Tonto Natural Bridge Jun 09
A large natural bridge with a creek flowing through it near Pinetop
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TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE
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The Park is being operated by volunteers this weekend
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We hike down toward the downstream side of the bridge
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Descending steeply into an ecologically rich shaded pocket
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Pine Creek on the downstream side
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The footbridge leads to the tunnel on the downstream side
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A morning glory
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Under the Natural Bridge
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Though the tunnel looks easily passable, it is highly uneven and slick inside
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Water dripping from the Bridge
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Carol and I decide to pass through the tunnel
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A columbine
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Made it through! Slipping on travertime all the way
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Looking through from the upstream side
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The rest of the party had to climb back up on the downstream side, then come back down on the upstream side to join us
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Shady side caves off the main trail
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Lunch at the top
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Now we hike down the short Little Waterfall trail
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This leads to a Hawaii-like grotto formed by dripping water
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A desert centipede, about 8" long
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The steps back out
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Returning from Tonto, we stop at the Strawberry-Pine Days village festival
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Today, this is where food is served - but there has already been a run on strawberry
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The rug merchant
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Country-western music
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One of the town's good diners
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