There are light, wispy clouds as we start up Whitford Canyon on the Arizona Trail. Actually the streambed is our trail for the first 1 1/2 miles. It is sometimes rocky and sometimes sandy, with shade trees and intermittent water flowing. The road, FR 650, dips down into the streambed in several places, but we stay on the rocks until we leave the road behind and enter Reavis Trail Canyon.

The trail climbs high above a steep part of the canyon on the west side, then dips down and crosses the canyon many times in the next two miles. Water flows much of the way. In two places it forms a cute little waterfall that looks like a decoration in somebody’s back yard. There are lizards and ants on the ground. Some of the trees and shrubs are green, while others have yet to show any sign of life.

Finally the trail leaves the canyon on the west side as we hike up to a marvelously flat rock, big enough to build a house on, but with steps that are just about perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch. A breeze refreshes us.

From here the trail continues north on switchbacks to the top of Montana Mountain (5557') and beyond, but that’s another hike for next season. So we start down, hiking on the road when we get back to Whitford Canyon to make better time. Along the road we visit an abandoned stone corral and other discontents of civilization, but everyone is in good spirits as we reach the trailhead.

9 hikers enjoyed this springtime outing: David Self, Dave and Yu-Ling Langford, Tom and Jeannie Van Lew, Julia Staley, Alicia Staley, Beatrix Tenny, and hike leader Ted Tenny.