Camp Verde, AZ
May 16, 2015
No changes in the weather all week-end. Saturday also dawned with a slight chance of rain, no thunder storms, a hike chosen, and two enthusiastic adventurers.
As we drove into Sedona, the clouds were hanging low. We made a left turn onto Jordan Road off 89A just past the "Y" on the north side of town.
Another left turn on Park Ridge Rd which started out paved, but quickly changed to dirt...make that mud!
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| The forest was green and wet... |
The first mile or so offered a gentle rise...
and was a good warm up for the rock scramble to the top that came next.
What a reward...
After a few minutes spent taking in the clean, fresh air, and the huge views, we were on our way. We walked across the mesa (which is not horizontal like Doe Mesa, but rather a tilted "plate") from east to west and down we went...this time into a different canyon.
Beautiful Arizona spruce with gray bark lined the path along with wildflowers. There were several creek crossings as the path twisted and turned thru the canyon.
When we reached the end of the trail, we had hiked all the way to FR 152. That is the gravel road we took to get to the Devil's Bridge and Vultee Arch trailheads.
Our return trip was the same...
a nice climb up the west side of Brins Mesa...
a meadow walk across the mesa...we hurried as the rain was chasing us and gaining fast...
and a scramble down the east side.
The rains did catch us just as we were going down the edge on the east side.
Yet another hike we highly recommend for its heart pumping, deep breathing, gorgeous forest, beautiful mesa, and because it was just dang fun! I am so glad we didn't let the weather deter us as the low clouds and mist added so much to the splotches of sunshine we enjoyed.
Until next time, play in the mud...
and happy trails!
P.S. We ended the day with a stunning Arizona sky!
