This hike is beautiful and takes less than a mile to complete. It provides great views of the Horseshoe mesa which is one of the tallest features in the state of Arizona. The mesa is located east of Inspiration Point and northeast ofcooks Mesa road, southwest of West Clear Creek and just north of the Biguler map area.
To start this hike, find the paved road just past mile marker 123 on Coronado Road. Turn left and go about 1.8 miles to the trailhead. The trail sets up on a wide, well-maintained dirt road and you can park behind the Coronado Mountain Bike Trail mess hall. There is also a Forest Service crew who maintain the road daily.
The hike to Arrow Lake begins at the south end of Arrow Lake which is a small lake with a few small hills and a couple of small lakes. The trail curves around to the north end of Arrow Lake and begins a descent to Deadhorse Lake. This is a very narrow valley which features some very beautiful geology. Approximately 1.5 miles along the trail, the terrain becomes more challenging and rock steps go through the boulders and corrugations in the terrain. Try to focus on the large14-foot waves that pass through the narrow passage. The tallest rock feature in the area is Shahinian rock which is approximately 62 feet tall.
After passing through the village of Callan, the trail approaches the Coronado Saddle Trail where it offers some great views of Coronado Falls and provides ample elevation change as you descend to Rajaji Falls and then to Elephant Mountain. The trail then approaches Yellow Rock Falls which is also a great place to stop and have a snack or lunch. There are waterfalls along the way as well which the dog can look but not as close to the falls as is the case with some of the taller falls.
After five miles or so and at approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead, the path approaches a wooden bridge thatfeatures distinctive horn-shaped stonework on it. The trail continues to a medium sized forest until it reaches a junction. There are two paths that continue to the top of the mountain and they go straight ahead or turn left and go down the slope a short ways. Whichever path you choose, at approximately Tough Rock Falls either the middle or the end of it, a dignified and majestic looking black bear will approach and camp next to or on top of the falls.
Make sure that you take along a supply of food and water. Successful hikes in the past have been experienced by many different people. Always be prepared for the worst weather conditions and the unexpected. Take along something to keep you warm such as a sweatshirt and a waterproof jacket. You will also need some food to help you on your way out should the worse happen and for your backpacking food supplies are a wise investment.
Surviving bad weather and emergencies should be a priority in all hikers. Keeping extra supplies on hand in your hiking backpack is a wise choice not to be behind the latest hikes and supplies. As the old adage goes, “The more you carry the more you willgettable you will be.”
Finally, as mentioned on previous articles, be prepared for emergencies. Knowing what to expect traveling to and from your hiking destination is a priority. Making sure you have all the required supplies and gear pre-arranged and packed can save your life and the comfort of your journey. Hiking is an enjoyable past time with a lot of health benefits, but it’s a business. The same goes for your backpack and equipment. The more you carry the more you will carry. The key to selecting the right equipment for the hiking trail is prevention. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the details of selecting the right hiking backpack for yourself.
The first detail to be aware of is that you will have a huge selection of hiking backpacks in any sport shop or online. The materials these backpacks are made of are very important to the person looking for the best comfort and also for their hiking trip. If the backpack is a little heavier, you will find that there are some durable and lightweight backpacks to be had for the price. These types of backpacks are also manufactured from rugged materials and in other words, stuff that is going to get a little bit wet and handled frequently. For these reasons, a person would do well to choose a backpack made from a coated nylon fabric.
Your hiking backpack will be among the most important pieces of your camping gear and of your sports equipment and among the last two to three items on your list of things to bring. Before making a purchase, think about how your camping or sports activity will be going to be conducted and make sure that the backpack you choose is going to be able to handle the activity.
