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| Backpack | 17.00 Miles |
1,200 AEG |
| | Backpack | 17.00 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 1,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Special thanks for Belinda for posting her trip on HAZ and letting me join. This hike has been on my list for some time and outta-the-blue...I see a post in the forums for KEET SEEL...I love this website; even got to met some new friends (nonHAZers) from Tucson.
We had done the hard part of the trail the day before when we did Betatakin...so we knew what we were up against on this OAB hike. The night before, we completed the mandatory ranger lecture back at the VC (basically a power-point with various pictures of the trail) and were excited to get on the trail the next morning.
Overall, the trail is fairly easy...the hardest part is mentally preparing to walk in urine and feces for several hours.  I wore my Keen water shoes w/trail socks which were great for the hike, but when I got home, it took forever to hand wash those extra nasty socks while showering.
The weather was predicted to be very nice, so I opted to NOT take my 4+lb tent and only took my new Eno hammock (1lb). This was my trial run sleeping in the hammock and my experience was "so-so" (I have a tough time sleeping anywhere it seems); plenty of oak tress to hang from in the campground though. I carried extra water since I left the tent...caching 3 liters at the bottom of the hill, prior to the first stream crossing. (very good idea for future hikers btw)
We arrived at the campground first...around 2ish...and then we all bolted off for the tour with our muddy, stinky, wet feet. Our tour guide was a young woman ranger, but she seemed to know her stuff. We took TONS of pictures and gained a lot of information about the Anasazi. The site itself is amazing with preserved artifacts including midden piles with human hair, corn cobs, shards, etc. The ranger uncovered her personal stash which included some arrowheads and beads. Belinda got a double tour of the ruin as her battery expired midway during the first...she asked the ranger if she go back to camp (1/2 mile) and get a fresh one and she agreeably said "yes".
When I got back to our campsite, I found several Phoenicians from another website...a few were also hanging in hammocks, so I was able to get a few tips from some seasoned "hangers"...there was also a very nice couple for Colorado who spent quite a bit of time getting to know us. In total we had 14 and the campsite seemed a bit cramped...
This campsite has THEE NICEST compost toilets I've had the pleasure of placing my cheeks upon..."If it's pee let it be, if it's poop add a scoop" is the motto there...the scoop being a small cup of wood-chips which you can pour onto your steaming pile when finished. It seemed to work as the facilities were simply fantastic!!!
The hike out the next day seemed to go really quick. The hardest part of course was the sandy climbs at the beginning of the steep hill climb. Hiking sticks ARE VERY helpful for this section...
Once out, Mitch/Belinda had some issues back at the Visitor Center. I blame a bellagonna school teacher (who was at the site w/the rangers as a special guest) who I'm sure over-reacted to a few comments made by Mitch and caused a huge fuss with her ranger friends. Had it not been for that issue, I would give Navajo National Monument a 5-star rating. Well heck...okay I'll give it 5 stars anyway...all the bathrooms were great, campsites clean and garbage cans empy; the staff (for the most part very kind and helpful, and everything was straight forward, all we had to do was follow the rules. This park is really a gem and if you haven't been, I highly recommend.
Bob, IChun, Belinda, Mitch and Lois...thanks again for a memorable weekend!! |
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