Today we intend to explore a rarely visited trail, the Mail Trail. It has two trailheads both from the same road but while the first one is car accessible the second one is accessible only by high clearance 4WD so we stop at the first trailhead just off the 260 highway.
The trail is mostly well marked by metal cairn markers and it is important to always be on the lookout for the next one as the trail is mostly non existent and easy to lose.
In fact many times it feels like we are going crosscountry following the haphazard trail markers. Sometimes however the trail is following animal trails and roads but only for a short time and then it veers off again crosscountry.
The landscape is dotted by trees and we see quite a few birds, especially jays, flitting between the trees in front of us.
After about 3 miles we decide to turn around and hike crosscountry back to our car (not a real change from the trail). Almost immediately we find a few cows and then we notice that we somehow are in the middle of a large herd that is dispersed underneath the trees and is watching us intently.
After reaching the car, on our return trip to Phoenix, we stop a few times to take in the changing landscapes along the 260 highway. There are quite a few great views of the countryside from the side of the road and some caches to be found before we continue on.
As it gets darker we enjoy the moonrise – the moon is full and shining brightly above the surrounding hills. It is quite special and a fitting end of a nice day at higher altitudes.
