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All here. Everyonei is distancing. [photo by Mark]
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Heather, Michael, Mark, Li, Tom, Tamar, Kevin, Debbie, Chris
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It was this big! [photo by Tom]
As I led two hikes entirely, or in part, within the new Western Gateway trail system
in Sedona, I was still curious about what was left unexplored. After examining maps
of the area, the bits and pieces of the Gateway which the Club had not yet traversed
were not enticing, but more established trails directly to the east had significant
potential.
Scouting potential routing in March, 2020, offered a number of options, so I was
anticipating generous flexibility in planning even perhaps on the day of the hike.
However COVID19 surfaced, and some trails in the vicinity (specifically around
Devil’s Bridge) were closed. Fortunately, there were enough other
choices that the hike was still viable.
So, let’s plan on scheduling this, say, in the fall of 2020. Fast forward to
April, 2020, and the May schedule is bleak due to club and state restrictions.
Knowing that many were missing the camaraderie of group hiking, I sent out a
“feeler” to individuals who had hiked on my treks previously and
received considerable interest. Then, in early May, as new hikes were again permitted
with restrictions, the hike was posted and with the 10 hiker limit and was at capacity
the same day.
With no formal carpools, participants drove directly to the expansive Arizona Cypress
Trailhead in West Sedona. Covering approximately 100,000 square feet, other than
hikers and bikers, this site also facilitates launches of hot air balloons and target
shooting. Strangely, the entrance to this trailhead is not signed on the main road, so
directions to the uninitiated have to include other markers. Anticipating
temps could approach 90° by early afternoon, we got a 7 AM start.
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Let’s get organized. [photo by Tom]
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Eleven trails were to be visited on this hike. One of the first trails was the Anaconda,
which was not originally included when I scouted the hike but used as a detour to
avoid a third crossing of, at that time, an actively streaming Dry Creek. But, it
provided such a pleasant trek with outstanding views it was inserted into the final
routing. And it had an intriguing name!
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What a lovely day for hiking! [photo by Tom]
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The best of Sedona’s red rock country. [photo by Tom]
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Let’s pause so the others can catch up. [photo by Tom]
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From Anaconda, we next spent a brief time on Arizona Cypress, crossed a now
“dry” Dry Creek onto the OK Trail. After encountering the compact
Dawa Trailhead and crossing Boynton Creek Road, Canyon of Fools was next.
Now, with a trail name that presented as both ominous and presumptuous
of questionable discernment within our group, I would not have been surprised if
participants approached this trail with trepidation.
In reality, the Fools trail definitely does not resemble an Arizona canyon—more
like a ditch! Yes, the walls did approach 15 feet high in spots, and I could see in the
old West you may not have aspired to be an outlaw looking up above at the
sheriff’s posse on the ledge. However, this trail did provide a wildlife bonus
as we encountered a tarantula making its way down the side.
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Heading on down the trail. [photos by Mark]
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Somebody put up a shrine. [photo by Mark]
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Let’s take a break. [photo by Mark]
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Tarantula. [photos by Mark]
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A bloomin’ hedgehog. [photo by Mark]
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Moving right along. [photo by Mark]
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First viewed from about 2 miles away on the Anaconda trail, as we approached the
Mescal Trail the namesake mountain was now towering above us. Although there is
a tempting saddle at its center, scouting in advance indicated that a Class 3 rappel
would be required to scale, so, let’s go around it.
Moving clockwise, we continued on the Mescal Trail to Deadman’s Pass, which
will guide us parallel to the backside of Mescal to our right. To the left were
magnificent views of the Secret Mountain Wilderness, which on my scouting hike
elicited all manner of projections of potential narrow shelf opportunities.
These musings were aided on this hike by my participants who also speculated, and
one actually pointed out an apparent social trail that may be my introduction to the
possibilities.
After we all came out alive after one mile on Deadman’s Pass, we tumed
onto Long Canyon trail in the direction of our origin. After some connector trails and
trekking along the road, we reached the Dawa Trailhead and a short 0.4 mile revisit
on OK (this was the only interval where we repeated any trail). Our last segment
was on the nicely shaded continuation ofArizona Cypress that darts around Dry
Creek. Back at the Arizona Cypress Trailhead, where we said our goodbyes and
headed home.
In closing, I would like to thank my “team” who did a great job of
social distancing internally and as we encountered other hikers. An unexpected
development the day after the hike was that I developed a fever that could be a
COVID19 symptom. I arranged for a test and notified all the group. Fortunately
the result was negative, but I offer this posthike occurrence as instructive of
recommended actions if any member of a hiking party has a COVID19-related
symptom (and can get tested) within 10 days.
→ More pictures, by
Tom.
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Supplemental Report
by Li Li
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Thank you, Mark, for letting us know the good news. I am happy that you have
recovered from the heat! It was another beautiful hike that you led this time.
Thank you for your meticulous planing. Everything was perfect!
Here is the link to my photos, I do not have lots of good ones but you feel free
to use it. I added some of Tom’s pictures to mine as you can see.
→ More pictures, by
Li.
Have a great week, everyone, and keep safe and healthy!
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