Eight enthusiastic hikers, Tom and Jeannie Van Lew, Alex Johnson, Ted Tenny, Kathy Webster, Loyd Cook, Renee Bryant and Chuck Parsons met at MacDonalds on Power Road early Saturday morning, ready for an adventure into the Pinal Mountains southeast of Phoenix. The trip to Globe was uneventful. Entering Globe, we drove past Rt88 to Roosevelt and took the first right on Hill Street after crossing the bridge over the railroad tracks. From here, we followed the signs for Pinal Mountain Recreation Area and then followed Icehouse Road. After 1 1/2 miles of dirt road, not recommended for a low profile vehicle, we reached a small parking area just before a bridge.

The trailhead is located just beyond the bridge. There is a trail #197 sign about 100 ft. past the bridge, but we didn’t find this out until the return trip. Instead, we took what looked like a trail just past the bridge. It took us uphill along the creek and intersected with the main trail just before a gate. We headed up the mountain at 9:30 and discovered quickly that the elevation change would slow us all down. The trail was narrow and gains altitude quickly and steeply beginning in chaparral and ending up in the aspens at Ferndell Spring.

The trail follows the streambed uphill.

We stopped at an overlook at the first ridgeline for lunch. After enjoying good conversation, along with our lunch, Kathy, Renee and Loyd turned back. Renee needed to be back in town early. Tom, Jeannie, Ted, Alex and Chuck continued on. We figured we only had another mile and a half to go to reach Ferndell Spring, our destination. At this point the trail becomes part of a logging road that descends several hundred feet, leveling off at a flooded mine shaft near the intersection with Trail #192. The owners of the mine did have what appeared to be a fairly new hose leading from the mine entrance to a bathtub located further down the slope on the other side of the trail. We discussed the safety of the water, as the idea of cooling our heads in the water seemed inviting to a few in our group.

After relaxing at the spring we noticed that Alex had developed a rash on his arms and neck and could feel some swelling in his hands but told us he felt OK. We decided it was time to head back. The hike out found us heading toward increasingly darkening clouds. We returned to the cars by 4:00 and were heading home by 4:30. The rain held off until we reached Globe, where we drove through the historic part of town. We were rewarded with interesting shops and architecture in the town, which we could never see from the highway. This hike is rated "B" and due to the elevation change, was slightly strenuous but enjoyable.

Tom and Jeannie Van Lew led eight Motorola hikers on a steep climb through Six-shooter Canyon in the Pinal Mountains south of Globe. The morning was partly cloudy, warm, but still a good day for a hike.

The trail crosses Six-shooter Canyon five times before taking us up to a saddle with a fine view out over the San Carlos Indian Reservation. We continue up the mountain on switchbacks, then stop for lunch in a part of the forest that’s recovering from a fire many years ago. Most of the hikers have brought extra food, so there’s plenty for everyone.

Three hikers turn back. The rest of us continue up to Ferndell Spring on a trail that gets steeper as we climb higher. We pass an abandoned mine full of water, which somebody has tried to drain with a long garden hose that leads to a tank.

Ferndell Spring is nothing but a pipe running into to a small building with a fence around it. But the shade trees are inviting, so I lie down for a few minutes while the others walk around the fenced building.

We all make good time on our way down. The breeze at top was very pleasant, but the day gets hotter as we lose elevation. I’m glad we’re going downhill. We get back to the trailhead just before a storm blows in.