November 7th 2020

Hike name: Hackberry Springs to First Water Trail

Length: 5.6 miles

Difficulty easy-moderate due to the elevation gain of 700 feet.

Hiking Partners: Eric and Uncle J

We started off by hiking almost immediately into a canyon with what a appears to be a dry waterfall

We started to gradually rise in elevation. Looking South.

Another great view along the trail in the overcast.

A nice cliff view from the top.

Once we hiked out of the canyon we made it too a cool plateau with Weavers Needle in the background.

The trail was pretty flat in this section.

 Clouds pushing through.

Some areas were still burned by the previous fire.

Although we didn't see any rattlesnakes, they were definitely there.

Once we returned back to our vehicles we were greeted by 10 plus cowboys and cowgirls on horseback. They even had their cattle dogs with them!

All around great hike. I'll be back to explore many more trails in this area!

P.S. We stopped for lunch on the way back and grabbed some burgers and beers at the Goldfield Ghost Town Saloon! Still fully operational with mine tours, the train and we heard a gun fight while were eating!

Until next time!

 October 31st 2020. Happy Halloween!

Hike: Badger Springs Wash

Location: Bumble Bee, AZ

Distance: 5.7 miles out and back. 

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous due to route finding and bouldering 90% of the time.

Hiking partner: Colin

Weather: Nice in the morning. A little toasty in the afternoon. A few hat dips in the nice clear water as seen below and a stop in the shade for a snack and to take cover. Good to go!

Some nice clear pools of water...

A view of our route.

This was a common sight.

Hmmm...how do we get around this?

Hard to tell but the boulder is the size of a small house.

This canyon has massive flash floods as seen with the logs up high in the background!

Colin finding a way through.

We followed this for a few miles. Old fashion mining water slide right?

There used to be water here...

A long time ago....

Look closely

Oh hey, running water!

That canyon in the background is where we came from.

Trailhead

Another Cameron on the trail after us? Must have been a Cameron type of day!

Hand crafted spoon left for us just in case we forgot ours. So thoughtful!

Hike Successful!

P.S. My Boots are shot!

Oops!

Until Next Time!

 October 24th 2020

Hike location: Flagstaff AZ

Hike name: Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop

Hiking partner: Eric

Rating: Abineau - strenuous 2.5 miles of all uphill. 1800 foot elevation gain! A little bit of way finding. Some stair stepping over rocks and roots. Narrow trail.

            Bear Jaw - 5.12 miles of downhill. Easy going. Clear path.

Time recommended to complete: 4 hours. Time we completed the hike: 3 hours and 58 minutes!

A view of the way up.

Looking down to the valley.

    A perfect V.

We made it to the top!

Abineau transitions to Bear Jaw.

Bear Jaw trail going downhill.

Most of the aspens had shed their leaves.

A view heading down.

The sun was shining through but we found some color!

Thanks to my watch, here's a nice view of the loop.

The start of the trail is from the green dot to the loop.

The left side to the point is Abineau.

The right side from the point is Bear Jaw. 

Great hike overall! I would definitely do it again!

 October 17th 2020

First Hike of the season! Toms Thumb. 4 miles out and back.

Rating: Strenuous going up and a little slippery going down.  

Hiking partner: Colin

A great hike to get your legs in shape.

Until next time!