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| Canyoneering | 6.10 Miles |
700 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 6.10 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 1.53 mph |
| 700 ft AEG | 2 Hrs Break | | | |
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| | Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use | | A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit | | III - Normally requires most of a day |
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| no partners | | This started out as another hike up into Hog Canyon, but as I approached the entrance to the Wilderness, I changed my mind and decided to explore the unnamed canyon immediately West of Hog. For some time now I have been intrigued by this canyon that looks interesting when checking it out on TOPO and yet it has no name and I can't find hikes referencing it. So I made a slight course change and angled towards it's entrance.
The dry wash exiting the canyon is identical to it's cousin to the East, with scattered boulders, rock fields and lots of brush to weave your way around and through. The wash itself is a constant scramble while dodging the Catsclaw, and above the wash is heavy brush and cacti. I found out on my return that the best route is well away from the wash, walking among the Saguaro, a bit further, but ultimately quicker.
Once in the canyon, things deteriorate in a hurry. At one point, I climbed the side wall to gain enough altitude to see if there might be a preferred path, but none exist and the sidewalls are treacherous going. So I stuck to the main path of the wash with it's boulder dams and catsclaw barriers.
I don't think I have seen so much catsclaw on a hike before. Busting my way through the stuff left me with bloodied arms and legs and torn shirt and pants. I don't know how this stuff can be so healthy in such a drought year.
There was no water to be found anywhere, even pools had dried leaving not even moist sand. The animals must be fighting for their very existence, and the Saguaro appear to be loosing the battle as well. Only the catsclaw thrives.
I thought I might find some wildlife in this little traveled canyon, but I didn't see anything but a few small birds. Any animals would have heard me coming long before I would have had an opportunity to see them. The canyon walls do not have any waterfall areas and there is no signs of ruins or petroglyph sites.
I finally ran into a seemingly impenetrable wall of catsclaw and brush so I figured that I should begin my return before I suffered any more loss of blood. I'm glad I finally got that canyon out of my system and I now know why that canyon has no name. |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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