DESTINATION Generic 370 Photosets
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| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
1,540 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | | | |
| 1,540 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | | Drove over from Prescott after work to meet John and Jason in Cypress Thicket for a car-camping and off trail waterfall adventure among the junipers and cypress. From our basecamp near the junction of Rye Creek and Rock Creek, John drove us up Rock Creek road (FR 442) to the Center Creek area, where we set off on foot. I was excited to show them the waterfall I had been obsessed with for the past couple of years. After dropping into the canyon at point 4380', the going became slow, as the overgrown, horrendous oak brush began a bloodletting gauntlet. We zigzagged up and down the north canyon slopes, dodging as much brush as we could, enjoying the poppy and lupine show, and spooking a rattlesnake. Upon getting close enough for a decent photo of the falls, I pulled out my 10 pounds of manual camera gear and went to work. We were all ready to call it a day. On the drive back, we stopped to explore the Collom Mine site, where vinca ground-cover and the remnants of a child's ancient treehouse brought hints of life to an otherwise lonesome spot. A nameless side trail closer to camp yielded some interesting prehistoric artifacts, including a white limestone arrowhead with a crinoid fossil in it. It was tempting to take it, but I left it where it lay. Drove out via the north end of Cypress Thicket the next morning, and stopped to admire the beautiful scene at Mineral Creek Trailhead. A great adventure in the comparatively lush, pre-wildfire destruction Mazatzals. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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