AZT Segment 22, down hill, Mt Peeley to Sunflower

I'm thinking of doing this next Sunday, April 12. Anyone want to come along? ~16 miles, mostly down hill, will plan an early start.

PM me if interested.

Shawn · Posted: 4/12/2009, 4:39 pm Post subject:

Yup, no problem a couple cell phones, credit card and two hours didn't solve. The road turned to gumbo for a short steep section about 2-3 miles from the pavement. We couldn't go forward and going back meant into the ditch. The very nice tow truck operator came and took care of us, we followed him back down the mountain. Going through the slippery part the truck really wanted to slide down. We got back to pavement, then we went to the other trail head and hiked the 6.75 miles to Sunflower. '

Not as planned but still a good day. That short trail is flat, some old road walking, but still a very nice walk. Lots of daisy flowers.

Thanks everyone for coming and tolerating the circumstances.
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oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Hey no problem. Was not your fault! Thanks for a great day, the hike was beautiful, and the scenes toward Mt. Peeley were great!
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Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

T'was an adventure -- Shawn picked a might fine spot to get stopped. We had great views all the way around and watched the clouds lift of the range - Mt Peeley and a few other peaks had some frosting on it. The beautiful clouds and the everchanging light made for a delightful wait. Oh Yes...we also tried to grow out footware in mucky muck....we are easily amused.

Once we were extracted and safely back on good roads -- we did an abbreviated hike through some delightful terrain -- I counted 18 varieties of identifiable flowers and there were a few more that I do not know the names of. We saw cows, horses, lizards and no rabbit!

I think we hit the section we did hike at the best possible time --cool, full of color and dust free soft trails!
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azhiker96 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1419

Thanks for the enjoyable hike! I'm glad you suggested the alternate hike. That made the day!
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

wow! You guys sure had an adventure. Shawn hope there was no damage to your truck.

I had gone for a drive on Saturday---did lunch in Globe, Tonto National Monument and the Apache Trail Scenic Byway home and saw some snow.....thought about your hike, the potential for mud and the roads...even mentioned it to Ambika. Glad it all worked out for you guys. Looking forward to the pictures Smile

I thought of you guys on your long "downhill march" while I played in a beautiful pool of water surrounded with house-sized boulders, a waterfall and canyon walls out in Tortilla Creek....nice day but very humid in the morning. Of course the Easter Bunny was there just before us and had hidden candy filled easter eggs along the trail. Rolling Eyes

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Oh -- In the tow truck operator; we rubbed shoulders with some AZ history. His family came here 1893 and ran cattle till a few years ago and now he runs a tow business out of Jake's Corner -- Business 4 Peaks towing and he said they were really 24x7 .....
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Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Jakes Cornor used to be called Felton Station. Went to school with a freind whose family had a ranch in the area. One time the forest service had a district ranger office there.

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Sorry to hear of your troubles but it sounds like an adventure and you had an enjoyable day just the same. Beautiful day, views all around, cloud watching, a few critters and wildflowers. What more could you ask for. You still did hike only a different one. Some of the best things are not planned and just happen. Sounds like a good hike to me.

Seems as though the truck was tough and is OK, hope so. And you probably had an interesting chat with the local and learned some history to boot.

Yucky roads just made for a change of pace and an interesting tale to tell.
Glad you all had a great time and made it back safely.
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Ok - Shawn & I haven't given up on this segment. We want to do a truncated version of this on 26th April (Sunday). It still is mostly down hill only about 4-5 miles shorter than before --

Now its 12.5 miles downhill -- Who wants to join in on the fun ???
Come hike with us Very Happy

I am open to a car camp at Mt Peeley TH. We will need to drop of 1 vehicle at the end.

Or if some one wants to drop us off at the TH -- we will greatly appreciate it. Mr. Green

Bonus for some one dropping us off is a hike up to Mt Peeley!!!
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Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

Al_HikesAZ · Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 263 Location: Scottsdale, AZ

Cynhikr · Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197 Location: Tempe, AZ.

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

I can't make it that day, darnit. I have my niece and nephew that weekend. I am sorry I will miss out on the fun and this section. Have fun and don't get stuck again!
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Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

I'd give it a try, but I'm On-call Sad

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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Shawn & I completed the hike down from Mt Peeley to Cross F Ranch TH. It was a great hike. The flowers were blooming, the temps were just right for a long walk and we managed a drop off the Peeley TH by the new AZ trail Segment #22 Steward so no major car tricks.

We did get off course and had to backtrack ( adding about 1.5 miles to our travels ) since we were doing the "Arizona Trail". The detour had us walking by a beautiful creekside. Almost all the major drainages had seasonal water in them -- this provided for some delightful sounds and scapes, lots of butterflies. No wildlife was encountered, a few raptors soared overhead and we picked up shards from the light on a Quad. We did run into 3 other hikers.

Photos coming soon
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desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Photos Link: http://desertgirl.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album56&page=1
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Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!