Whiterock Mesa - AZT #25 Photoset • Tortoise_Hiker • 2010-09-18 • HikeArizona.COM

Whiterock Mesa - AZT #25, AZ

	2010-09-18
	17 by Tortoise_Hiker

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Whiterock Mesa - AZT #25

Payson, AZ

Whiterock Mesa - AZT #25

Payson, AZ

Hiking	15.80 Miles	3,700 AEG

Hiking	15.80 Miles	6 Hrs 50 Mns	2.31 mph
	3,700 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Saddle Ridge Trail #14

Partners

partners

	azdesertfather	joebartels
	The_Eagle

Another section of the AZT. We took three cars to set up the shuttle this time. We got to the South parking area and started our four mile hike to the trailhead around 5:00am. I think we woke up the roosters and a couple dogs at the ranch by the trailhead. It must have been Bruce's use of his "Elk Call". I'm told the Baby Doll(now Doll Baby) Ranch was named after Caroline "Carrie Bee" McDonald who only lived 2 days and was burried on the Ranch in 1902.
We started off crossing the East Verde( very shallow) and taking our group photo. The first section has a lot of Prickly Pear cactus and Juniper.The trail was not much of a trail in a lot of spots. The gps's and Carins kept us on trail. The ground has a lot of deep cattle footprints. Some nice views but uneventful until the halfway mark when we got to Whiterock Springs. Cool spring and within a half mile of that, Joe introduced us to a Rattlesnake sunning on trail.

. The next section had some weird rocks for quite aways. It seemed like a boneyard?. After that, good ol catsclaw!! Ouch and I had pants on. Once you make it through there it's on to some Pines and Juniper than just Juniper and the rock fields. I think this is the rockiest area I've seen so far on the AZT. Some more nice views and some yellow flowered brush and back to the car. We stopped in Pine at HB's Place for lunch. Mmm, pretty good chili burger. Thanks for lunch Dave. From there back to Payson to drop Dave off at his car so he could get home in time for work while Joe,Bruce and I could go fetch our other car. Setting up the shuttles can be part of the adventure and it's nice that everyone is understanding and easygoing to make it work. On the way back we got stuck behind a parade on Mainstreet and had to detour

Another great adventure on the AZT. Thanks to Joe,Dave and Bruce for making these possible and quite the adventures!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Black Rattlesnake

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Spring Box

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