HIKING THE THOMPSON TRAIL #629

A VIEW FROM THE TRAIL

There’s something special about hiking along the banks of a river. The sounds of its water flowing and rushing across boulders qualifies as stress therapy. The Thompson Trail, located off Forest Road 116 behind Big Lake and close to the Thompson Ranch, follows the West Fork of the Black River and is one of my favorite hikes. I have hiked this trail for years, but couldn’t believe the abundance of wildflowers this time. Thanks to the monsoon rains, there were so many varieties that it created a blanket of color along our path. The Trail travels close to the riverbank but rises up and over tree roots and through boggy meadows occasionally. Piles of river rocks make up rock cairns that sit like guardians on the hidden sections of the Trail and provide guidance. There is plenty of wildlife that survive off the riparian wetland. We only saw a blue heron fly past us but there’s a lot of scat and tracks that tell us that coyotes, wolves and maybe a mountain lion are near.

I didn’t see any this trip, but usually there is also an abundance of raspberries.

The trail is about 6.5 miles roundtrip and connects with the West Fork Trail #628. Because of the sensitivity of the wetlands, the riverbank trail is only open to foot travel. Horses and bikes can take the old railroad berm located upslope which follows the river but at a distance. There are rock structures or fish barriers known as “gabions,” that are designed to allow fish to swim downstream but not upstream. This keeps the exotics and non-native trout from the upper reaches of the river — they create some incredible waterfalls and FYI: there is “blue ribbon” fishing to be found along the West Fork of the Black River.

As I hiked downstream, I thought about the symbolism of a river. It always finds its way to its destination whether it flows in a straight line, around corners or over huge boulders. It keeps flowing. What I have discovered is that, in our daily lives, it’s only a struggle when we try to paddle upstream. It’s when we turn our boats around and go with the flow that amazing things happen. Oh, yeah…and you have to let go of the paddles.

To find the Thompson Trail, follow Rt. 260 to Rt. 273 (turn right at the Sunrise billboard) and continue on this road until you get to FR 116. Turn right and stay on FR 116 until you see the kiosk on the right. Park at the kiosk and walk across the street to the beginning of the Trail, which is marked by a sign.

For more information, go to http://www.fs.usda.gov or call the Springerville Ranger District at (928) 333-6200. USGS Maps: 280NW, Big Lake, AZ; 280SW, Big Lake, AZ.

"It starts out so cheerily upon its course; it is so clear and pure, so sparkling with sunshine and spirit. It dashes down mountain valleys, gurgles under boulders, swirls over waterfalls, flashes through ravines and gorges. With its sweep and glide and its silvery laugh it seems to lead a merry life.” — John C.Van Dyke (about rivers)

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