Fourteen fantastic Trailblazers set out from Sunset Trailhead on a mostly sunny day. The Sunset Trail took us down through a valley before beginning our big climb along the creekbed up to the ridge.

My usual pattern is to sweep and take pictures, so I appointed Jim as a trusty deputy leader. “Wait up where the trail crosses the creek,” I advised them.

Doug decided to return to the trailhead, so I caught up with the others at the first of several places where the Sunset Trail has been re-routed. After crossing the creekbed the trail meanders on its way up to the ridge. There are lots of trees, but at one place you get a clear view of the San Francisco Peaks.

Clouds were rolling in.

No one seemed to notice the high point of our hike, where the trail goes over a ridge. On the south side we get a view of Mt. Elden as the Sunset Trail angles down to meet the Brookbank Trail.

Everyone re-convenes at the intersection, then we hike the Brookbank Trail westward. The trail doesn’t so much climb up to the ridge as the ridge slopes down to meet it.

When I scouted this hike with my daughter two months ago, we saw plenty of Rocky Mountain iris in bloom. Now it’s past the season, but the fungus and spider webs are still there.

The trail splits, with nary a sign or cairn or anything to tell which way is which. Both forks of the trail are equally worn. “The official Brookbank Trail is on the left,” I tell them, “But I’m going to take the shortcut trail on the right.”

Jim leads half the people on the Brookbank Trail while I lead the other half on the shortcut. The shortcut trail goes steeply downhill, but then meets a smooth trail that goes along the north side of the meadow in the Dry Lake Hills and passes the stock watering pond. We all re-convene on the Little Gnarly Trail, going down the hill northward to our last junction.

The trail junction is actually the lowest point on the hike. We turned right and walked over to Sunset Trailhead, where we started. There were only a few raindrops. The clouds and trees gave us shade, and a pleasant breeze refreshed us.

Before leaving Flagstaff we stopped to eat. Then I drove David, Peggy, Rina, and Shaun back to I-17 and Bell. From there it takes another hour to get back to my home in east Mesa. After ducking the rain on today’s hike, I drove through a wild thunderstorm on my way home. Nature’s free car wash.

It was great seeing and meeting you all at the Sunset-Brookbank hike, so thanks sincerely for coming along. I hope you had a great hike. And Ted, thanks as always for your legendary planning and leadership.

Jim