Y Bar Trail #44

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers

We started this trail at a saddle intersection of the AZT. Since we were on a loop trip and started from the Barnhardt Trail #43, we were in search of water. There is a spring listed near the intersection but there was no water, even after rains the week before.

The Y Bar Trail would turn out to be a very troublesome trail because of a lack of water and the very rocky nature of the trail bed. We couldn't find water at any of the marked water locations. The last 4 miles was downhill on a rock trail with large rocks, no switchbacks, and a very difficult base. By the end of the hike my feet were sore. The Y Bar Trail might be scenic, but you couldn't tell since you had to be watching the trail right in front of you due to the rocky nature and not wanting to lose your footing. The one good thing I can say about this trail is, unlike some of the other trails in this wilderness, it is marked very well.

I don't know that I would hike the Y Bar Trail again. The Barnhardt Trail #43, however, was very nice in comparison.

We saw lots of wildflowers including lupin and flowering cactus.