Weather: 75ยบ, sun and clouds
About this Hike: This one ended up being better than expected. I think this past February's hike to a Chevelon Canyon overlook inspired me to research more access points to this unique rim canyon.
The rim has gotten some much needed rain this week, and that lended to some muddy spots on the forest roads driving in. Tired of the mud, and having failed to put traction boards in my off-road recovery kit, I opted to stop where FR-180 junctions with FR-119. It's about two miles down FR-119 to the official Telephone Trailhead. For what it's worth, 119 is narrow, rocky, and has huge ruts. The ruts were full of muddy standing water, although these have clearly been problem spots for years. Previous drivers have made new paths that go around the damaged sections of 119.
The two-mile walk being a nice warm-up, we reached the official start of Telephone Trail. I was pleasantly surprised to find the steep descent into the canyon to be on a well-maintained, easy-to-follow footpath. We took our time ensuring good footing on the steeper sections. In short time the trail leveled out a bit. Tall pines and oaks offered some shade. We reached the meadows at the bottom of Chevelon Canyon. The namesake Chevelon Creek was flowing strong in the bottom of the canyon.
While the official trail ends soon as you reach the canyon floor, footpaths can be identified following the creek. Chevelon is a popular route for backpackers, as the number of fire rings will attest to. We went upstream a ways, marveling at the rock formations and lush forest that define this canyon.
The hike back up went rather easily, although two more road miles awaited us back to where I had parked the truck. At the trailhead there was now parked a Chevy Trailblazer...on street tires. I'm not sure how that car got through those muddy spots on the 119 road. I may have a 4x4 truck, but I'm a big wimp when it comes to treacherous forest roads.
Regardless, this hike afforded spectacular Chevelon Canyon views and a nice glimpse into the interior of Chevelon's ecosystem.
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