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| Hiking | 3.70 Miles |
1,580 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.70 Miles | 5 Hrs 35 Mns | | 1.03 mph |
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| 1,580 ft AEG | 2 Hrs Break | 25 LBS Pack | |
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| no partners | | My incentive for hiking up North Butte was to find & log the NORTH BUTTE Triangulation Benchmark, its 2 Reference Marks (#1 & #2), and NORTH BUTTE Azimuth Benchmark. I found those 4 disks, plus 2 geocaches, and also found the Summit log. The earliest login I found in the summit log was 1984. (I made a log entry & added more paper, as the existing paper was so dried out, it crumbled in my hand).
This climb was from the west side. There's no trail anywhere, so it's up to your vision & common sense, as to the best & safest bushwhacking way to the top. Ironically, I did a good job choosing my way up, as opposed to the 2 or 3 "backtracks" I had to do coming back down. (For me, it's normally the other way around). So, I can recommend my route "up" for your ascent & for your descent too.
The top is about 1/2 mile long from north to south, and is quite unique, as it varies in width and surface type. The south portion is wider & higher, with a more typical mix of small rocks & desert terra firma. The mid section has huge rock plates, that are difficult to maneuver, as some are quite unstable. The north end is lower and narrower than the south end. It's full of boulders, yet the boulders are easy to navigate on and around.
The NORTH BUTTE Triangulation Benchmark, and its 2 Reference Marks (#1 & #2), are located close to the higher, south edge. The surveyors installed ("monumented") those 3 benchmarks in 1935. The NORTH BUTTE Azimuth Benchmark is at the very far north end of North Butte & was monumented in 1936. The Azimuth mark is a bit tricky to find, but I had the surveyors' datasheet to assist my search.
From the south end, you have wonderful views of the Gila river & South Butte, which lies just across the Gila. South Butte is much lower and smaller than North Butte. The north end of North Butte also has excellent vistas.
The climb down was slow due to all the loose rock, and it was longer due to my backtracking.
All in all, it was a very successful hike. I found all the things I set out to find, and had a great time. |
| _____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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