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| Hiking | 9.80 Miles |
710 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.80 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 1.63 mph |
| 710 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Met up with mnlumberjack about 0700. Had my water hiking shoes this week, but forgot my camera. It's always something.  At least I had my Blackberry, even though it takes pictures like vaseline is smeared on the lens. Made introductions, then hit the trail. Cruised the first 2.5 km, mostly on a path, until the path splits left / southeast. Followed First Water Creek right / south. Fitzski's marker is long gone. (Temporary nav aids can be useful, but should not be relied on, as they can easily go away ... mountains not so much.  )
Route-finding and scrambling skills immediately began being put to the test. Even though I got my feet wet a few times, I really did not need the shoes as the creek varied from intermittent to bone dry. (The shoes are mesh to allow water and sand to flow through, and they dry out in just a few minutes, even while being worn.) I was surprised, as I thought the recent snowfall would have provided some runoff. From a scenery standpoint it was disappointing, but from a hiking stand point made it was relief, as it made the scrambling easier: Instead of slipping off the rocks, I rubbed my fingertips raw instead.
After 2.5 km of creek bed negotiation, we began breaking into the open. Per Fritzski' description, rather than following First Water Creek, we followed the contour of Hill 3399. As we approached Hill 3187, there was quite a bit of prickly pear and catclaw. Also, wondered if we should go between the "thumb" and the hill, or go right/east of the "thumb", then bend back. (We did the latter.)
Began on the north side of O'Grady Canyon, switched to the south, as it was less slopy, and their appeared to be bent grass to follow. Crossed back to the north side of the O'Grady creek as we completed the 3/4 turn around Hill 3187. Some cairns along here helped us find easier routes through some small, but steep, washes. About 8 km into the hike, as we drew even with Hill 2992, to our east, we picked up a more defined path. There followed a 100m climb to the Hill 2927 saddle, where there was a great view of Weavers Needle. After that it was a 5 km cruise back to the trailhead and mnlumberjack's much appreciated MGD. 
To borrow from another HAZard's recent encounter, this is not a purse hike. You will need route finding and scrambling skills. (The description says 0 -- it lies. ) |
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