MRT Day 27: Baldy & West Fork Black River

Daily Miles: 22.0, Total Miles: 382.5

I must say the prime rib from Molly Bulter Lodge went down well. The blueberry pie and ice cream was also a special treat. Worked some of it off on the walk back to the motel.

A good day of hiking today, some in burn areas but mostly with forest cover. Got into some of the scenic high country of the Baldy Wilderness on the West Fork and East Fork of the Little Colorado River.

Followed that with a cool walk down the West Fork Black River on the Thompson Trail. I do wish I had my fly rod. I had hiked in both of these areas before and had no problem revisiting these beautiful valleys and small streams.

I climbed out of the West Fork drainage and through some scarred areas before finding a nice spot on a tributary of Home Creek south of Big Lake.

I have to admit I was fooled today. This morning I rounded a corner and spotted three turkeys under a tree and quickly snapped a pic. I then noticed they weren’t moving, or gobbling, even with my own gobble greeting. I soon realized they were decoys.

I saw more elk, mule deer and a real live turkey today.