Fourteen hikers with leadership potential participated in the Arizona Trailblazers Hike Leader Training hike at Deer Creek. Located in the Mazatzal Wilderness area, Deer Creek offers a variety of beautiful scenery.

It was a brisk morning with the promise of a beautiful day as the hikers set off.

The hike begins in the desert then heads down to the creek into what was once a lush riparian forest of cottonwoods and sycamore trees.

Much of this area has been damaged by forest fire and the once-beautiful trees are now nothing more than stark silhouettes against the sky.

However, re-growth is visible and this day the area was alive with colorful flowers and teeming with insects.

Following alongside the creek, the group hiked about 3.5 miles, crossing the dry creek several times. Several hikers wanted to continue a bit further but the majority ruled and a suitable lunch spot was found between the walls of a steep canyon.

Unbeknownst to the group, we had stopped very close to the gravesite of the man who homesteaded this area, Davey Gowen.

If we had gone a bit further, we surely would’ve located the homesteader’s final resting spot. Regardless, we enjoyed our lunch break; then agreed to hike back down to the creek.

Trailblazers explore the site of a former ranch.
Debbie discusses our return route with Joan and Aaron.

A few hikers shared their hesitations about taking on the responsibilities of hike leading; these were discussed as were the benefits of hike leading.

After the leader training was over, the group hiked back the way it had come.

Total distance covered was approximately 7 ½ miles with an elevation change of +-900'.

The hike was definitely a success: nice weather, beautiful scenery, good company and the promise of new hike leaders for the Trailblazers!