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| | | Red Crk - Wet Btm - Highwater - Verde 11, AZ | | | |
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Red Crk - Wet Btm - Highwater - Verde 11, AZ
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| Hiking | 22.70 Miles |
3,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 22.70 Miles | 10 Hrs 56 Mns | | 2.49 mph |
| 3,000 ft AEG | 1 Hour 50 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Bruce and I have been talking about some sort of Verde #11 hike for about a year. Bruce planned up a sweet looking route and I was very excited to go. After an hour and fourteen minutes sleep it was game on and out the door. The drive is pretty darn long. This was my first time out past Sears Kay. Albeit dark it was cool to cross creeks and see the large trees in the drainages.
The hike started at about 35 degrees. The hike down Red Creek was enjoyable. The constant creek crossings do wear after constant repetition, nevertheless a wonderful riparian area.
Down near the Verde River Bruce went to check out the area while I took a ten minute nap to regain consciousness after virtually no sleep the night before the hike. I brought Tevas for the river crossing. It was cold and swift but only knee deep at worst. A breeze compared to my Aug 2000 crossing about fourteen miles up river at the Hot Springs. That was waist to chest high and jet force dangerous at the time. While this was stinging cold I warmed up quickly after immediately drying off my feet.
The Wet Bottom Trail segment we hiked was awesome with incredible vistas. The Highwater Trail was my least favorite of the day and seemed more drab. I was pretty tired so that probably played into it. Looking at a map I realize we crossed "Pete's Cabin Mesa". Perhaps this has something to with Richard sending Bob and I to find "Pete's Pond" in the past?
The route finding got ridiculous where Highwater is suppose to meet Verde #11. I was starving, tired headachy and just a joy I'm sure. Did our best to find the trail with the loaded track. There are a few cairns but spaced thin and in between looks virtually untraveled for stretches. After finally getting across the Verde again a much needed late lunch was enjoyed. Albeit overcast for the day the forecasted winds never really kicked in and all we experienced thus far were sprinkles. At lunch the sky turned kinna nasty. There were rolling dark clouds and it appeared the Piper was demanding payment.
We lucked out in more ways than one. There was actually a trail so that perked up the spirits. It wasn't great but better than the last couple hours. The kicker was the breaking clouds and an incredible light show dancing through the jaw dropping vistas. Nearing Red Creek again I was running out of energy so I started hitting the GU then later the Hammer. I was back in the saddle and felt zippy for the hike up Red Creek. We ended in head lamps but the weather was storybook so it didn't matter. On the way in I cached a "No Fear" slip over black jacket (2.4mi down on right/south that could only be seen heading back) I've had since high school and somehow failed to locate on the return. So that was sort of a bummer. Otherwise this was one FANTASTIC hike! Credit Bruce for another winner!!! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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