Arizona Trailblazers - Trip Report

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Deer Creek
Day Hike

Mazatzal
Wilderness

October 6, 2007

by Debbie M.

GPS Route Map

Head for the hills! Future hike leaders climb the Deer Creek Trail.

Variegated rocks speak of eons of weathering and erosion.

    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.

O.K. for lunch, but don’t come here in a storm!

Autumnal glory livens the Deer Creek Trail.

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.

The group settled in the shade underneath some trees with some small pools of water in the creek bottom. Here several of the club’s more experienced hikers shared their knowledge about leading group hikes. The club’s guidelines for hike leading were reviewed as well as tips for planning a hike, necessary equipment, and how to handle problems which may occur.

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

Trailblazers explore the site of a former ranch.

Debbie discusses our return route with Jane and Aaron.

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

    Total distance covered was approximately 7 1/2 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!

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updated October 30, 2007