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Flagstaff Forest Solo 8-29-09
#1
Just decided at the last minute to head north Friday night. Went up around where we've been camping above Sedona. Got there around 11, set up camp, cooked some hot chocolate and set up the chair and camera for the stars.
Stayed up til 1 shooting, sipping, reading, and watching shooting stars. Slept well and woke up before the alarm at 5:15 to catch the sunrise. Meandered around in the woods where I camped and found old cabin remains. The cows were set to pasture but they didn't care at all when the coyotes came out sometimes walking along side them. Drove out at 8 and just saw where the forest roads would take me. At one point I ended up at a go no further gate citing a wildlife quiet area. As I jokingly grumbled out loud about not seeing any animals around, 8 deer walked out and past me. They didn't give me much time to camerize them but I tried anyway. Mostly mommas and babys but one was growing some antlers. Turned around and took some other roads. Saw about 8 turkeys, a plethera of squirrels and birds, couple groundhogs, chipmunks, etc. Also found an endangered salamander that according to Reptilesofaz it illegal to even harass. I mean to write him a letter apologizing for the innapropriate touching.
Ended up near the military area so I headed over to the backside of Rogers "Lake." I followed it around until hitting gravel and headed back towards the interstate. I stopped to eat a snack at the Aboretum (where democrats go to see "experience"). I thought about cranking up the compressor to air up around all the agenda stickered Subarus and Prius's but did it further down the road. Got back in to town and went to Baby K's later that eve :cool)

30 sec


15 minutes


My only trip goal: waking up to this




My sunrise watching partner


Old corral in the background


Will you hurry up?
















Old rail way of some kind. We found the same thing when exploring the other side of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. I have to assume they connect. One thing is sure, it predates the trees growing along it.


Rogers Lake (yes it's a different tree)


Pretty clouds


#2
wow, absolutely beautiful pictures. Sounds like a very peaceful relaxing time.. Where abouts do you go camping up north? I've only ever camped around payson, rim area.. never near flagstaff.
#3
Skatchkins wrote:Got back in to town and went to Baby K's later that eve :cool)


I'm such a sucker for a story with a happy ending.

GREAT shots, Mike. The start w/tree, the tree with corral in the background are two of my favorites. Katelyn likes the chipmonk. Glad you had such a great Friday night/weekend.

I'm jealous, but happy. :clap:
#4
Avis wrote:Where abouts do you go camping up north? I've only ever camped around payson, rim area.. never near flagstaff.


I like the forest West of Kachina Village and the 89A. It's where we've camped with the Jeeps on our last Sedona trip: http://www.higherground4x4.com/trips/sedona-08

Plenty of places to camp with no neigbors. In fact besides a handful of campers around Fry Park and the 231, I never saw another person on the roads.

Thanks
#5
I wanna go... haha
#6
Nice pictures and travel report

Do you remember the names of the trails you were on in Flagstaff? I love riding in that area, but those photos dont look like any place Ive been, especially the tree with the eyes.

Thanks

--Jim