Arizona - last hike, Sugarloaf.

 

On our last day we headed to Sedona, checked Cathedral Rock trailhead (closed, have to use the shuttle service), we checked another trailhead (same message and there was no parking at the shuttle pick up). We finally found a small trailhead, Sugarloaf, with a parking spot. The month we have been here has seen a constant increase in the amount of people at the trails. We did the Sugarloaf loop and the additional .6 mile trail (there and back) to the next loop. Total of 1.5 miles, 2.5km.

This was an area we hadn't hiked before.

So some different views.

I believe this is, appropriately, called "Chimney Rock".

It wasn't as easy as our previous hike (Picture Canyon), with some elevation and rocky areas

but was mostly pretty easy going.

Lots of families with young children on the trail. That's how you know its an easy one.

I have had very little luck taking pictures of the birds here so I could not believe it when this one perched and posed for me

California Scrub Jay. (or maybe a Mexican Jay, they are very similar)

We had only done a short hike because we wanted to get back to Clarkdale

to see the Eagle at the station. Periodically, Liberty Wildlife brings an Eagle to the station as part of their educational outreach.

We had hoped to see a Golden Eagle but it was an immature Bald Eagle.

At 4 years old still had mottled feathers. Will get the white head and tail at 5 years old.

The handler gave us lots of opportunities to ask questions.

 Then it was back to the apartment to start packing. We finished off what food we could and gave what was left to our next door neighbour at the apartment. We have enjoyed her, and her dog, Donatello.

Arizona - Picture Canyon

When we were at Black Walnut Canyon, the ranger told us about Picture Canyon, as a good place to see birds, and we decided to check it out. It is just outside of Flagstaff and is free. Just a parking area and a porta potty.

Rick took a photo of the trail sign. The outside loop was 2.8 miles but we decided we would walk as far as the Petroglyphs and then decide if we had the energy to do the whole loop.

 

There were a few different ducks in the pond beside the water treatment plant. I think this is an American Wigeon.

There were also Redheads, Mallards and America Coots

 

The beginning of the trail followed a creek and water course and there were lots of birds around. We saw a Marsh Wren, Stellar Jays and some variety of Kingbird but it was flitting about too much to get a good picture, therefor ID.

Further along the creek went through a deep cleft, where, according to the info board, there had been a trestle bridge to expedite a logging operation in the past.

We took their word for it, there was no evidence.

The rest of the trail was mostly through pine forests and occasional meadows of dry grasses and plants that had flowered last year, with the dried flowers still in evidence.

We had, luckily, gone back for our jackets before we left, because there was a cold wind. I borrowed Rick's gloves and he regretted the shorts decision.

About a third of the way around the loop we came to the Petroglyphs. Good signage that explained where to look for them on the rocks and what some of the symbols may have meant.

They were on a jumbled pile of rocks,

with no protection from the elements

or from curious (or destructive) hikers.

There was no graffiti or other demonstrations of disrespect.

We were able to just view them

as they had been found,

in situ.

Picture Canyon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 10, 2008.  The 478-acre preserve was purchased October 30, 2012 at a public auction on the steps of Coconino County Courthouse from the State Land Department by the City of Flagstaff for $4.8 million after several community groups rehabilitated the area and rallied decades for its protection.  An agreement was made with the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant, located immediately south of the preserve, to provide a constant water source for the riparian habitat and wildlife.  Reclaimed water is discharged into a pond which feeds the Rio de Flag through a rugged geological canyon composed of basalt rock.  Thousands of years ago, between 700 and 1300 AD, this area was home to the natives known as the Northern Sinagua (people without water). Picture Canyon is named for the large density of petroglyphs created by the Sinagua located along the river.  Hundreds of panels were created depicting archers, geometric shapes, and local animals like birds and turtles. from Wikipedia.

We sat down a little further along, had some trail mix and decided to continue the loop.

Although I kept my eye out

 

the only wildlife we saw was a "Squabbit", Albert's Squirrel and with all the pine cones, dropping due to the wind, he would have lots to eat.

 

Photo from National Parks Service.

It was the longest hike we had done since Rick got sick, nearly 2 weeks ago, and we could feel it in our legs and could also feel the elevation (around 7000ft). 5km (I rounded it up)

Arizona - Verde Canyon Railroad

 Last week when we looked into getting tickets for the train out of Clarkdale, it was sold out. According to the website the train can hold 400 people so we were rather surprised but maybe they don't have all the cars on. Anyway we booked online and today, after laundry and a quick lunch, we went down at about noon and picked up our tickets. The place was already hopping with people checking out the gift shop, the museum and eating and drinking at the bar and snack bar.

The train had been moved back in the station

 

so that the engine

could be photographed.

We watched as food was loaded on

and windows were washed. This was our coach. The tickets indicated the coach (they all have city names and we were in Phoenix) and the seat number.

I forgot to take a photo of the inside but the coaches are all from the 1940s, Pullman coaches and they  decorated authentic to the time, inside. Each one has a bar, tables at the seats (we had a couch) and access to an outside carriage.

We were not to take our own food or alcoholic beverages, but we were provided with a "snack" (enough for a meal as far as we were concerned), water and a small bottle of champagne for the initial toast (that occurred after the safety speech)

As soon as the train started moving Rick and I went to the outside carriage and stayed there for the whole 3 and a half hour trip. Initially there weren't many people outside but the numbers gradually grew.

Inside there is recorded commentary (and air conditioning) but outside there was a staff person to identify land marks and answer questions. He kept up a running commentary with obvious enthusiasm for his job. First point of interest - the slag pile from the smelter.

It towered on both sides of the train, little glimpses of copper and other minerals, they would like to extract more from it but are concerned about disturbing it as it sits right next to the river.

From there we followed the river

Past the cave dwelling that Rick and I had seen from the road by the river.

There was some evidence of other dwellings as well.

Past the old coal fired electric plant (no longer in use)

Past "Santas Village" that the train delivers people too in the Christmas season.

Our commentator described this as "Old Clarkdale" the ranches that supplied the mining community.

Over a wooden trestle bridge

and a more modern metal one.

The train snaked

back and forth, skirting hills and cliffs

and following the river that now cut through a deep cleft

with Basalt cliffs

on one side.

There were a couple of homes, grandfathered once the area became protected and can now only be passed down within the family.

Looking back at the caboose, which can be booked for a party of up to 8.

We could see we were headed into some more interesting topography.

There, we were surrounded by steep red cliffs

Some really close. We went through a tunnel but I was unable to get a photo.

If there wasn't anything of historical interest (like the telegraph poles he pointed out) our commentator entertained us

by identifying rock formations he had named.

A Golden Eagle nest in a cave. We saw at least 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle (a first for me), Red Tailed Hawks and a Black Hawk. Also a couple of families of deer (Mule Deer I think), each with antlered bucks.

We came out of the canyon and stopped at what had once been a station, Perkinsville.

While the engine was disengaging from the front and coming along side to reconnect at the back (now the front), our commentator told us about the history of the Perkins ranch and how the railroad was built - to take Clark's copper to market, and Perkin's cattle to market.

Once all reconnected we were moved back and could get a better look at the old station. How the West was Won was filmed here and Debbie Reynolds stepped off the platform here. Rick remembered the movie, I don't think I have ever seen it.

We returned along the same route and I put my camera down and just enjoyed the scenery and the weather. In count down to leaving now and I need to soak up as much of this warmth and sun as possible as it is cold, damp and snowy at home.

This was a way better experience than either Rick or I anticipated. It was very well organized. Inside the Pullman coaches were comfortable and air conditioned. Outside it was a rougher ride, wooden benches but we stood most of the time, covered so there was some shade, but you felt much closer to the scenery and able to see the wildlife. The commentator was excellent and the "snacks" were yummy.

Rosette Nebula. First batch of photos, planning on taking more and stacking them. Photo by Rick.