Spring was very late -- 2" of snow a couple of weeks before we arrived.
We realized after we unpacked that we had left our suitcase in living room of D310--even after spending 2 nights in Palm Springs while on the way to Sedona. Sean got the suitcase, transferred it to a box and shipped it via UPS to Arroyo Roble -- Got it by Friday
My Acer Aspire computer died -- bought new Toshiba netbook at Flagstaff Best Buy
Suzanne Olivier visited us Thursday to Monday--flew to Phoenix and drove up. Took her on Caruth trail, Chapel and Red Rock Crossing.
After she left, Elaine and I did Soldier's Pass trail past Devil's Kitchen, 7 Sacred Pools to the start of the wilderness. Elaine turned around there and walked back on the jeep road. I went on to the "Alcoves" -- three arches along the side of the cliff. No Indian ruins seemed to be there.
Elaine drove me to Schnebly Hill Road trailhead, and I did the Huckaby trail.
Huckaby Trail May 2011
It was a pretty easy trail most of the way and had a good view of Oak Creek as it ran by Arroyo Roble. However most of the hike was in view of city, homes, or highway. Near the end there was a fairly steep walk down to the creek bed. The trail just stops near Midgley bridge --and I was forced to wade across the creek. I then took a wrong turn and ended up in dead end up the creek bed that is under the bridge. I finally found the correct, and relatively easy trail back to the bridge and met Elaine --but was about a half hour late.
Elaine dropped me off at Thunder Mountain Trailhead on Friday Morning, and I walked to the Sugarloaf Trailhead -- with one side trip.
Thunder Mountain May 2011
It also was in view of civilization most of the trail. But it was very scenic and not too strenuous.
Nancy Reany/Rieckhoff came up on Friday night, and Nancy Lunetta and her friend Libby came up on Saturday night -- Mother's day brunch at Enchantment
Fall 2011
We spent only three nights but Bill & I got two great hikes. Aroyo Roble Unit 1116
Baby Everett was born on September 1st, so we rented our two weeks at Arroyo Roble -- the first week starting Sep 21st, to Bill & Sue, and the second week to Darlene & Randy Agron, from Tucson. Elaine and I drove over to Sedona on Friday and spent Friday night through Sunday night with them. Bill and I went on two excellent hikes. Elaine and Sue did garage sales on Saturday, and interesting shopping on Sunday.
Our first hike was from the Broken Arrow trailhead to Chicken Point. We thought the scenery was very nice along the trail, and the view from Chicken Point was excellent -- It surprised me that the view was looking South to Bell Rock. However I thought the noise from the many jeep tours that were making the same trip--but on a lower road, reduced the pleasure of the hike. Probably would have been better to do that hike on a non-weekend day, when there would be fewer jeeps. Here are our photos;
Then, Sunday morning, Bill and I did Boynton Canyon to the end. Elaine and I had done part of the trail in previous years--but never all the way to the end. I don't like the first mile or so where the trail goes along a fence which encloses the Enchantment Resort -- the trail goes up and down, and the view is somewhat more boring. There were a lot of people on the trail and we met several who came from Pennsylvania.. The view at the end, and the view from a side trip to a lookout spot about half way up the trail was fabulous, and made the trip worth while. A lot of the last half of the trail reminded me of West Fork trail, without any water. The trail crossed back and forth over a dry creek that was about the same width as West Fork. It might be a very interesting trail in the Spring after rain or when snow melt gives the creek a little water. We did spot a few wildflowers, but they were pretty scarce. Here's a link to photos that Bill and I took along the trail:
