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| Monte Vista Lookout Traverse, AZ | |
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| | Monte Vista Lookout Traverse, AZ | | | |
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Monte Vista Lookout Traverse, AZ
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| Hiking | 11.50 Miles |
4,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.50 Miles | | | |
| 4,000 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | I think Randy did a fairly good job at explaining the hike (http://hikearizona.com/TL.php?ID=52255), so I'll just give my side of the story.
The little hike that we did on Saturday near the campground up to Mormon Spring and down the canyon was very picturesque. You see, I had just bought a new camera and this was its maiden voyage. So man oh man was I bummed when I fell in the water with it. I was so worried about the camera  that I hightailed it out of there directly back to the campsite where I could see if I could dry it out. I was so happy that a couple hours later when I tried to turn it on, it actually worked. 
The campout at Sycamore campground was wonderful - we (Randy, Birgit, and me) had the campground to ourselves, which was good since we were loud.
As for the hike the next day... Randy mentioned that the first part of this hike took a bit longer than anticipated, and that's an understatement. The first three miles took about four hours, during which time I was ready to head back to camp at several spots during the way. You see, I had food poisoning  - it took me a little longer to go up this steepest part of the hike. I wasn't sure that I could finish.
Randy assured me that the first three miles were the most difficult, and I was sure that I could work it out before I got to the lookout, so we pressed on. After about another half-mile or so, I did feel better, and we were able to pick up the pace, although the downfall action on that trail slowed us down. I'm so glad that I felt better, because what came next was spectacular! We had a late lunch in the shade of Paint Rock, which was an absolute joy to scramble up - and no one had signed that log book in nearly a year.
Then it was on to the lookout. Finally. I had tried to get up here last year without success, so this was the time. And this time, my two hiking partners didn't want to actually go up the tower! This meant that I could ask more questions - How long have you been here this season (later than usual in May), what was the highest wind you recorded the day before (50 mph), how old are your dogs (11), any other visitors today (no), and countless other questions so that she was probably ready to get rid of me.
The trip down the peak was fast and uneventful.  The beer was good back at the cars. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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| There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination... |
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