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| Hiking | 6.40 Miles |
337 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.40 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 1.83 mph |
| 337 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | This was a fun and interesting hike, the contingent consisted of myself, Howard, Doug, Tom and our guide Snakemarks (Kat). We parked our vehicles at the large horse lot on First Water Road and following the introductions, began a clockwise hike with the first stop at Hackberry Spring.
I have tried two times within recent weeks to find the elusive pipe so Kat volunteered her expertise at showing me where it is hidden. This first part of the hike is quick and scenic following a narrow wash that intersects with First Water Creek. After hiking the creek bed through the final canyon, Kat led us around the bend in the creek and told me "it's right there". Yep, there it was, that darned pipe coming out of the base of the cliff and dribbling a small amount of water.
After getting some shots of the spring for proof, we continued on with our hike to Garden Valley. The route took us through the lush camping areas close to the spring then up and around the mountain that houses the spring. We arrived at the saddle where two trails meet, one going down to the old Barkley Ranch site, the other going up to Garden Valley. We went up.
Once in Garden Valley, we did the normal exploring in this area that at one time housed an ancient people who farmed and hunted the appropriately named area. The hills along the Southwest side of the valley have interesting rock formations, hidden alcoves and scenic views of the old ranch site and Goldfield Mountains. The lack of winter rain is evident as the grass is yet to green up and the normally plentiful flowers just aren't there.
We left Garden Valley on the route that takes us down and South towards First Water Creek. We kept running into more hikers now and the sun is getting warmer as the noon hour approaches. Before long we are on our way out of the trailhead heading for the horse lot.
The only casualty of the day, was Daisy, Tom's young Black Lab. She was so busy exploring the areas that she got pretty well stuck up with Cholla spears in her feet and lower jaw. Some may not agree with me, but I don't think that dogs should run without a leash in the Garden Valley area.
We all enjoyed the day, the hike, the scenic views and finally locating the spring, but most of all it was the opportunity to meet and hike with Kat. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the hike and for showing me where that spring is. Hope we meet again somewhere out there. |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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