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| Hiking | 10.90 Miles |
1,790 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.90 Miles | 5 Hrs 45 Mns | | 1.90 mph |
| 1,790 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | What can I say, what a great day!  We started off at 7:10AM. The temps were slightly chilly especially when we would go thru the low lying areas but as we headed up Parker's Pass, they were getting just about right. The sun finally came out from under the thin layer of cloud cover but in this case, sorry to say, it wouldn't stay. I kept hoping the overcast would burn off but it never did. I never broke much of a sweat this whole trip and my eyebrow remained fully in tact. 
We encountered several backpackers coming out as we made our way on the Dutchman. The two groups we encountered had both been out for 3 days. They said the full moon was awesome. Still, why would you head out at 8AM when you have a full and beautiful morning to enjoy the Supes with a nice cup of coffee and a leisurely breakfast?  We hit the intersection with the Black Mesa Trail at 9AM and shortly thereafter headed up toward the wash breaking for refueling at 9:15. Our view of the red cliffs to our south was wonderful.
After a quick look-see inside the cave at the ravine entrance, UP, UP, UP we went. The pace was perfect and I was able to film quite a bit of the slog up this area surrounded by spectacular views. The footing was a bit tricky at times and some of the brush was thick. However, John had his pruners and he clipped away at a couple areas. Then we arrived at an Ambika-sized tunnel under a large slab of fallen rock. It was a little tight in one spot as my pack needed a little extra umph to get through. And then you had to go straight up again for awhile.
As we neared the top of the ravine the wind really picked up but the reward, WOW! Nothing like having Weaver's Needle in your face. (Scout said at 10:38 we had gone 5 miles, 2850 elev.) And then the views down below to the Dutchman and Peralta and the wash going up right toward the base of the Needle. Simply stunning... but the wind. It was blowing so hard it was difficult to keep my camera steady. Fortunately the wind would die down and we would get the opportunity to get to the eastern spine after making our way north and then east again to another clearing. Here we encountered a giant-branched ocotillo. It would be from this area that we would hike to below the Arch. But first, the spine.
John quickly took the lead followed by Kelly and they headed out on the narrow spine dropping once to their hands and knees to negotiate a tricky area and hold on during a wind gust. Ambika and I slowly made our way out to join them. It wasn't as scary as I thot it might be so I moved along pretty easily. Where the spine narrowed above the Arch, we had to stop. We all took our turns leaning over to see if we could see the opening for the arch but the angle made it impossible to see from here. We took our photos anyway. The views from here were once again just incredible as you could see from the edge of the Ridgeline, to Parkers Pass to Yellow Peak to Battleship and the Four Peaks and of course WAY down to all the trails and creeks and washes below! It was quite a rush moving along that narrow spine. I did discover it's better not to look ALL the way down as that bottom ground starts moving. 
Now we had to go back across this spine to get to the clearing. This was so cool cuz you had Weavers Needle in the background; but with the grey skies, it wasn't as great a photo as it could have been. While we were heading down for our lunch spot, I wanted to get the close-up photo of the saguaro below the Arch opening but I saw something move in the grass. It didn't rattle but I thot, I'll just go back and try a zoom instead. Our lunch spot was so ideal. You had a great view of the saguaro and the Arch and all of the area below this spot. Just lovely.
About an hour later we headed back down the ravine. It was indeed steep so I was glad to have my trekking poles. It's hard to enjoy the views when you have to concentrate on the ground. It was easier getting through the Ambika-rock tunnel except that when you come out the other side, it is straight down so you gotta hold on. We took a somewhat different path when we got down from there but then ended up back on the route we had taken on the initial part of the climb up. We were back down to the wash in a little over 1/2 hour.
We headed north down the wash all the way to the Dutchman Trail. We meant to get out sooner but we were clipping along pretty good in the wash and before you knew it, a few cairns popped up and we decided we had made it all the way to the Dutchman. So for future reference, if folks want to get on this route, rather than looking for the scraggly tree to the wash, this area is marked by cairns and you can turn up (south) it instead. I will post the photo with the geocode marking the cairned spot. We reached the Lost Dutchman/Boulder Trail intersection at 1:30.
Our trip the rest of the way was uneventful but quite pleasant... other than those grey skies. The company was great and the trail/scenery was great. I think we only encountered about 1/2 dozen or less folks on the way back but I'm not sure. We were back to the TH a little after 3:30 and finished our marvelous day at Los Gringos.
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iZ2LgsIBNcThis part of the video goes from First Water TH along the Lost Dutchman, up a wash and then part way up the ravine to Aylor's Arch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcyO2ssvrVwThis video shows us finishing up getting to the top of the Ravine at Aylor's Arch, a bit of our walk on the spine to the Arch, our hike below the Arch for lunch and back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71OqXJizaz4From the Arch ravine, down to the wash, meeting up with Dutchman's Trail to First Water TH. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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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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