Summer '09, Second Installment

4. Overnight backpacking trip in the Blue Ridge District of Coconino National Forest (6/20-21). The 2nd backpacking adventure of the summer brought Bo and I to the Historic Cabin Loop trail system. No, it's not a clever name: there are indeed some old cabins on this trail...and they're historical. Most were used at some point as supply depots/rest stops for General Crook's campaign against the Apache. Later they were used as shelters for cowboys driving cattle back and forth over the Mongollon Rim.

The hike itself is not all that burly, more gently rolling hills cut with draws, but doing 12 miles when you start at 1pm was a bit of kick in the teeth. I was lucky to run into some nice ladies along the Rim who gave Bo and I there extra water (we were out). We camped at General Spring Cabin that night and then looped back to the car by 2pm the next day, making it about 18 miles total. Note to all heading out there: I only did the western half of the trail because of time constraints and the fact that a burn was occuring in the eastern half of the loop. You could easily spend 2 nights doing the whole system. For more info see this link http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mog_rim/cabin-loop-trail.shtml .

The route started at Pinchot Cabin then took Houston Bros Tr to Barbershop to General Crook to Fred Haught back to Pinchot.

Remains of a cabin fireplace at Aspen Spring on the Houston Bros Tr

Same as above, different angle

Million dollar views off the Mogollon Rim via the General Crook Tr

That's all I got in me for now. More trip shots to come from places like Bear Wallow and Mt. Baldy Wilderness Areas, not to mention a solo trip down James Canyon that entailed 2 rappels and many swims through pools that were frigid even in August.

Summer '09, First Installment

All in all, this past summer was a solid one. Though I didn't rock climb as much as I would have liked, I did more than enough backpacking. Also got in some canyoneering and even a road trip. The following is a bullet pointed summary of "My Summer Vacation" ( think back to grade school after a summer off.....nostalgia, eh?).

1. Hiking up Humphrey's Peak (sometime in May)

I can't remember exactly when I did this but it was my 3rd attempt to the summit of Arizona (12,634 ft) with my 2nd successful peak bid. The hike isn't particularly difficult but a blizzard at

the saddle like the one I experienced during my first attempt will stymie even the most intrepid of hiker. Bo the Dog came along this time and had a good time hanging out on the roof of the region. For more info on Humphrey's check out this link:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/humphreys-tr.shtml

2. Overnight trip into the lower end of West Clear Creek Wilderness Area (5/22-23). Though I forgot the camera, I did remember to bring Bo. We hiked in about 6 miles and made camp at one of the many creek crossings. Yes, there are about a million redneck idiots who visit the lower end of this unique desert riparian zone, but one can only carry two 30 packs so

far. Thus, tranquility that befits its Wilderness designation awaits any who dare venture more than 2 miles deep. Info on W. Clear Creek can be found here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/west-clear-creek-boat.shtml

3. Full Moon Ride (6/6)

This was my 3rd time doing this ride which starts at Cinder Hill Overlook in Sunset Crater National Monument and ends some 20 miles later at Wukoki Ruins in Wupatki National Monument. Luckily, it's down hill almost the entire way, and as the name suggests, we ride solely by full moon. Though the ride isn't much of a physical challenge, its nocturnal nature coupled with the silhouetted volcanic craters that blanket the area make the Full Moon Ride a classic of Flagstaff living. A of both parks including start and end points of the ride can be seen here: http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=wupa&parkname=Wupatki%20National%20Monument