AZ Adventure: Lost on the Rim
Yesterday, Cubby and I drove up to the Mogollon Rim with the intention of following a remote forest road near Chevelon Canyon Lake and hiking a rarely used trail to the shoreline. As we drove 169 toward the lake, we diligently watched for the turnoff for the road I had scouted on Google Maps. After some unsuccessful searching, we decided to visit the lake via the main road and trail. However, at the 169B turnoff, the forest service had posted signs warning of a blue-green algae bloom in the lake. Algae blooms can be toxic for dogs, so I elected to forgo the lake visit.
Still hopeful that we might be able to hike down to Chevelon Creek, we retraced our path on 169, electing to follow a road marked 169K. To use the term road is generous. We moved at about three miles an hour, in four-wheel drive, on a path that wasn't much wider than my Toyota Tacoma. It took us a considerable amount of time to pick our way through rocks, ditches, and mud holes to make our way to the top of a ridge that dropped into a canyon on the opposite side. We found a spot to park on the ridge, and Cubby and I began the descent into the canyon. At the bottom, there was a dry creek bed, that I mistakenly assumed was Chevelon Creek. I would not say we were lost, but we certainly did not know where we were.
Reaching the creek bed, we began to hike downstream (in the general direction of Chevelon Lake) following a game trail. The trail was well worn with significant signs of elk -- scat, hoof prints, and small pines that had been stripped of their bark by antlers. The creek wound through a beautiful pine and fir forest that occasionally opened into small meadows. The rocky walls of the canyon and towering trees added to the dramatic beauty of this mountain landscape.
However, on this hike, it was the little things that won the day. Our path was littered with brilliant wildflowers, tiny mushrooms, piles of pine cones, and a wide variety of plants, moss, and ground cover that had been refreshed by recent rains. To be honest, the beauty of these tiny jewels along the trail was overwhelming. I walked slowly for fear of missing the details. I was mesmerized by the small forest plants that seemed like God's landscaping. A brilliant emerald green plant with leaves forming a rosette, surrounded by small silvery blue plants -- as if someone had picked out complimentary colors in the paint section at Home Depot (featured photo). Even the rocks along this path held surprises. Many contained embedded geodes with tiny crystals that sparkled in the tree filtered sunlight.
After a couple of hours, Cubby and I began the return hike. While the trail itself was relatively level, I was aware that since we were moving downstream, we were also losing some altitude. The return hike was not difficult -- until we reached the point where we had descended from the truck to the creek bed. I didn't think that it had been that steep, but the hike back up proved me a fool. Not unlike the time I tried to ski a black diamond run at Taos because it "didn't look too bad." As Cubby picked a straight line to the top, I switch-backed a ridiculous number of times (gaining just a few feet with each turn) in an effort to keep my heart rate under 180. It was brutal. Move a few yards uphill. Stop and rest. A few more yards. Stop and rest. Cubby would occasionally return to check on me and I was glad that dogs are seemingly incapable of judgement. We eventually made it back to the truck and enjoyed a snack and cold water. A beautiful hike with a little exertion to make it a challenge.
When we returned home, I was able to determine that we indeed had no idea where we were. We had hiked the West Fork of Circle Bar Draw, not Chevelon Creek. I won't bother giving you details of how to get there, other than to tell you it is on the Mogollon Rim between Woods Canyon and Chevelon Canyon Lakes. While I do not recommend the road we used, or bushwhacking down the side of a steep canyon, I do suggest that it is sometimes okay to be a little lost in nature. Any exploration along the Rim should provide a beautiful experience. Just be sure you take time to appreciate the small wonders that surround you.
If you would like to see more photos from this trip, check out my Instagram feed.