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| Backpack | 19.20 Miles |
992 AEG |
| | Backpack | 19.20 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 992 ft AEG | | 33 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Found out last minute that I had a 3 day weekend so I decided I would try to find something fun to do. Permits for Aravaipa East were still available and I had always wanted to go so I obtained a permit from 6/1 to 6/3.
Day 1
Initially began my hike at the main parking lot, but changed my mind and decided I would try to shorten my hike by re-parking on Turkey Creek Road. Having never been to the area before I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of road conditions & parking- but the road is relatively easy and there is plenty of parking along Turkey Creek.
The temps were in the mid to upper 90s and it was a little humid, but walking in the water made it feel much cooler. I took a short stroll up Parsons Canyon, but it didn't look too interesting and I soon returned to the creek.
I had read that Deer Creek Canyon was worth the trip, so I made my way up to Hell Hole. The farther I went into the canyon, the narrower it became and the higher the cliff walls rose above me. I continued past Hell Hole and encountered 3 Bighorn Sheep (2 adults and 1 ewe) on the canyon floor. I was able to take a couple quick photos before they bolted deeper in the canyon. I had intended to explore the canyon further, but felt that I was intruding on the Sheep's territory so I turned around and headed back to the main canyon.
I still had 2 hours of daylight left, but decided to set up camp near the confluence of Aravaipa and Deer Creek Canyon. I set up camp, had dinner, and spent a leisurely couple of hours watching the light on the canyon walls slowly fade.
Day 2
Woke at 5am and was on the trail just after 6 with the intention of exploring Booger Canyon. Worked my way downstream and passed my first group of other hikers. Didn't realize I had reached Booger until I was already downstream of it, so I decided to keep marching down canyon.
I made my way to Horse Camp Canyon and worked my way up to the first dryfall. I poked around the pool at the base of the falls with a 7 foot agave stalk and was stunned to find the hole was deeper than the agave could reach! I decided not to scramble up the falls with my pack and headed back to the main creek.
It was still early at this point and I was beginning to debate staying for a 3rd day or not. I had already seen more than I expected to and hiked further than I had planned on hiking (my initial goal was only to reach Booger Canyon). After some internal debate, I decided I would cut my trip short and skip day 3, so I headed back upstream to my truck. I still don't know if I am entirely happy with my decision to leave the canyon early. I knew it was going to be close to 100 degrees before long and that I would probably be miserable continuing to hike through the canyon during mid day. I could have set up camp early and waited out the heat, but I am the kind of person who needs to keep moving (hence my login) and would go crazy if I just sat around. |
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