| when | July 22, 2017 |
| where | Big Lake/Greer |
| the hike |
Come spend some time in the cool green White Mountains and practice
hiking at 9000 ft elevation.
Many fishermen have discovered an active section of the river along the Thompson Trail and have returned again and again for the ambience and solitude. Tall Douglas fir, willow and aspen line the 6.5-mile (round trip) trail that follows the West Fork of the Black River. With a grant from the Heritage Fund, the Thompson Trail was built in a combined effort by the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and several volunteers. It is noted as some of the most beautiful country within the district. To protect soil and water resources the trail is only open to hiking. Bikes, horses or motorized vehicles are not allowed. Spectacular waterfalls are created by the fast running water, especially under the large rock and cement structures, called “fish barriers,“ that cross the river in a couple different places. The barriers are designed to allow fish to swim downstream, keeping exotic (non-native) trout out of the upper reaches of the river and its tributaries. The old railroad berms follow the trail from above the canyon walls with some of the original railroad ties, as a reminder of the past logging that went on years ago. The old tracks carried logs from Maverick, a previously bustling logging town located deep in the Apache Reservation, to Holbrook. Hiking river trails can be difficult to follow because of the rising and falling of the water and the many marshy areas it creates, but follow the flow of the river. There are a couple of spur trails that lead to either FR 116 or FR 68, and eventually the Thompson Trail meets up with the West Fork Trail located on the east side of the river. This is where Thompson Trail ends and you can turn around and head back up-river, back up the trail, through the pines, past countless wildflowers along the melodic Black River, or we can continue the 3 miles to the West Fork Trailhead and turn around. |
| distance | 6.5-12.5 miles. Thompson is 6.5, but we could add distance by doing part of West Fork Trail 628 if the weather permits. |
| time | 4-5 hours (or more depending on distance) |
| EC | +-200' to +-400' elevation change |
| elevations | 8,600 ft - 8840 ft. West Fork is 6 miles round trip to 9000 ft. |
| type | in and out |
| on trail | 100% — Thompson Trail and possibly West Fork Trail |
| rating | "B" Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed | no |
| cost | Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather | Greer |
| meet |
Flexible leaving time Friday afternoon or evening.
We will arrange carpools from different parts of town, some in the afternoon,
some in the evening, depending on when people can leave work.
I will reserve for 2 nights, but you are welcome to come for Friday, Saturday, or both. I’ll be renting a house that can sleep 7 in Pinetop. There are many hotel rooms available in Show Low / Pinetop / Lakeside if someone wants more privacy. We will leave for the hike around 8-9 AM from Pinetop on Saturday morning. We need to hike first thing in the morning on Saturday due to the probability of afternoon rain, but can adjust per the forecast. |
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