This trail is one of Arizona's favorites -- not too long, not too short, plenty of schade and scenery, cool in the summer, no long climbs. And as the club hadn't hiked it for several years, a timely journey seemed well tune.

Singh, Chuck, Rudy, Debbie, John S., Jim J., Dottie, Wendy, Cyd, Jim B. Dave, and John R. at the trailhead. [photo by John R.]

Sixteen hikers signed up but at no time were they all together.

• Wendy and Debbie only wanted to do half the distance, from the Kachina trailhead to the Schultz Tank. As a result, they and Dave first drove to the Schultz Tank trailhead where they parked Wendy's car, and then Dave gave the two women a ride to the official starting point.
• Laurie, Joyce, Monika, and Dierdre were all on short schedules and left the trailhead as soon as they arrived. They left before Wendy, Debbie, and Dave arrived from Schultz tank, and before even the group picture.
• Everyone else started out together, but Cyd decided she'd rather go half the distance with Wendy and Debbie so she joined them and all three never returned to the starting point.
• Because of time commitments, Dave, John S., and Singh turned around after 4.25 miles and left immediately after they returned to the starting point.
• John R., Dottie, and Jim J. also turned around after 4.25 miles but waited for the rest of us to return before leaving.
• Jim B., Michael, Rudy, and Chuck turned around after hiking 5.3 miles, which was longer than the planned distance but less than the total route. As it turned out, the map I used when planning the hike contained an inaccurate distance.

Cyd, Jim B. and the rest of the group welcome the wooded trail.[photo by John R.]

Dottie signs in for the group. [photo by John R.]

The trail itself matched everyone's expectations and memories. It's nicely wooded with Limber Pine, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Aspens. Bracken fern provides wonderful bright green ground cover.

Aspens imbue a tranquility all their own. [photo by John R.]

Rudy takes an early break. [photo by Wendy]

Stacked boulders along the trail, looking almost like a snowman. Could it be a granite-man? [photo by John R.]

Somehow the forest seemed dry and lush at the same time. It was probably the brilliant green from the ferns. [photo by John R.]

Chuck, Rudy, and Debbie check notes during a break.

With everybody splintered snack and lunch breaks were catch-as-catch-can. Everybody got their vittles, though, and no one came even close to starving.

John R., John S., Dottie, and Rudy forge ahead.

The views of Flagstaff and the surrounding area were spectacular! [photo by John R.]

It must be time for lunch! [photo by John R.]

With a splintered group like this radios were a key resource. Without them, there'd have been no way to coordinate movements and maintain everyone's safety. As rar as I know, though, we're still the only club in the Valley to have them.

Monika and Wendy post for a photo.

Turned out pretty well, eh? [photo by Wendy]

Debbie keeps a log under control. It's amazing how often this seems to happen. [photo by John R.]

Debbie, Wendy, and Cyd near the end of their course.[photo by Wendy]

Some people think horned toads are ugly. What about you? [photo by Wendy]

Another fine stand of aspens. Somehow they always make the sky seem more blue. [photo by John R.]

On our return segment we encountered a Forest Service Ranger named Maureen. She told us she was from Oregon, but had worked out of the Sedona Ranger Station for seven years. She was wearing a Fire hat from the recent Slide Fire near Sedona, and she mentioned seeing hundreds of elk running toward the file! This wasn't because they're crazy, she said; it's because they love eating the charred wood! Apparently, it contains lots of minerals and nutrients that the elk need!

When we mentioned we were with Arizona Trailblazers, Maureen perked up and said oh yes, we know you, you're a very fine group! And whenI asked what we were doing right, she mentioned our Leave No Trace policy, our respect for the forest, and the fact that we don't hike single-file in close groups. "I bet you say that to all the clubs," I remarked, and she said no, we really know you guys!

She was having a great day, by the way, just hiking in the forest and noting required maintenance. Usually, she said, her week is taken up with driving round, and administrative work.

So if you encounter a ranger named Maureen who works out of Sedona, please tell her Jim says, "Hi!"

Michael, Jim B., Maureen W., and Dottie pause for some trail talk. Maureen is a Forest Service ranger  who was checking trail conditions. [photo by John R.]

What to you get after mixing pine needles, rock, and sunlight?  [photo by Wendy]

Seven of our original seventeen make it to dinner after the hike.  [photo by John R.]

Only seven of our original sixteen made it to dinner, which we had at a place in Flagstaff called Modern Grove. The menu wasn't large but the food was well-prepared and fresh and we were hungry enough for everything. After that we headed back home and chalked up another fine adventure in hiking.

Jim's Statistics
Total Distance:	10.0 mi
Moving Time:	4:05
Stopped Time:	3:26
Avg. Speed Moving:	2.4 mph
Avg. Speed Overall:	1.3 mph
Starting Elevation:	9253 ft
Maximum Elevation:	9412 ft
Total Ascent:	1705 ft
Starting Time:	10:34 AM
Finishing Time:	6:05 PM
Starting Temperature:	68°
Finishing Temperature:	70°