After introductions and a brief group photo, eight eager hikers started out at 9:30 AM at the Bell Trail parking lot, where they faced cloudy skies and imposing vertical cliffs of White Mesa.

White Mesa is composed of layers of red sandstone, buff-colored sediments, and a cap of dark volcanic stone. The White Mesa Trail Head intersected the Bell Trail after a 1.7 mile walk with a trail sign on the left (west). Hikers began scrambling on volcanic rock up a steep incline up a dirt cattle track that was once used to access mid-20th century ranch operations.

Aerobic capacity was required to pass through this rough-cut course that went through cacti, rockfalls, and the occasional mesquite tree clinging to steep slopes. Calories were also burned as hikers engaged in hand-over-foot maneuvering to get through a rock jam.

At 3 miles from the trailhead, the path met a barbed-wire fence that was the official end of the trail. However, to enjoy the full experience of this hike, hikers passed through a gate and continued up a well-worn path that in its heyday was used by cattle.

The hikers stopped for lunch on the mesa, that was lined with tall grass and small juniper trees revealing excellent vistas. Four of the hikers continued on unmarked trails that had remnant of worn cattle paths to a crest, where excellent view of Casner Canyon could be viewed, in addition to the Bradshaw Mountains that appeared in the distant southwest.

It was at this point that the four hikers turned around and made it back to the cars parked at the Bell Trail parking lot in approximately 1.5 hours. The group was unable to eat dinner at Moscato Ristorante Italiano, because reservations were required due to large crowds that were present for a wine tasting festival, but they instead, ate Mexican food at La Casita.

7.6 miles, elevation range 3,828' to 5,025', time 4 hours 10 minutes.
Car Pooler Miles: 82 for Tom Simonick, Jill Cross, and Greg Smith.