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| Hiking | 16.00 Miles |
2,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.00 Miles | 20 Hrs | | 1.33 mph |
| 2,000 ft AEG | 8 Hrs Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The mission was to get some exercise in the Castle Creek Wilderness.
Things started off rather promising with the discovery of a 4' gopher snake on the road near Cleator. He was a nice looking specimen, though I have seen bigger here at the farm. One thing was for sure, he would be toast if he continued to bask on the road; the next car to flatten him for sure.
The last time I messed around with a big gopher snake ended with a painful bite on my hand. It was kind of funny: its tiny teeth actually broke the skin and drew blood, making a crescent shape of evenly spaced little holes. The ensuing battle scar was fun to show off to the guys at work, though I was not in a hurry to get another one, and used a stick to shoo the snake across the road to safety.
The mountains here are steep and rugged, with many rock outcrops and obstacles. The rough country was slow going, and I finally called it quits around 11PM, despite there being an abundance of moonlight that evening. Camp was on a rocky summit, the kind of place that few bears would venture, should they wish to disrupt my slumber. However, black little ants were to accomplish that end quite nicely, after they somehow found entry into my tent.
The next day I checked a few springs and mines, walking around to see what lies behind the next bend, with no schedule or itinerary. The Heat did make a showing around noon, and combined with little sleep, sapped the last of my mojo on the way back to Cleator. A cold drink at the local bar would have hit the spot, but I passed on this occasion, the mountain having taken all my spit and vinegar.
I made passage through town without incident, the local attack dog nearly toppling over the ramshackle fence that confined him. Someday he will break through and maul some poor fellow, no doubt.
Further down the road, I returned to the place where I saw the fine looking gopher snake. He lay dead in the road, having crossed once again, only to be flattened by a passing car....What a pity. |
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Blanchard Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Crazy Basin Creek has water much of the year. |
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Crazy Basin Creek |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| | | Repeated monsoon storms have given this creek some life. The Agua Fria feeder streams are flowing big right now. |
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Harris Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | A good place to find water through the summer. |
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Quail Spring |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | This spring has been dry for some time. The tanks are in disrepair and pipes obstructed. | | _____________________
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