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Anderson Mesa
Day Hike
Flagstaff
June 25, 2005
by Ted Tenny
We started north on the Arizona Trail from Marshall Lake Trailhead.
A dozen breezy hikers enjoyed this Flagstaff adventure —
Michael Humphrey,
Debbie M.,
Laurel Curvin,
Cody Kuenzi,
Frank Kaylor,
Carol Crawford,
Doug East,
Ken Jalen,
Emie Sorongonand,
Kay Lyons,
Joe Michalides,
and hike leader Ted Tenny.
The weather was partly cloudy with a light breeze.
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The trail took us northwest across Anderson Mesa, a broad grassy
upland dotted with widely spaced trees. The open character of the
terrain let us make good time as we stopped near Marshall Mesa
Tank for group pictures. The Arizona Trail through this region is
marked with little signs, but is usually the most prominent trail.
For our lunch stop we found a shaded area with several downed
logs to serve as benches. For a few moments the sky looked like
it might rain, but then the sun came back. Everyone had a
leisurely lunch before making our way to the edge of Anderson Mesa.
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The approach to Walnut Canyon gave us a fine view of Humphreys
Peak. There were colorful rocks along the trail as we turned
north and started our descent into Walnut Canyon. Cliffs on the
north side of the canyon are white, while those on the south side
are variegated, showing taffy-like patterns striped with desert
varnish.
The actual canyon crossing was surprisingly easy – just a
little dip in the trail at this point. Ahead is an important
junction: the Arizona Trail turns north and then east toward
Walnut Canyon National Monument. But we're headed the other way,
so we turned left and hiked upstream toward Sandys Canyon.
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We had met only a few hikers up to this point. But on in to
Sandys Canyon Trailhead there were a number of hiking groups.
The first part of the trail is an easy walk along the
streambed.
Getting out of Sandys Canyon is a respectable climb. Near the
top Ted waited in the shade for everyone to catch up. There
were vines growing among the trees and rocks. Poison ivy.
He didn't stay long.
The trail turns southeast. We walked past a big rockslide of
boulders with lichens and trees growing on them. Tall pines in
the foreground and the San Francisco Peaks in the background
make it a fitting end to a very scenic hike.
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
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Updated June 2, 2007
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