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| Canyoneering | 16.00 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 16.00 Miles | 8 Hrs | | 2.00 mph |
| 200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit | | III - Normally requires most of a day |
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| no partners | | Aravaipa from the East trailhead on Thanksgiving Day = Natural beauty and solitude. This was definitely one of the most photogenic hikes I've done. Aravaipa from the West last April was pretty good, but this was way better.
My hiking buddy and I left East Mesa at 3:30am. We arrived at the trailhead a few minutes before 7:00am. Our goal was to be there before sunrise, and we made it...just barely. The temperature checked in at a frigid 32 degrees which didn't make the idea of fording our way into the creek sound all that appealing. The first few steps into the water were shocking, but once the numbness set in....just kidding...it really didn't feel that bad once we got used to it.
The day started out mostly overcast with a few rain drops here and there. The day just got better and better from there. We made our way down stream up to the poorly named "Hellhole Canyon." This place is more like a garden of eden or something out of Heaven. Solitude lies between these towering walls. You will find lush vegetation, gushing springs, hanging gardens, and wildlife. We spent most of our day in this side canyon.
We stopped for a snack deep inside the side canyon near an amazing hanging garden that was raining down fresh spring water from 15 feet above our heads. Took several pics here and then began our way out of the canyon. We made it back to the car near 3pm, wrapping up our 8 hour, 16 mile journey.
On the drive home we found ourselves in a bit of a dilemma. We were starving for a good hot meal, but who is open on Thanksgiving? Indian Casino! We stopped at Apache Gold just outside of Globe for steak, a burger and hot wings. It was delicious. Didn't notice a single other restaurant open for the rest of the trip. Even McDonald's was closed for the holiday.
This was an A+ hike. I look forward to more Thanksgiving holiday's like this one. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee. |
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