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.