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Coffee Flat-Bluff
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A major improvement effort is under way on the Bluff Spring Trail. They've put
in logs to catch the drainage, re-routed the trail at the top of the first hill
so that it connects with the Don's Trail more easily, and put up new wooden
signs at the trail junctions.
From the east side of Peralta Canyon we enjoyed looking down at the Peralta Trail hikers far below, and sideways at Geronimo Cave and Miner's Needle. Soon we were crossing upper Barks Canyon, pleasantly shaded where the trail goes over some slickrock. Ted pointed out Weaver's Needle, the Emperor's Dog (who looks more like a baboon from the Bluff Spring Trail), balanced rocks, window rocks, hoodoos, and the site of Williams Camp. Somebody had planted a flag on the top of Weaver's Needle. |
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We soon joined the Dutchman's Trail and turned southeast over a low hill.
Here the party divided, with Chuck, Peggy and Cliff continuing on the
Dutchman's Trail to Miner's Summit while Anatoli and Stephen went off trail
with Ted to bushwhack their way up to the Coffee Flat-Bluff Spring ridge.
A little cloud hovered over the ridge we were climbing. We could see the cloud
even when we couldn't see the ridgeline, so it was easy finding our way up
(Exodus 13:21-22).
The view from the top is outstanding! Music Mountain, Bluff Spring Mountain, and Coffee Flat Mountain form a triangle with the ridge inside. There are unique views of Miner's Needle and Picacho Butte, and Weaver's Needle juxtaposed with the whole Superstition Ridgeline. The three bushwhacked their way down to the Whiskey Spring Trail and soon joined the others at Miner's Summit. |
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From there it was mostly downhill until we got to the last rise before
returning to Peralta Trailhead. The day had turned hazy and distinctly warm.
We enjoyed the desert walk and the abundant stands of chain fruit cholla and
Teddy Bear cholla (from a safe distance).
There were dozens of hikers on the Dutchman's Trail, almost all of them going the other way. But spring flowers were very scarce with the dry winter we've had. |
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| Home | Club Info | Officers | Meeting Minutes | Activities | Trip Reports | | Hike Descriptions | Trip Planning Guide | Lessons Learned | Links | Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona For comments regarding this site contact . updated December 8, 2005 |