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| Hiking | 5.82 Miles |
1,716 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.82 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 1.16 mph |
| 1,716 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This was Plan A, though I was thinking of doing Plan B (a South Mtn hike) for something different but decided I needed to get out in this side of the Supes before the Festival traffic starts interfering with the weekend hikes out here. I posted last minute on FB too and got one taker so I was going to go Peralta to Cave but then the taker backed out that morning (due to a slowly healing injury) so I decided I was going to do the Cave Trail UP. I'm trying to vary some of the hikes I've done previously. And may I say, I made a GREAT choice except that I didn't realize how much UP  there really was going this way.
I started my hike at 9:35. I got up Cardiac Hill (250 ft elev gain, 2600 feet) pretty quickly for me but once again, I knew this was a short up so I feel I can keep a good pace... as would be the case for most of the "UP" for this hike. As I made my way, I hoped that the junction to the Cave Trail would be fairly obvious and it was.  Shortly thereafter I came to one of those bigger UPs but it was mostly on bedrock which I like. I paused at the top which was around a mile (3100 feet) from the Overflow Parking. There was a nice flat rock there that I could sit and enjoy the incredible view. Another hiker was right behind me and was startled when he looked up and saw me sitting there. We exchanged pleasantries and he continued on his way. In a few minutes I continued as well. I would see him later as he was returning to the Cave Trail from the Needle Lookout.
The route finding is very interesting as I would look for cairns to guide me on this non-pathed trail. I'm still a little new at this cairn reading and I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Most of the time this cairn reading was pretty easy except on occasion when there were a couple cairns in the same area but on different sides. I only had to make a couple very minor adjustments as I tried to make my way. I took a lot of video along the way that documented my route finding. This area is just so beautiful so making good time would not be my strong point.  The high point before leveling out seemed to be around the 3200 ft level (this is before you round the corner and head toward the Slide area).
Sometimes I would look ahead and marvel at the lack of a trail. I guess that's what makes it so much fun and a bit traumatic at times when you're out by yourself. I found the noise from the Peralta Trail quite annoying once I got on that side. I kept moving along and finally came to what I call Joe's 4 Saguaros before the Devil's Slide area. I was wondering how hard it would be to go straight up as I know it's frightening coming down. But up I went and when I got to the the Devil's Bathtub I just marveled again at the scenery. Another hiker that was guiding someone said, do you need to know which way to go and I said "no". It was kind of like being in the store when someone asks you if you need help and you say, "No thank you, I'm just looking".  I have to say that as I was climbing the Slide my bulging disk was saying "Aren't you done yet?" 
I was glad to finally get to Geronimo's Cave (3600 feet making the total ascent so far at nearly 1300 feet and 2 1/4 miles from the Overflow Lot) as I was hungry so I sat and enjoyed my 1/2 sandwich saving the other 1/2 for when I could look at the Needle. I must say, what a great place this was for lunch. And soon I was off again eventually finding my way to that narrow part of the trail that scrapes up next to a large rock formation on your west side. I ran into a couple hikers there that were not sure of the direction so I told them to follow the cairns and veer to the right.
As I came up on the area that is near the Peralta Trail, there is a fork with one way going left. I didn't think that was the way to the intersection I wanted  so I tracked back a bit and went more to the right coming soon near the intersection on the east side. And that's where I ran into the hiker (he is on this site but I am not positive of the HAZ name) I had seen at the 1 mile mark. We talked for quite a bit. He's an avid and strong hiker. I told him I took a lot of video and where he could find it later. I also told him he should post his trips so we'll see. He said the Needle Lookout was jammed with people and he decided to go back via the Cave Trail to avoid the throngs of folks on Peralta.
I went up a little ways and found a rock outcropping so I could sit and have the other 1/2 of my sandwich while enjoying my private view of the Needle. I then came back to the intersection with the Cave Trail, took a 360 video and recalled the hiker I also met here who said "I didn't know my legs could take me this far". What a great statement and what a great place his legs took him.
I ended going back on the Peralta. The crowds seemed to have dispersed so it wasn't too bad. The sun was shining very nicely on the east side of the trail so I got a couple good photos. I didn't take any video on this part of the trail. With about 3/4 of a mile left I ran into these two older couples where some ladies had inquired about my trekking poles. We chatted for a moment and then I finished off the trail getting back to Tonto by 3:45 (moving time a little over 3 hours).
Here are 3 videos  so you can come along with me, I had a GREAT time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBf12j3xv0c along the trail from Cardiac Hill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX2JXB3mEVg along and toward the top of the trail to the Cave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSvg8MZFe0g Cave to Weavers Needle |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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