Hike #31 - Salome Creek "The Jug" - Salome Wilderness, AZ

The "Jug" is a popular technical canyon North of Roosevelt Lake in the Salome Wilderness.  This was our second trip down the canyon and the water levels were on the lower side in June 2015.  We did not need a wet suit and the cool water was quite refreshing.  The single rappel requires a 100' rope.  There is a significant amount of boulder hopping and water slides along the 3 mile route.  The hike into the canyon is approx. 2 miles. We were able to help a family of (4) that had come from Flagstaff get safely down the last waterfall/rappel.  They had brought rope but not harnesses.  For more information and directions see:  http://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Salome3.htm

Hike #30 - Christopher Creek Gorge, Tonto National Forest, AZ

Christopher Creek Gorge is one of Paul's and my favorite canyoneering trips. It is easy to get to with a short entrance to the canyon and full of exciting water slides and rappelling. Wet suits are a must.  This was our second time experiencing this beautiful place and my son Mitchell came along. Unfortunately at the first water slide, I let go of our rope bag and it sunk!  After many attempts to find it in the 10'+ deep water to no avail we headed back up canyon.  Thankfully some other canyoneers were starting down and invited us to join them.  We had an awesome day and made some new friends. Mitchell loved it and was able to try out his new Go-Pro camera.  He has some great video of me sending our rope bag down the water slide, followed by myself and then the rope bag is no where to be found!  We learned a valuable lesson that day and have since purchased a better rope bag that floats but we will never trust it to float again.  For more information and directions see: http://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Tonto3.htm

Hike #29 - Widforss Trail - Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

The Widforss Trail is named after Gunnar Widforss, an early twentieth-century artist that lived and painted at the Grand Canyon in the 1930's.  The trail is known for having an abundance of wildlife including deer, bobcat, mountain lions, wild turkey, coyote, porcupine, snakes and lizards.  We came upon a territorial grouse that loved to entertain the hikers walking by.  The trail follows the rim for the first 2 1/2 miles which is the distance we hiked before turning back since it was already late afternoon.  From there the trail heads another 2 1/2 miles into the forest to emerge at Widforss Point.  Brochures are provided at the trail head numbered guide to some of the scenic views, interesting facts and trees.  At stop #10, is the largest ponderosa pine tree on the trail with a circumference of 13'!

Hike #28 - Cliff Springs Trail - Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

This short easy 1/2 mile trail through the forest leads to a scenic area where water drips down the rock forming a small pool below.  We continued on the path another 1/2 mile taking in more fantastic views of the canyon and Wotans Throne.  A great adventure for a cloudy day at the end of May 2015.

Hike #27 - North Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park

On Memorial Day weekend 2015, Paul Pastore and I spent the weekend at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  Even though it was the end of May, the weather was cooler and the forecast partly cloudy with a 20% chance of "precipitation".  We knew there was a chance the precipitation could be snow so we dressed in layers and made sure to have rain gear.  Our goal was to reach Roaring Springs which was 4.7 miles one way, approx. 3,000' in elevation.  The trail has the best of everything, dense pine forest, beautiful red wall limestone, stunning views of the Grand Canyon, a picturesque bridge and waterfalls.  After reaching Roaring Springs, it started to rain which turned into hail and snow as we got closer to the rim.  As we drove back to our hotel, it was hard to see the road with all the snow coming down. We never expected to see that kind of snow but it made for a very memorable weekend!