road. Easy 5 mile road walk to North Rim Campground.
Shiva Temple as we contour the Coconino as mention in photo 2.
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