Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona (April 17, 2021) A few days back, the forecast for this day was cooler but dry in the morning and warmer with a 30% chance of rain in the afternoon. The weatherman got it right and so did I – I hiked this morning with an added layer for warmth!
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There were dozens of hiking trails near my home in Show Low. The best trails, IMHO, were those in the White Mountains Trail System – more than 200 miles of non-motorized trails in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. With a handful of hikes under my belt, I can attest that these trails, which vary in length and difficulty, were well-planned, well-built, and well-maintained.
This morning I hiked the Osprey Connector trail, a secondary track that bridged two trails I have trekked - Timber Mesa and Ice Cave. The one-way distance from the trailhead to the Ice Cave trail was one and three-quarter miles. When I reached the Ice Cave trail, I followed it a little more than a quarter mile to the Scott Reservoir. My out and back hike totaled 4.2 miles. |
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The Osprey, named for pair of these birds that nested near the water when the trail was cut (not sure if they still do), was largely flat with only a few rocky places along the way. So, I was not surprised that this trail was rated “easy.” And with hindsight I can tell you that it was, which made my morning outing more like the proverbial “walk in the woods” rather than an arduous hike. No matter, though, as it was great to be outdoors!
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From the trailhead on Porter Mountain Road, I followed a dirt path that meandered for a quarter mile to Porter Creek. This creek flowed from Jack Porter Springs – a series of rock tanks to the east built by Jack Porter in 1887 – south to Scott Reservoir. I paused to enjoy the gurgling sound of the water as it gently fell over a stone ledge and then cascaded along the rocks in the creek bed. It was peaceful and relaxing!
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The sign next to the creek said, “Do Not Enter When Flooded.” Not a problem today, though, as I easily navigated the stepping-stone bridge to cross to the other side.
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From this point forward, the Osprey twisted and turned through the forest. The forest was not thick with trees, mind you, but there were enough to provide some shade from the sun.
I loved the diversity of trees in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest – mostly juniper and ponderosa pine, but also oak, spruce, aspen, mesquite, and manzanita. Of all the trees in the forest, I favored the alligator juniper, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, whose distinctive bark, which was rough and checker-plated, resembled the skin of an alligator! |
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The Ice Cave trail brought me to the southwest shore of Scott Reservoir, an irrigation impoundment built in 1928. The reservoir has 80 surface acres of water and an average depth of 10 feet, which was deep enough for small boats. My neighbor, an avid fisherman, told me that Scott Reservoir was stocked with rainbow trout, large mouth bass, and channel catfish.
From afar, the shoreline looked like a beach – but standing on it, I realized it was not. Instead of sand, the shoreline was fine dirt littered with rocks and debris. I suspected that some or all of this dirt was covered by water from time to time – perhaps when a “wet winter” provided significant snow melt through Porter Creek.
As I looked across the reservoir, I easily recognized Porter Mountain (elev. 7,582 feet), which was blanketed with acres of pine forest and topped by tall radio towers (I counted at least eight). I read that Porter Mountain offered commanding views of Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low and a glimpse of the much taller Mount Baldy (elev. 11,403 feet) to the southwest – something I will soon experience first-hand.
As I wandered back along the Osprey, I observed many large pines felled by Mother Nature – trees that were uprooted through gradual erosion of the soil or perhaps a microburst during a storm. These once-majestic trees, stripped of their foliage, looked like a giant walking stick insect – a long, thin body with six legs and long antennae. Strange how my mind worked!
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A couple of days back, I posted my upcoming hike on a community chat board and invited others to join me. Not only were there were no takers, but no one else hiked the Osprey this morning – at least not while I was on it. I was not alone, though. In addition to my shadow, the trees were filled with scores of birds who warbled beautiful songs and chirped important messages. It was a treat to hear these sounds!
The Osprey was a great trail to hike, and since I am not a “one and done” hiker on trails I have enjoyed, I will return to it later this year. In the near term, though, I will tackle trails I have not yet hiked. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you. |
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