{"id":13759,"date":"2021-02-10T05:30:52","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T12:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=13759"},"modified":"2021-08-21T01:05:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-21T08:05:52","slug":"colonel-devin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=13759","title":{"rendered":"Colonel Devin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over the last few weekends<\/strong> as I’ve rumbled along the Mogollon Rim road, the sign for the Arizona Trail<\/a> was prominently displayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The epic 800 mile trail<\/strong> 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….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a steep decline to start,<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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…..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The trail disappears<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a spell<\/strong>, I head down and back over to the main canyon to try and re-connect with Colonel Devin<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I make it to the Washington Park trailhead<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They’ve never<\/strong> let me down before, and so back up the mountain I go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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