Last time out, I lost Trail #512 as soon as I stepped foot on it. This time I came equipped with more than a hiking guide book: I not only had a topo I mashed up from the HAZ topo view, but also Al_HikesAZ’s GPS route. Funny thing is, I ended up needing neither. (In the case of the topo, good thing because I accidentally left it with my wife.) The trail is very obvious, with a smooth, slightly sandy surface. Narrow, and a bit off camber in spots, but no big deal. Very benign. If you are following Al_HikesAZ’s route, keep in mind that it appears to be following the shoreline for about the first mile, not the trail. Weather was sunny and warm, but with a cool breeze, perhaps blowing off the Mazatzal’s where you could see snow from Bartlett Lake. I was planning on doing an out & back to SB Cove, but as I did not get started until almost 11:30, decided to bail at the halfway point. (Where my wife met me.) Despite Trail #512 looking relatively smooth on the topo, it’s a pretty good blow for a hair under four miles. (If you take the pleasant shortcut through the boulders, otherwise it is about another mile.) FYI: Cell phone reception is very spotty in and around SB Cove. Best bet is to go back up the road for a mile to the info kiosk.
GPS File: Palo_Verde_Trail_512
Distance: 3.80 mi.
AEG: 850 ft.
Time: 1h 23m
