Trailblazers in West Clear Creek Wilderness. [photo by Vicki]

Twelve hikers showed up for the hike that began on forest service road FR 142 on a sunny day with moderate cloud cover. Smoke was visible from the Backbone Fire that was burning in the adjacent communities of Pine and Strawberry. The hikers began a rapid descent past a large ponderosa pine located in the middle of FR 142. The hikers continued past FR 9267J on the left, past Clover Spring in Meadow Canyon, to New Tank, a watering hole for cattle and wildlife. At the 2-mile junction Calloway Butte could be spotted to the right where the group hiked past FR 142A on our left.

Anteater. [photo by Vicki]

On the road again. [photo by Vicki]

Watering hole with plenty of water. [photo by Vicki]

Views of the Bradshaw’s, San Francisco Peaks, and the White Mountains could be seen to the right. Remnants of the Reservoir Fire (started in Pine, AZ by a careless camper during early summer) were present to the left. At approximately the 3-mile junction the group proceeded left onto FR 9267C. Lunch was eaten at the end of this dirt road. The hikers went off trail in Wilbur Canyon where they hooked up with FR 142B that eventually led them to FR 142A heading back towards the car. Dinner was eaten at El Patio restaurant in McGuireville

Old tree. [photo by Vicki]

Big tree. [photo by Vicki]

Old fence. [photo by Vicki]

Old fence guarding the tree. [photo by Vicki]