Colcord Rd and Rim Trail hikes

The C Group of the Payson Packers met on the 19th of October to hike a trail on Colcord Rd, several miles east of Payson. The hike began just a short way into Colcord Rd, past the Kolb Ranch.

It turned out the A Group was also hiking in this area so with our group of about 20 or more and their group, we had quite a few people hiking in the area.

As always, it was a beautiful day. We left the cars at the trail head. Here I have to make some note for my east coast friends. This is not a marked trail. Apparently, it's state or government land tho for my part I have a lot of confusion as we pass thru gated fences and over cattle grates. I'm never sure if we're on private property or state/federal land. Additionally, what would be called dirt roads in upstate NY, are everywhere. Apparently ATV or jeep trails lead in all directions. So I'm never quite sure where we are or whether we actually have permission to be on this property. So, to go on.

The hike proceded down a dirt road, track really, in an open woods. To separate ourselves from the A group, we took a short hike down a dead end track to a fence and took a water break before heading back in the direction we came. We then walked along the track in a beautiful setting, eventually walking along and then crossing a stream.
Again, to my friend back east this is not a big deal but here, a flowing stream is something to enjoy.

We hiked along and reached an uphill section, and after a short climb, turned around and started back. At a point, the group seemed to be stopping in turns to look at something. When it came my turn, it turned out the object of attention was a tarantula! Oh, we're not in New York anymore! No one actually disturbed the critter, we just looked at it and moved on our way.

Our halfway point was a really nice little clearing that others also thought was nice as a fire ring was in the clearing. It was a nice little camping spot, not too far from the stream. Having a snack and chatting till rested, we soon moved on to complete the hike.


The way back was uneventful and we had a lovely morning out.

On the 28th of October, we met at our usual place and car pooled east on highway 260 to the 260 trail head. This is the start of the Rim Trail, a 51 mile trail running from this point west to Pine AZ.

At the trail head, a car was dispatched to the far end to spot so that car drivers could be ferried back to pick up cars and get the hikers. We started the hike with a salute to a previous hiker of the club who's ashes had been carried by her family along the trail and scattered. Also at the trailhead is signage about the trail, it's history (part of the General Crook Trail) and facts on flora and fauna of the area.

The trail does not go up to the rim edge but follows along the rim, just below it. It's relatively level and at points, has great view points of the valley below where highway 260 runs.
The trail runs thru an area where cattle are allowed to run. We had to dodge many a cow pie on the trail. It's also a horse trail so thier droppings were another trail hazard.

We stopped for snack at a little over the halfway point in an open area just past the fence holding in the cattle. Many rocks and tree trunks were in the area so just about all 29 of us had a seat of some sort.

After the break we continued on and descended into a canyon like area. Not as colerful as the east coast, there were still some trees in red and bright yellow to enjoy in the damper and deeper parts of the canyon.
Even so, we stil weren't hiking in any steep places.

We came out in a camp, in See Canyon, close to the highway where our spotter car was waiting to pick up our drivers. We had a great time and covered about 7 miles. A really good hike.

Sedona Hiking

A fair number of the C Group of the Payson Packers took the opportunity to meet in Sedona for a couple of days of hiking on October 11th and 12th. The trip organizer was Bonnie and she did a wonderful job!

We met at the Sedona Day's Inn at 1215 and carpooled to the trail head for the West Fork hike. As a note; the many hiking trails around Sedona are called the Red Rock trails. The West Fork hike follows the west fork of Oak Creek thru a canyon. Anyway, we carpooled a few miles north of Sedona to the trail head but had a bit of a delay in getting started. This was because the park parking lot was full. We hadn't considered that it was a holiday or how busy this obviously popular trail would be. After some delay we got all the cars parked and entry fees paid and began the hike with 25 people in our group.

This was originally a homestead and after a short stroll thru the old apple orchard, we came to the remains of the homestead. This was apparently a pretty well to do homesteader as the remains of the walls were well built and with some architectural style. The front of the home looked down on the creek where the remains of a mill and some lovely brick and stone trellis' remain. Also, the homesteader had carved out a small smokehouse in the sandstone cliff wall face.


Moving on, we hiked thru the canyon, following the creek. The limited sunlight and moist environment made it feel much like hiking in the Adirondacks.
The trail crosses the stream several times along the hike. There were lots of other hikers and at one point, a family was having a great time in the pools of the stream.

We hiked about 2 miles into the canyon and stopped for our snack break at the point of the trail where it begins to run thru the stream instead of beside it.
The hike back out was uneventful and no one slipped and fell into the steam!

Back at the hotel, we met at the pool for drinks then car pooled to the vacation villa where Bonnie and her husband Forrest were staying.
Bonnie put on a chili dinner with contributions from the rest of us. We had a great time eating and visiting with each other. The chili was great!

Tuesday, we checked out of the Day's Inn and met the group for the morning's hike. We again carpooled and went south of Sedona a couple of miles to the trail head for Broken Arrow Trail. This is a totally different environment from the West Fork trail. This hike is totally desert.
Since several people had to be elsewhere, only 17 of us attended this hike.

The views started out as stupendous and only got better. The trail is very well marked with stone cairns contained in wire baskets and very easy to follow. Also, given the mountains all around us, it wasn't too hilly or steep either. We stopped for views of the local famous church at a place called Chicken Point (don't you just love Arizona place names!) and had a group photo taken by two young women from Mississippi. Unfortunately, Randy's camera wasn't used for this photo so I can't share it here.

Then, well rested, we continued on to a halfway point. This location is used by the Pink Jeep tours too and we met a few groups while here.
Standing on a bare point, we had great views of the cliff faces and valley below us. Again, a couple people got group photos, and we took a snack and water break here.

Moving on, about the 3/4 point, the trail passes a sink hole. Signage at this location noted that the sink hole is used by bats and gave some info both on how a sink hole forms and on the bats that now live there. I think it is at this point that the Broken Arrow trail ends and the Little Horse Trail picks up.

So, following the Little Horse Trail, about 1130, about 2 1/2 hours after starting, we reached the trail head where Forrest and Dick were waiting to take the carpool drivers back to the cars. What a great hike. Many thanks to Bonnie for organizing the trip.