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| Hiking | 19.10 Miles |
3,200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.10 Miles | 7 Hrs 40 Mns | | 2.49 mph |
| 3,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Oh what a day it turned out to be. Not really in a good way. Started out doing the Cave Creek/Skunk Tank Loop Trail. I did this one before and it is a nice trail that isn't a super long drive. There was a little water running in the creek but it was minimal. Weather was good and there were even a few flowers still in bloom.
As I remembered the Skunk Tank Trail starts to climb pretty much right away. Things are going great and I'm feeling good. Plenty of solitude and time to clear the head since I was the only one on the trail the whole day.
Upon reaching the Quien Sabe Trail junction that leads to the Skull Mesa Trail I decide what the heck. Around and up and over I go. Nice views open up and then there is a dry grassy area where the trail pretty much goes away. Luckily there are cairns here and there to aid with the route finding. I continue on and without thinking take a right at Skull Mesa and take it almost all the way to the road. I realize after a bit with the help of the sun above that I am going the opposite direction of where I need to be. I continued on for awhile to make sure I wasn't missing anything good. Once I lost all of my elevation I figured it would be best to turn back and make my way towards the trailhead. At the junction I turned right on Skull Mesa but lost it after a short bit. I went back a few times to see where I got off course but just couldn't seem to figure it out. (where's a GPS when I need one) Anyway I only brought enough water for the CC/ST loop and I had gone way past that by now so I just started bushwhacking in a direction that I thought would get me where I needed to be. No Bueno, big mistake! I kept going and going, with cactus, brush and manzanitas grabbing me constantly. I pointing myself towards a saddle that I was sure would be a good enough vantage point to see where I needed to be. Once there nothing in site but hills and mountains and no trails. I climbed to the top of the nearest mountain and still nothing but the big water tower or observatory off in the distance. At least this got me straightened out. I crossed hills and washes and again went to the summit of another high point and FINALLY in the distance could see the Cottonwood Trail. Thank God!
I took off like a bolt of lightning and wouldn't you know it I tripped and fell right on a prickly pear. Right hand is now full of spines and I realized it just isn't my day. To make matters worse my water is on super low. More bushwhack and bam there is that big white ranch off in the distance. Shortly after that the trail came in view. I tell you I have never been so happy to see a trail in my life! 
At this point I am beat, but mentally recharged now that I am back on a trail. My best guess is that I did a minimum of 4 miles of bushwhack. It's amazing how much it takes out of you. I came out looking like pigpen and my sweat pants are destroyed.
Then on the way out a Coyote jumps out and clump I hit the poor guy. I hate that! I didn't stop to see if he survived.
After all that I am just happy to be sitting here at home now. May tomorrow be just a tad bit less adventuresome. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
