Starting at the top, the trail zig-zags down into a valley, then runs down, down, down on forest roads and trails. There's a sinking feeling realizing you're going to have to climb back up by the same amount later.
I could hear the rushing water below long before getting to the creek, then you're in the narrow canyon with water rushing over rocks, and a bridge takes you across.
Then some crazy steep log steps take you up the canyon wall and onto the ridge above.
The ridge lasts at least a couple of miles, heading upward, as you regain elevation.
Then in the final two miles you drop all the way down into the canyon again.
On the way back I took Gross Reservoir Road over to 72, rather than brave the Joey-in-a-rice-rocket-tailgate-fest (or the Joe-Jim-Bob-in-a-pick-me-up-tailgate-fest as the case may be) down Flagstaff, and stopped for the picture below. Two high school girls were there smoking Swisher Sweets and giggling, so I didn't linger (cough, cough) and left them to their forbidden enjoyment.
Distance was 7.77 miles, time 1:50 (moving 1:30), elevation gain/loss 1,608 feet, avg. pace 14:12 (moving 11:41), and best pace 7:14.
The elevation change is not that much different from my stock White Ranch 8-miler, and the elevation is very slightly lower. However, since the drop is pretty steady, and you end up in a canyon with a rushing river, it seems more intense. Nice loop.
