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| Canyoneering | 9.00 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 9.00 Miles | | | |
| 200 ft AEG | | 5 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Little Running Water. That's what the Aravaipa Apaches called this place. Aravaipa holds a special place in my heart which I will not even try to explain, you would think I'm crazy. Suffice it to say this was a fantastic, emotional, spiritual experience for me. I understand why it was such a special place for them. I've lived close to this place nearly all my life, and this is my first trip into the canyon. It definitely will not be my last.
For me, the beauty starts right after you leave the pavement on the road in. My hubby and I, and his mom discussed every ranch house, every residence we came to. "Do you know who lives there now? I know so-and-so used to live there a long time ago, but I think they sold out. And it looks like someone has redone the house, I wonder if it got water in it in that big flood in '86". And another conversation - "I think the Aravaipa Arabian Horse Ranch is the last place at the top of the canyon, we used to get there by driving around either the Ranger Station, or going by the Nature Conservancy station. I don't remember exactly." "How many buildings did the Woods family have when they donated their ranch to the Nature Conservancy?" "Was the horse ranch part of the old Woods property?" They went on and on during the whole drive.
The Abe White bridge was named after a family that we know well, also. Abe White's grandson works with my husband. And Aravaipa Farms - I worked with a guy who used to own that place as well. It's now a bed and breakfast, and I understand it is on the market again. Then there's the Youngs. They have been in the area for ever, folks who knew what it was like to build something out of nothing, and turn it into paradise.
Wow. Why did I wait so long to come? I know part of this answer. I'm very self conscious, I didn't know if I could hike it or not. I was pretty athletic as a kid and a young adult, but 9 years of working during the day and going to college at night turned my body into a big bowl of mush. I've been working at getting my strength back, and getting some sort of hiking legs back under me, but I wasn't sure how well I would do. And let me tell you, my MIL is 74, she walks every single day at least 5 miles. I was more than a little bit intimidated at her coming along. But I knew she would enjoy it, and she would enjoy a day of just getting away. I had to ask her to come. She loved it.
As it turned out, we went in all the way to maybe a half mile from Horse Camp Canyon, stopped in the shade and ate lunch, then walked back out. My lower extremities were really asking me what the bleep I was doing to them by then, but today I feel pretty darn good. Outside of jamming my right big toe into a rock and making me think I broke it, I survived quite well. Every where we looked, it was another "Oh Wow" moment.
We saw other hikers and campers, even caught one guy skinny dipping. He didn't seem to care we caught him bare naked, he just stood there dressing as we walked up on them.
We left the trailhead at 7:35 a.m., and were back at 3:40 or so. I think we took an hour long break for lunch. I haven't quite figured out the mileage, but that to me wasn't a big thing. Hubby and I are planning to go again next year, but this time to spend the night. What a great trip! |
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