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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
1,500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | | | |
| 1,500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I wanted to check out this area after passing by a few times while driving on the I-10, along with the Eagletails, Harquahala, and Big Horn Mnts. I'll have to get those next time.
Tried to get an early start (5:45) since the forecast called for a high of 111! Parked my truck at 33.428855,-113.02641. I didn't have a map with me and wasn't really sure where to start out so I just started heading up a drainage on the southern end of the second set of peaks. I ended up following a herd of about 7 or 8 big horn sheep half way up the drainage. I think they were heading down until they saw me as they would just move up a little at a time and then turn around and check on my progress as I headed up. I was probably keeping them from going down the drainage in search of water (there wasn't any at the bottom, just dry pools). It makes me realize how much we disturb the local wildlife even when visiting for just a short time... I then went around the west side and then, with of lot of scrambing on loose rock, up to the second set of peaks (or southern peak). Came across a green-ish rattler with a really big head just below the southern peaks. I guess he was soaking up some shade just before a nice hot afternoon. Since the sun was still low, most of the hike occurred in the shade but it was still getting warm. As desert-boonie mentioned, the "trail" between the sub-peaks of the southern end is extremely narrow and drops off on both sides. I was too scared to pull out my camera to get any pics.
I then went back down to the west side, then north and then up towards the main summit where I had to do some 4th class climbing/scrambling. Again, lots of loose rock around here. Used my hands as much as my feet today. Once at the top, I enjoyed views of the surrounding area, lots of farms to the west, Palo Verde NGS to the east along with 3 other power plants south of PVNGS that I didn't know existed. I was still unsure of the official route so I just went back down the same way. Made it back to my truck by 10am and the temp on my Coughlan Dangler read 102.
Most of the hiking/scrambling was all loose rock and littered with cholla cactus. Many times I had to stop to pull cholla out of my sneakers, one nasty one on the back of my leg and another on my hand. Even after I got home and showered, my legs were still stinging from all the scratches from brush, cholla, etc. This hike beat me up pretty good but was still worth it. Next time: long pants! |
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Route Editor
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