| |
|
| | |
|
| Backpack | 10.20 Miles |
2,969 AEG |
| | Backpack | 10.20 Miles | 1 Day 1 Hour 20 Mns | | |
| 2,969 ft AEG | | 32 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Friday afternoon we decided to change our plans and instead of car camping we decided to do a backpack. To me, car camping is for socializing while backpacking is great for small numbers. After throwing out several ideas, we finally decided to go to Hidden Pasture. Joel had never been and I had done most of the route with SAHC a few years ago as a day hike.
Saturday morning, we left the house about 7:30 and arrived at the trailhead a little over an hour later. The Mescal exit overpass was closed so we had to go further on I-10 than usual. The unmarked trailhead is 9.9 miles from the Mescal exit (most of it a dirt/gravel road). We headed east and crossed Ash Creek. On the other side we got on the trail and headed north for a while. After a bit there is a gate in the fence and at that point you head mostly northeast. At first the trail is pretty easy to follow but that doesn't last long. Luckily, the trail is marked fairly often with cairns.
The rock formations the entire trek are simply awesome! Between .5 and .75 you can look down into the drainage and see some etched pools. The drainage below becomes quite rugged in that area. A little ways later, you come to another gate. This one as constructed using the oak trees. The gate was open (looked damaged) and so we left it that way. We continued along the trail. Eventually it crosses the drainage a few times. At about 1.75 we came to another set of pools in which we took a break next too. In the pools there were several frogs. We debated whether or not there would be water further up canyon. According to the map several drainages flow into Hidden Pasture. We decided to take our chances and we didn't fill up our water containers. It had rained earlier in the week in Tucson, so surely there had to be some water...
We continued along our way. At one point the trail heads up the side of the hill to avoid a what looked like might have been a good waterfall during wet times. The trail climbs around a nob and then at some point goes down into Hidden Pasture.
There are some large oaks and a few juniper tress to provide shade. There is a sandy drainage running along side the trees. Overall a very tranquil spot! We had our lunch and then started the search for water. We split up and then reported back. Neither one of us had found water. Joel had found an old dam and cow trough - both dry. We decided to return back to the last set of pools for the night.
Before returning however, we had a mission to do -- North Star! Inaccurately described in the description of this hike as the high point of the range. North Star Peak stands at 6,041 feet while Forest Hill is at 6,114 feet.
The route we selected up to North Star was interesting to say the least. It was very steep and included crawling under and through scrub oak and rock scrambling. The top had awesome views of the Rincons and all around. Along the way, I found a benchmark that was placed in 1924. The peak register indicated that it's not a common destination - which makes it even better!
We went back down, collected our packs, and returned to the pools. I found an ice sandy area to set up the tent while Joel filtered water. The sunset was a great way to end a perfect day.
In the morning we hiked back to the car. It was an easy hike since we had only about 2 miles to go! |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
