Saturday, September 21, 2013 part of our group got up before the sun to head north to passage 31 near Flagstaff. I was already in the area and planned to meet up with them before heading to the trail head. We will be tackling the AZ Trail in little bits. For several weeks each of us did some research to determine what section would be a good place to start! After combing over all types of maps, such as the forest road maps, street maps, AZ Trail hiking map, we thought we had a game plan to start near Fisher Point and hike our way down to Marshall Lake.
After a breakfast stop in Camp Verde and a Starbucks drive thru, Ahyoka, Trekker, and Begochidi met up with me at a rendezvous point at the junction of Porky's Restaurant and Chevron, which has a bathroom. Next, we hit the road according to the map in search of a way to connect to the AZ Trail near Fisher Point. After many attempts to get past the new home developments (Beautiful custom home tour!), it appears many of the forest roads have been blocked off. Finally finding access to a forest road, (should be called mud and ruts) we drove for about four miles through the forest. We finally stopped when the un-maintained mud road ahead looked like a lake. The commuter car was rejecting this premise of off-roading. We advise taking the 4x4 for the next trip. We paused in the forest to revise Plan A and envisioned a Plan B. (See photo below - To many maps, not enough roads) So we turned back to town to finalize Plan B. First stop at the Mobile to get a hat and check out the restrooms. Passing by Subway we determined it was lunch and time to refuel.
After a breakfast stop in Camp Verde and a Starbucks drive thru, Ahyoka, Trekker, and Begochidi met up with me at a rendezvous point at the junction of Porky's Restaurant and Chevron, which has a bathroom. Next, we hit the road according to the map in search of a way to connect to the AZ Trail near Fisher Point. After many attempts to get past the new home developments (Beautiful custom home tour!), it appears many of the forest roads have been blocked off. Finally finding access to a forest road, (should be called mud and ruts) we drove for about four miles through the forest. We finally stopped when the un-maintained mud road ahead looked like a lake. The commuter car was rejecting this premise of off-roading. We advise taking the 4x4 for the next trip. We paused in the forest to revise Plan A and envisioned a Plan B. (See photo below - To many maps, not enough roads) So we turned back to town to finalize Plan B. First stop at the Mobile to get a hat and check out the restrooms. Passing by Subway we determined it was lunch and time to refuel.
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| To many maps, not enough roads! |
Several hours later, arriving at Sandy Canyon Campgrounds, Gilligan's Island has nothing on us! We forged off to find the Sandy Canyon Trailhead that would connect with the AZ Trail. According to the maps and descriptions, it would be a really short hike! <Guffaw!>
We started out with a mile and half hike from the Sandy Trail Campground trail head to join with the AZ Trail. As we climbed in and out of the Sandy Canyon we met some great fellow adventurers and their four legged companions.
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| After hiking through Sandy Canyon, we found the AZ Trail |
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| Elk have been here recently |
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| Horned Toad crossed our pathway |
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| At one of the junctions looking at the San Francisco Peaks |
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| Made it to Marshall Lake |
After all is said and done we hiked 7.5 miles. At Marshall Lake, we meet up with Begochidi who had the car, thank GOD! Guess what?! There was water in Marshall Lake! Sorry, no picture, we were so DONE and ready for dinner at Olive Garden in Flagstaff.
We are all a little geeky and love to document data, below is the GPS data:
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| Elevation change Passage 31 Bit 1 |
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| GPS Trail Map Passage 31 Bit 1 |
Until our next bit...
