# Colonel Devin - Link: https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/ - Published: 2021-02-10T05:30:52-07:00 - Author: My Walkabout **Over the last few weekends** as I’ve rumbled along the Mogollon Rim road, the sign for the [Arizona Trail](https://aztrail.org/) was prominently displayed. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HipstamaticPhoto- 623433851.984603.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **The epic 800 mile trail** that runs from Mexico to the Utah border has been increasingly holding my fascination as of late, leading to a formation of a new goal over the next ten years of trying to complete this trail a section at a time. Today I decide to hike the Colonel Devin section which you can access from the Mogollon Rim road. I head South…. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HipstamaticPhoto- 623438218.439757.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **It’s a steep decline to start,** and as I slowly make my way over scree I see that the trail splits, and to my right I can hike along the rim of this canyon toward the RR tunnel. It gives me a wonderful view of the Autumn colors that are starting to show. As I take in the scenery, I glance down at the Colonel Devin trail and see something on the path. I look closer, straining my eyes because I can’t believe what I’m seeing….. A bobcat? The four legged creature could be a coyote, but the long strands of fur on pointy ears make me think my first guess is correct. Wild Arizona nevers seems to disappoint me, as well as keep me alert. I continue along my trail to see if I can find this RR tunnel. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HipstamaticPhoto- 623435588.084609.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **The trail disappears**, swallowed up by the forest undergrowth, but I can hear people above me. I navigate the mountain and soon find the tunnel entrance with a couple of girls having breakfast at the opening. I ask them how far you can go into the tunnel, and they let me know that it’s blocked off about 30 feet from the entrance. I venture in anyway, and the sudden coolness inside is a welcome reprieve. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_5859-1.jpg? resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **After a spell**, I head down and back over to the main canyon to try and re-connect with [Colonel Devin](https://vimeo.com/505656271). A mile or so later has me back on the main trail, no bobcat in sight. A small stream is gurgling in the Fall sun, birds humming happily in the forest trees. It’s magic here today. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_5872.jpg?resize =640%2C360&ssl=1) **I make it to the Washington Park trailhead**, find a bridge to get some lunch in, and contemplate going further down or whether I should start my return back up the mountain. My little friends let me know that for today the best choice is to head back to the truck. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/F95CC144-8D7F-4BA4- B0EF-D3E5AA5487DF.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **They’ve never** let me down before, and so back up the mountain I go. ### Share this: * [ Email ](https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Colonel%20Devin&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmywalkabout.net%2Fcolonel-devin%2F&share=email) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ WhatsApp ](https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Nextdoor ](https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/?share=nextdoor) * [ Threads ](https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/?share=threads) * [[ * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Reddit ](https://mywalkabout.net/colonel-devin/?share=reddit) ### Like this: Like Loading…