Pine Mt Wilderness

[overrocked]

Drove past Dugas to Salt Flat Campground Thursday and hiked to Willow Springs Trail Marker to camp. My Camelbak leaked slightly and I used too much water hiking and camping overnight to make the loop. Lost the trail to Verde Rim just past the junction and returned to Salt Flat Campground to car camp. I learned my limits on this hike, but had a great time. The whole trail is SHADED for one thing, and Sycamore Creek was running up to the Wilderness boundary (1/2 mile) good for soaking feet! Very clean campground, and only 20 miles from I-17. Didn't need 4 wheel drive, but sure needed medium to medium high clearance on FR68. Great drive, Great hike. Highs in the 80's and low to 40 at night. Bugs were only bothersome at dusk, and then not horribly bad. I want to cache water perhaps and try this again. Anyone interested let me know! I hate not getting to where I want to.
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Your life is dyed the color of your imagination

[Shawn]

I thought there was a fire there last year or the year before, did you see the remains? I did the 12 mile loop to Pine Mtn a few years ago, lots of downed trees, but they hadn't burned.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

[overrocked]

yes, there was a fire. don't know how much ground it covered, but there still were a lot of live trees. It's amazing how a mature tree can overcome a major fire. You know, the ones the logging companies want to cut.
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Your life is dyed the color of your imagination