Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Little Saddle Trail Day Hike
| when? |
Saturday, December 16, 2006:
Trip Report
|
| where? |
Mazatzal Wilderness Area
|
| the hike |
The Little Saddle Mountain Trail is part of the Arizona Trail and offers
spectacular views, including towering rock gorges and an abundant variety of
trees and cacti. The trail receives little use – it follows
Sycamore Creek for the first half of the hike, then crosses the creek several
times, but a recent exploratory hike revealed little water.
The first two miles are partially shaded with pinyon, juniper, sycamore,
and ash trees. The trail then rises out of the creek bottom and tops out with
a panoramic view of the Mazatzal Mountains. We will hike about 3.25 miles,
stop for a lunch break at the top, then return the way we came.
What to bring:
| • |
at least 3 liters of water and lunch |
| • |
sunblock, hat, sunglasses |
| • |
sturdy hiking boots |
| • |
long pants (there is overgrown prickly brush) |
|
| distance |
6.5 miles (round trip) |
| time |
5 hours |
| EC |
+-1300' elevation change |
| elevations |
3720' (Cross F Trailhead) to 5020' (panorama)
|
| type |
round trip |
| on trail |
100% — Little Saddle Trail #244 |
| dogs? |
yes — on leash |
| hike rating |
"C+" [fairly easy] |
| cost |
$0, though riders should share the cost of gas.
The club will allow voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member. |
| weather |
Payson.
|
| meet |
8:00 AM in the parking lot of the Target Center on the south
side of Shea Blvd., about a mile west of Highway 87 (Beeline).
For those leaving their cars behind, please park up against
the north curb away from Target.
|