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for this series of loops. Difficulty increases with ○ drive and features RV parking, restrooms ○ ○ and various deciduous trees, create our
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each week. Great way to get in shape and burn ○ and even some nice interpretive signs. ○ own “color country.” In the fall when the
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off those extra holiday calories! Easy, 2 mi. (*) ○ You may need to arm-wrestle someone ○ leaves are turning, this hike can become
Sun. 1, “Up the Chute” - Jack will take ○ ○ for a parking spot, but your patience will ○ ○ a sensory overload!
you from Red Springs, 450 ft. up a rocky ravine ○ ○ be rewarded because Pine Creek offers ○ ○ The next stop along the Pine Creek
(sheep love it) to a panoramic vista, then back ○ something for everyone. It’s a great place ○ Trail is a little fixer-upper opportunity
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over hills and washes. Stren., 5 mi. (+) ○ to walk around a bit and take in the view, ○ ○ called the Wilson Homestead. At first
Sat. 7, “Mystery March” - You won’t know ○ ○ but it’s also a perfect spot for an outing ○ ○ glance, it seems to be a plain old founda-
where you’re going until you get there. Stren., ○ ○
○ with the kids, as the trail is fairly easy ○ tion from a small cabin, but take the time
5+ mi. (*) ○ ○
○ and even educational. Birders and natu- ○ to look a little closer and you’ll begin to
Sun. 8, “Feeling Loopy II” - I hope every- ○ ○
○ ralists will enjoy the meadow and riparian experience the history of this place as you
one will “lichen” this series. Enjoy this second ○
○ areas; hikers will love the world-class ○ imagine the people that once lived here.
hike while exploring what is on top of the rocks. ○ ○ ○
Easy/Mod., 2.5 mi. (*) ○ ○ rock scrambling in the canyon, and ○ You can still see traces of yellow paint
○ climbers have more than enough routes on the concrete walls and bits of embed-
Sat. 14, “Mystery March” - Do you find
○ to keep them busy for days. ○ ded wood from a window sash. You
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yourself wondering where various canyons and ○
○ The main obstacle at Pine Creek is ○ wonder what life must have been like for
washes go? Do you enjoy the feeling of your ○ ○
heart pounding with the excitement of discov- ○ ○ the rather steep descent from the parking ○ the Wilson family so long ago. Listen qui-
ery and exercise? Join Melissa to seek the ○ ○ lot down to the canyon leg of the trail.
unknown. Stren., 5+ mi.(*) ○ The original access route was longer
Sun. 15, “Feeling Loopy III” - The ever- ○ ○ and softer, but a few people be-
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greens of Red Rock will be the objects of our ○ gan shortcutting down the
affection as we travel our third loop. Mod., ○ side of the hill and
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3 mi. (*) ○ eventually created this
Sun. 15, “Following Badger Trail” - In ○ ○ somewhat challenging
Cottonwood Valley west of SR160 is a neat up ○ 12% grade that has
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and down trail where mustangs roam. We’ll do ○ now become the “offi-
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the same with Jack telling Mt. Potosi yarns. Mod/ ○ cial” trailhead. It
Stren., 6 mi. (+) doesn’t take many people cutting a trail ○ etly to the singing birds overhead, water
Sat. 21, “Mystery March” - Burn off some ○ to impact the desert permanently. See . . . ○ ○ bubbling peacefully in the creek below,
pre-holiday stress on another great exploration ○ ○
○ it’s already educational! ○ and wind softly blowing through the
day. Stren.+, 5+ mi. (*) ○ Be sure to pack some water and don’t ○ canyon, rustling the leaves of the trees.
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Sun. 22, “Feeling Loopy IV” - Diversity ○ ○ forget your camera or sketchbook, ○ There are spirits here, and they’ll tell you
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within Red Rock’s plant life on the White Rock ○ because this hike offers plenty of inspi- ○ their story if you take the time to listen.
Loop. Mod/Stren., 6 mi. (*) ○ ○ ○
Sat. 28, “Mystery March” - Our mission: ○ ○ rational scenery. The first thing on your ○ ○ From the cabin, the trail continues
○ agenda should be a little side trip along ○ across the meadow toward Pine Creek.
explore, enjoy and work those major muscle ○ ○
groups. Stren.+, 5+ mi. (*) ○ the Fire Ecology Trail to learn about the Look closely at the well-traveled dirt path
○ desert’s natural fire recovery process. ○ and among the boot tracks and dog prints,
Sun. 29, “Feeling Loopy V” - The final ○ ○
challenge! Finish the year feeling stronger and ○ ○ This educational trail loops back onto the ○ ○ you’ll see evidence of the nighttime visi-
fit. Stren., 11 mi. (*) ○ main route, where you continue west until ○ tors as well. Deer, coyotes, burros and
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○ ○ other critters all leave their prints in the
○ you cross the intersection of Dale’s Trail.
○ Check out the remains of the old stone ○ ○ meadow. You can hike a 1-mile loop trail
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from here by crossing the creek and mak-
BOOT TRACKS ○ ○ gate here that used to mark the entrance ○ ○ ○ ing a right turn. The path can be a little
by Tom Pfaendler ○ ○ to the Wilson ranch. The mountain views ○ tough to follow, so pay attention to the
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from this point are fantastic: Mt. Wilson
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hhh . . . Pine Creek Canyon. ○ to the far left, Rainbow Mountain, Rain- ○ route and try not to make any new short
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This is one of the most popular ○ bow Wall and Juniper Peak, Mescalito ○ ○ cuts. The loop is a bit more challenging
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Aplaces to experience the full ○ ○ straight ahead; Bridge Mountain on the ○ ○ than the main trail, but you’ll be rewarded
splendor of Red Rock. The trailhead is at ○ right. The towering red, black and gray ○ ○
the 10-mile point around the scenic loop mountains, combined with juniper, pine, Boot Tracks, continued on page 7