An OK Day on Camelback

Weather:  76º, sun

Time:  34 minutes

About this Hike:  It's one of the coolest and wettest Octobers on record the TV weather say.  I originally planned to hike Camelback yesterday morning, but just as I was about to leave it started to rain.  And rain.  And rain some more. In fact, rain didn't let up until just after 3pm yesterday. 

People post majestic pictures of the waterfalls that form on Camelback during rain.  Much as I'd love to experience that firsthand, the slick rocks and fear of falls/injury kept me indoors during a rare rainy Saturday in Phoenix. 

But today the clouds had parted and the sun shone once again in Phoenix.  I had a theory that with last week's win all the fair-weather Cardinals fans would be watching the game.  In past years during the autumn NFL season this theory has proved true and trailheads have been empty.

Today that was not the case.  Camelback was packed.  I had trouble getting parking, and when I did, it was a spot I was less than comfortable leaving my car in.  The trails were crowded, and many hikers were from out of town based on their conversations, lack of trail etiquette, etc.

Parts of the trail were still damp, and at one point a little stream was tricking down the mountainside.  Very cool.  Otherwise, I was admittedly grumpy on this hike.  The crowds, constant bottlenecks, people nipping at my heels, worrying about my car in the parking lot—it all kinda got to me. 

But, in the end my car was OK.  And I was OK.  And it was a good workout on this beautiful October Sunday afternoon. 

King of Camelback

Weather:  99º, sun

Time:  36 minutes

About this Hike:  The Sonoran Desert hasn't gotten the memo:  No 110º after Labor Day!  Today's heat is above-average for mid-September.  Perhaps this is what drove hikers away and allowed for a nearly empty parking lot at Echo Canyon this morning.

I was surprised that I posted a 36 minute time to the summit.  However, I think my S-Health app may have started inadvertently auto-pausing the timer when I stop for a rest.  I planned to offer myself a generous handicap, but when I saw the 36 minute time, I decided to record it as official.   

There were a lot of rest and hydration stops today.  My nearly 24-oz electrolyte water bottle was gone before the summit.  (Don't worry, I carry plenty of extra water.)  In spite of this, my core temperature was high today.

A unique occurrence happened shortly after I summited.  One other guy was up there.  He began his descent and I had the summit to myself.  I was King of the Mountain.  This may have happened one other time on Camelback.  It for-sure happened once on a brisk winter morning (by Sonoran Desert standards!) atop Piestewa. 

At least I sure hope I was king.  I posed my phone on a rock, set the camera timer, and took some goofy selfies next the Camelback summit post—not planning to post those on here though!

The relative solitude made a for a certain zen on this hike, despite the high temps.  On the way down two guys temporarily ruined my zen while talking about how they needed to find a nice place to fall, because they owe this to fate and just want to get it over with.  One even talked about how he needed to crack his tailbone.  I got away from them...I don't need negative energy and vibes like that... As it is I stress a lot on these hikes.  We all see the mountain rescues on local Phoenix TV stations.  I'm an extremely careful hiker.  The only stat I want to be is one of the thousands who climbs Camelback, has an awesome time, and then goes home.

Today was otherwise a perfect, hot hike.

Echo Canyon & Mountain Rescue

Weather:  95º, humid, sun

Time:  36 minutes

About this Hike:  After a week visiting family in Upstate NY it was time for a good Phoenix hike again.  Much heavy restaurant food was consumed, all washed down with plenty of local craft brews.  It was time to sweat it out and get back to feeling good about myself again.

Parking was abundant this morning, although other hikers slowed me down a few times.  That, and the scorching desert sun, plus monsoon humidity, did nothing to help my time to the top.  The views from the summit were exceptionally clear this morning, with haze being heaviest over the east valley. 

On descent I moved wrong and hurt my right shoulder.  It's not severe at all, but it put a damper on the remainder of the hike and left me pondering ominous what-if questions.  However, as I slung myself down the steep embankment where there's just one railing for both sides, I noted a guy with cuts on the side of his face also gripping the railing.  He was conversing with other hikers as he worked his way down, so I didn't think much of it. 

Distant sirens began to approach the Echo Canyon parking lot.  As I finished the railings and rounded the railroad-tie stairs, the parking area came into view.  Fire trucks and EMTs were pulling in.

As I neared the trailhead, EMTs laden with the big wheel and other life-saving gear were on the ascent.  An EMT asked a hiker in front of me if she'd seen the guy and they discussed his injury.  It was the guy I saw with the scrapes on the side of his face.  I hope he's OK, and I wouldn't be surprised if we get the story on tonight's local news. 

This afternoon as I type my blog my right shoulder is fine.  It maybe feels a bit tight, but then again I've been having a lot of unrelated shoulder problems these past few weeks.  I have much to be grateful for including a beautiful, safe hike this morning.

Post-Monsoon Camelback Echo Canyon

Weather:  97º, humid, sun

Time:  35 minutes

About this Hike:  Temps might be lower, but humidity is waaay up.  Last night we had a thorough soaking from the third monsoon storm in a row. I'm not complaining though; we need this rain bad.

The humidity definitely slowed me down a bit, what with frequent water breaks.  Otherwise, the mountain wasn't overly crowded today, but it wasn't desolate either.  Parking in the main lot was easy.

The trails were well dried out, as the desert soil seems to do.  Erosion from rain and hikers' boots is definitely prevalent on the Echo Canyon trail right now. 

At the summit there were gnats and dragonflies everywhere, hence why I didn't stay long.  Today was a routine, enjoyable monsoon-season hike.

See Canyon #184 - Up the Rim

Weather:  88º, humid, partly cloudy

About this Hike:  See Canyon has been on the bucket list for a while now.  A last-minute deal at Kohl's Ranch outside of Payson meant this was to be another rim weekend. 

See Canyon trail traverses the Mogollon Rim, and if you're daring (as we were), allows you to hike up the entire rim in just under four miles.

There are two trailheads for #184.  One is in the little community of Christoper Creek just off AZ-260 E, and this is the one we opted to park at.  From Christopher Creek Loop, you simply turn onto FR 284 (confusing, since the trail number is 184) and follow it to a large parking area.  FR 284 is a good dirt road with a few sections that might be considered light rock crawl.  Other than that it's good, packed dirt. 

The other trailhead is on top of the rim.  It branches off from FR-300, also known as Rim Road.  Think of this like the Grand Canyon:  Get the easy downhill part over with first, and then hike back up it afterward!

We're the type who like to eat the frogs first...  This meant climbing the rim first and then taking it easy on the way down.  The hike starts in typical, beautiful Arizona high-country forest.  There are several crossings over Christopher Creek, which had just the right amount of water following weeks of monsoon activity this summer.  It's noteworthy to mention that the numerous washes along this trail were otherwise dry. 

Trail 184 eventually begins its steady ascent to the top of the rim.  The worst is at the end, with a steep section of light scree that requires some careful hand and foot work to ensure stable footing.  Shortly thereafter the sound of OHVs becomes more apparent.  Rim Road comes into sight. 

The hike down is a nice way to decompress.  Christopher Creek is at ~5,900 feet, while the Rim Road trailhead sits at close to 7,900 feet.  This hike involves nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in just under four miles! 

While we didn't see abundant wildlife on this hike, we did meet a few interesting fellow hikers. These included people with loppers and axes that mercifully were not something out of a horror movie... In fact, they were part of a service organization that maintains the trails.  A sign denotes this not too far from the trailhead.  Their service was appreciated, as soft, monsoon-fed grasses were making for some light bushwhacking in spots. 

Last year some people at Beaver Creek near Sedona were water angels to another hiker that was with me (and didn't prepare accordingly).  Our hike might've been cut short if they hadn't saved the day with an extra water bottle.  I've wished to pay this forward, and today was our chance.  We met a friendly, but exhausted couple on trail in need of some extra water.  Word of advice:  Trail #184 is NOT a mountain biking trail.  Unless, that is, you like carrying your bike up 2,000 feet over nearly four miles.

Epilogue:  This hike took about four hours total.  Next on the agenda was a drive up Rim Road to Bear Canyon Lake for some kayaking.  One more beautiful canyon-bound, pine-enshrouded, rim lake checked off the bucket list. 

On the way up to Bear Canyon Lake we spotted the Rim Road trailhead for See Canyon #184.  We also spotted a familiar couple now on their mountain bikes pedaling along Rim Road. Kind of ironic...

Blue Ridge Reservoir

Weather:  78, clouds and sun, t-storms

About this Trip:  The canyon-bound, serpentine Blue Ridge Reservoir (also known as the C.C. Cragin Reservoir) has intrigued me for a while now.  This spring’s unfortunate Tinder Fire, my interest in the Rim Lakes, and the recent lifting of all fire restrictions spurred my curiosity about this location. 

The drive is easy from Phoenix.  Take the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) north thru Payson, Pine, and Strawberry.  Turn right at well-signed Forest Rd. 751 and follow it to the lake.  FR 751 is a graded dirt road.

When I arrived Saturday afternoon I expected big crowds from the ‘heavy’ usage rating given by the Forest Service.  My first stop was to setup camp at Rock Crossing Campground.  The fee is $8/night at this campground. 

Admittedly I’ve never been much of a camper, so I’m learning as I go.  Pro tip:  Bring exact change and/or your checkbook (checks are accepted at the self-pay stations).  I ended up finding some kind campers who broke a $20 for me, but I still made a $2 donation above the $8 fee to the USFS.  I’m OK with it because USFS and our public lands are awesome.

No sooner was I checked in to the campground than an aggressive thunderstorm blew in––common on the Rim during monsoon season.  Rather than sit in my car at the campground, I decided to get ready for kayaking and drive down to the lake.  Monsoon storms seldom last long. 

Upon my arrival at the lake, kayakers, swimmers, and paddleboarders were hastily exiting the water––smart idea when lightening is overhead.  Thanks to this mass exodus, I scored one of only six parking spots on the paved boat ramp.  Overflow parking is in the dirt lot up a steep hill. 

The storm slowed briefly, then started up again, this time with hail.  Thankfully it was soft hail and not the type that would’ve done damage to my truck.  In fact, watching the hail hit the lake down in the canyon below was an interesting sight.

Sufficiently sure the storm had moved on, myself and a few other brave souls made our way down the steep boat ramp (the lake is very low right now) and launched.  I went to the right (east) from the launch point.  Within a short time I reached a murky, muddy swamp.  The rich, saturated soil was carpeted with tender, green plants.  Blame the low water levels. 

Turning around, I headed west and then southwest along the narrow, winding lake.  It’s something like a canyon-bound river (minus the current) with steep, etched sandstone cliffs and evergreen high-country foliage.  

Eventually I reached the Blue Ridge Dam.  Testament to low water levels, the spillway loomed no less than 100 feet above me.  There’s no buoy line and you can go right up to this dam if you like.  I prefer to stay away for fear of being sucked under the dam. 

Shortly after passing the dam I had a tipping point.  The sky was filling with dark clouds.  I heard a rumble of thunder.  Nervous and alone on this remote part of the lake, I turned back.  In AZ Monsoon fashion the clouds broke up and skirted the lake.  The intense sunshine returned and I decided once again to pull a 360 and continue up the lake.  Shortly thereafter I reached the other end of the lake.  A muddy swampy mess greeted me again.  All told, I covered this lake at its current fill level in about three hours. 

In the early spring I may want to return to Blue Ridge.  Assuming reasonable winter precip (something 2017-18 lacked) the locals say this lake fills to the brim and the spillway activates.  I’d love to see more of this narrow, winding waterway when it’s full.

Monsoon Clouds, Giant Swallowtails, & Camelback

Weather:  93º, humid, cloudy

Time:  33.5 minutes

About this Hike:  Monsoon 2018 is in full force.  Temps area little lower, humidity levels are higher, and clouds are hanging over the Valley.  While the blazing sun was not an issue today, the humidity definitely took it's toll on my time up the mountain.

Initially, I thought weather conditions may spur a rush of hikers at Echo Canyon, filling up the parking lot.  I probably was correct early this morning.  The 'Lot Full' sign was tossed to the side, but precariously close to blocking the entrance.  Upon my mid-morning arrival parking was abundant.  Again, I needlessly burned two-times the Vitamin G by driving the Xterra instead of the Mazda.  (I do this because I'm particular about where I park the Mazda; I'm more lenient with the old Xterra.)

It was an enjoyable hike on crowd-free trails.  Views from the top were beautiful in the gray light, and the air around the Valley seems cleaner now that this rain-less spell is behind us.  Large black butterflies (Giant Swallowtails?) swarmed the summit as they often do once monsoon moisture gets in the air. 

All in all, a fantastic day for a hike on the camel's back.