It was a dark and stormy night ...

At least the above is a fitting description of the Fisher Point area the night before our Saturday morning hike with measurable rain and memorable lightning. This caused the hike to be the first non-chameleon hike of the summer. Usually at the start of a summer hike, a chameleon-like transformation begins. First the bottom of the footwear leading up through the socks. Then creeping up the shins converting the color of your pants. After about a mile, then a “PigPen” (Peanuts character) like cloud of brown, powdery dust forms over the group, facilitating the color change from whatever clean color there was to a consistent, uniform color of brown. But not this hike, nope. We started and ended in the same color.

The big optical telescope at the observatory.

Beginning at the weathered AZT sign, we started the trek walking some distance through mud, gaining both height and weight. Stopping at a repositioned fence gate for a rest, we continued downhill to Marshall Lake (a marsh). The area was broad with vehicle campers set up to our left as we followed the road to another AZT sign and trailhead. This trail started well with a landscaped path of white crushed rock.

After a few miles, lunch followed at an overlook to the west, which presented the start of the decline down to the start of Sandys Canyon and the beginning of Walnut Canyon. We followed the sweeping trail with a few switchbacks on the east side of the canyon and then continued down to the start of the large meadow where the Sandys Canyon trail intersects. At the intersection there were a few tree stumps scattered about which caught the curiosity of one hiker in the group, who went from stump to stump like a persistent squirrel looking for acorns. (Geocaching!)

After about a mile, we entered the large flat area where the four trails intersect: the trail from which we arrived, the trail north to Flagstaff, the trail northeast to the top of Fisher Point and the east trail at the beginning of Walnut Canyon.

At the east end, we gathered and explored the first cave. All but three of us followed the trail farther for a quarter mile to find and explore larger caves.

Once gathered together at the first cave, we all noticed the dark clouds moving in from the east which prompted our focused return. Backtracking through the trail intersections and starting toward Sandys Canyon, we professionally stayed on the main trail and didn’t follow the ruts of the horse path leading to the right. We then passed the AZT intersection where we had come down, still following the slight upward direction in Sandys Canyon. As the canyon started to narrow, the trail began its more upward slant to the right. After a few stops to see down from which we came, and catch our breath, we found ourselves at the top, where the trail sharply turned to the left following a ridge which allowed opportunities for pictures and staged photos of the canyon. The ridge soon took us to the intersection of the vertical climbing area and then into the Canyon Vista campground where we had earlier cached a vehicle, allowing us to retrieve the other vehicles parked at the observatory.

As per the plan, the rain didn’t start in earnest until all the cars were brought back and we were ready to depart. Some returning to Phoenix while others stayed in Flagstaff for other activities like the Celtic Festival.

Thanks to all for another great day and everyone’s help and assistance!

P.S. The published estimated distance was 11 miles. Actual miles was 11.1 miles to the first cave and 11.6 miles for those who went beyond the first cave.

FYI – Lesson Confirmed: if not within sight of the group, make sure you have a radio.

All other photos in this report courtesy of Wayne Shimata.