Vineyard Trail -Tonto National Forest

On October 24th, I hiked the Vineyard Trail from highway 188. This trail was harder than I anticipated because I had a head cold. The night before, I went to bed with a sore throat and woke up congested, and feeling like crap, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from doing a 10 mile round trip hike. However, I spent much of the hike sneezing and coughing, and resting more frequently. So, at 4.75 miles into the hike I chose to turn around, for a total round trip hike of 9.5 miles, but it was better than not hiking at all. It was a beautiful trail with great views, and I looked forward to a good night of sleep.

Every morning depression and OCD nag at me so I try to get up early and go hiking every day. It's my favorite way to start the day. However, I'm going to wait for this cold to pass before I hit the trail again, and I also have to work the next few days. Instead, I'm going to use my free time to find new trails.

Trailhead is located by the road.

The trail I hiked. It was 4.75 miles one way.

Black Top Mesa - Superstition Mountains

On October 17, I hiked 11.4 miles round trip to the top of Black Top Mesa in the Superstition Mountains. It's an easy 4.5 mile hike along the Dutchman Trail to Bull Pass Trail, then it gets harder going up to Bull Pass Saddle to a faint 0.6 mile trail on the right to the top of Black Top Mesa. It's steep but not hard.  The views from the mesa are some of the best in the Superstition Mountains.

Weaver's Needle

Black  Top Mesa

Black Top Mesa

Pusch Peak - Santa Catalina Mountains

This was a very steep and challenging 3.7 mile round trip hike to the summit from the Linda Vista Trailhead.

 

Red Tank Draw Petroglyphs

Out of all the numerous petroglyphs in the Sedona area, Red Tank Draw is one of the least known, and difficult to find. Red Tank Draw is a tributary canyon of the Wet Beaver Creek. Last spring was my first attempt to find this rock art, and after a couple hours of wandering around Red Tank Draw I gave up. So, on October 11th, I tried again, and found it! Remember to never touch the petroglyphs.

Red Tank Draw

Abineau - Bear Jaw Loop Trail - San Francisco Peaks

On October 7th, I drove to Flagstaff, to see the leaves changing color on the Aspen trees. I did the 6.8 mile Abineau - Bear Jaw Loop Trail on the north slope of the San Francisco Peaks. This beautiful trail begins at 8,536 feet and rises to 10,284. I went clockwise starting on the Bear Jaw Trail, and soon I was in the golden groves of Aspen trees. Eventually you arrive at Waterline Road which is closed to vehicles. At this higher elevation you are mostly among Douglas Firs, and Aspen.