DESTINATION Generic 145 Photosets
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| 4x4 Trip | 7.70 Miles |
1,057 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 7.70 Miles | 1 Hour 30 Mns | | 7.22 mph |
| 1,057 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Not knowing just what the conditions would be like for hiking, we decided to start with a drive in the late stages of a winter storm in the same area as 3 days ago. Wow what a difference! 30-40 degrees cooler and of course with the snow and rain overnight we knew the road could be quite treacherous but were willing to check it out.
Just off SR 87 it was immediately apparent the road was slick and muddy in spots. As we came around the first corner to turn onto FR1333 there was a mini-van blocking the road. It didn't take a moment to see why... an old man (older than me anyway) was in mid-swipe after taking a dump on the side of the road within feet of his vehicle. Not wanting to add to his embarassment I swung the other direction and drove until reaching the rocky wash, where we stopped, got out and aired-down the tires while waiting to provide enough time for the man to finish his business and leave. And leave he did... not only driving away, but leaving very visible evidence right next to the road. [-X
(Later when we drove back out just the thought of it all and Tracey said it was one scene she'd never be able to erase from memory... :yuck: I daresay the man may feel the same way!)
Ok, that drama over, we stayed in the sandy wash to begin with until we realized the snow was melting fast in the steady drizzle. Wanting to get some photos of snow on the Saguaros higher up the slopes we turned back and headed up the actual FR1333, running along the ridge above and east of the wash we were just in. Although wet, the road was not too greasy yet so we continued, stopping for photos along the way. We planned to keep going until road conditions dictated it was time to turn back. Quite some distance up in the sharp-rocky area it was a smoother ride than when it was dry, but I knew there would not be another place to turn around until reaching the highest saddle and was sure some areas would be very greasy so we turned around while we could. Good thing we did because now the rain was coming down again and the road was much greasier on the way back out.
Once back out the rain was easing again and we decided to drive the other way onto FR3456 for a ways before taking our hike for the day. No matter what the weather, we were going to hike... at least that was my thought, I'm not so sure Tracey was that eager.  |
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