Date: March 24, 2018
Distance: 22.4 miles
This loop hike allowed me to complete Passage #24 solo and without need of a car shuttle. City Creek Trailhead west of Payson up to the southern terminus of Passage #24 and back out to City Creek Trailhead.
*Note that Google Earth profile graphs have less data points and show slightly shorter distances than actual
I decided at the last minute on Friday to spend the weekend tackling AZ Trail #24 (Red Hills) as a loop starting from City Creek TH west of Payson and making my way back to City Creek. I planned to camp at the Verde just below LF Ranch, making Saturday about a 15.5 mile trek. I told myself if I could get to the Verde by 4:00pm, I’d just finish the whole thing in the same day.
I got to the City Creek trailhead right at 6:30am on Saturday with my fastpack overnight kit and headed up the trail. With a brisk 3000′ elevation gain in the first 5.5 miles to get to the junction and start of the Red Hills passage, I was feeling good and taking tons of pictures along the climb. This loop starts at 3,450′ and tops off at 6100′, following a ridgeline with a saddle and second high point before a knee-crushing descent down towards LF Ranch by the East Verde River. A 36 degree start quickly turned into a gorgeous 60 degree day and I shed layers quickly thanks to the climb.
I was watching my timing, seeing if it was possible to stay on pace and finish the loop the same day. I was cutting it close because I couldn’t stop shooting some fantastic landscape shots. I was testing out a new camera so of course I was fidgeting with settings and also getting used to a new polarization filter. After a lunchbreak at Brush Spring (great camp area, btw), I knew I was pushing my 4pm deadline for getting to the Verde so I minimized my photo time and got moving.
Making great time on the downhill section to LF, I got to the Verde at exactly 3:59pm. One minute ahead of plan. So, a quick water fill at the Verde to get me through the last ~6 miles and I was back on the trail. Those last few miles, while racing the sunset, were punishing on the knees. Typical PODs beat up my joints and I could feel my right IT band screaming at me. I got to my truck right as the sun was setting and headed into Payson for a 5 Guys celebration meal. Another AZT passage in the books.
Besides the always-flowing Verde River, the only other trailside water I encountered was right at the 1 mile mark past the start of the Red Hills passage southern terminus. A beautiful Ponderosa-filled drainage with cool and clear pools of standing water over about a 1/4 mile area.
22.4 miles with 5597′ of elevation gain is by far my new PR for a single-day hike. Not bad for an old fat guy.