Outdoor Links
Hike Arizona
Trip Planning Guide
Trip Report Index
Calendar of Events
Library
|
Sunflower Foothills Day Hike Mazatzal Mountains March 16, 2019 by Ted Tenny |
|
 We started at Cross F Trailhead. |
| Ron, Joe, Mimi, Rebecca, Barb, Barbara [Ted is behind the camera]. |
|
Seven of the finest Trailblazers started out from Cross F Trailhead on a one-way hike to High Water Access. We wouldn’t attempt to cross Sycamore Creek today, because we could see the water was high and swift. We started west on the Little Saddle Trail, which goes through scenic ranch land on its way up to the Arizona Trail. |
 They’ve put up signs to mark the trail. [photo by Barbara] |
 The trail goes through ranch country. |
 Climbing up to the Arizona Trail. [photo by Barbara] |
 Rock formations along the Little Saddle Trail. |
 But this isn’t the way. |
 Stone Face is watching you. |
|
When we got to the Arizona Trail we turned left to go south. Passage 22 of the AZT was muddy today in many places. There were a few flowers out, but mostly just mud and many water crossings. Along the way we enjoyed fine views of the mountains on all sides, especially Mt. Ord and Diamond Mountain. |
 Barbara is next to cross the water. |
 Mimi shows us how it’s done. |
 There’s still some snow on Mt. Ord. |
 Diamond Mountain is west of the Arizona Trail. |
 Water in the desert! Plenty of it. |
 Why did they build a fence across the pond? To keep the frogs on one side? |
 Hoofing it on the Arizona Trail. [photo by Joe] |
|
Joe remarked that there were signs and cairns where the trail is easy to follow, but not where we really need them. Sure enough we lost the trail in a place where it’s hard to find. Both Rebecca and Joe went looking for a trail, one on each side. Rebecca found a road. Later we saw a sign confirming that it was the Arizona Trail. |
 This part of the trail is well defined. [photo by Barbara |
 Where’s the trail? |
 Rebecca finds the way. |
 Better close that gate! |
|
The day stayed cool and nice for us. We met only one other hiker, a fellow with his dog. |
 The Arizona Trail crosses a rocky canyon. |
 Barbara has less than a mile to go. [photo by Joe] |
 A pleasant hill with Boulder Mountain in the background. |
 Desert Evening Primrose |
 Desert Wishbone-bush |
 Everything is so green! |
 Natural desert graden. |
 This stone isn’t rolling. It gathers moss. [photo by Joe] |
|
|
| Each color of lichen is a different species. | |
|
My thanks to Ron, Barb, Mimi, Rebecca, Barbara, and Joe for going with me! You all made the hike special. Ted |
| This hike is described in Footloose from Phoenix, by Ted Tenny, pages 85-91. |
Top of Page
Comments? Send them to the AZHC .
updated March 17, 2019