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| Hiking | 7.14 Miles |
1,554 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.14 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.02 mph |
| 1,554 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Aztec Peak - August 2010
Mike Mattes
Clark Norgaard
Jeff Cherry
Matt ??? (family friend of Clark's)
I needed an excuse to make our annual pilgrimage up to Aztec Peak to visit Ranger Red in the Sierra Ancha Mountains. With Florida native Jeff Cherry about to complete his business development work assignment, I discovered he hadn't a chance to visit any of the Arizona high country. Arizona to him is all Sonoran Desert and 100 degree plus summer temperatures. A trip along the "Desert to Tall Pines" Highway (see => http://www.arizonascenicroads.com/conte ... ticleId=77 ) should correct that impression...
With a 7am designated rendezvous time at the Ahwatukee Einstein's location, we grabbed our morning coffee and toasted bagel and hit the road. I'm introduced to Matt (sorry Matt, didn't catch your last name), a family friend of Clark Norgaard's and frequent outdoorsman. He's never been to the Sierra Anchas and welcomed an opportunity to discover some choice scenery.
When we turn the vehicles onto Highway 288 (aka the "Desert to Tall Pines Highway") and peer towards the Sierra Ancha Mountains, we can see cloud cover consuming the entire range. Continuing up the switchbacks and near the Parker Creek crossing, we're treated to an ephemeral view of "Anchas in the Mist". Comments that we're nearing Machu Picchu seem appropriate...
When we turn the vehicles onto FR487, I have to turn the wipers onto intermittent. No rain per se, just a light mist. Continuing up the Forest Road we notice that all the choice camp sites are empty noting only one pop-up camper in one of the Day Use areas. We wind our way past Workman Creek Falls and park the Fords just beyond the gauging station. Checking out the Falls, Jeff spots a family of deer just beyond the plunge pool. They move into the trees before any images are captured.
We trek into the forest and up to a secret alcove containing an ancient cliff dwelling. This is a first for Jeff and Matt and we spend some time exploring the architecture and trash midden looking for pottery sherds. PageRob would be impressed with the deft skill exhibited by the group finding many samples...
Exploration of Abbey's Way soon follows along with a trek up to the Lookout Tower to visit Red and Roper. Time to breakout the propane BBQ and choice beverages by the Flintstone furniture. Great views, good discussion with Red, and remarkably the clouds break around Aztec Peak with all the rains tracking to the west and east of us!
PS. With each of us bringing choice brews for sharing, a discussion about the world's most expensive beer naturally followed (see => http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376048/ns ... ?GT1=43001 and the HAZ Forum thread => viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5377&p=58222&hilit=beer#p58167 ).
PPS. For the HAZ fishing enthusiasts, I had to post the 140 pound limit catch of walleye we recently caught on a surprise trip to Canada on my Dad's 75th birthday. And yes, that's a 12 pounder my brother is holding... |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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