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| Hiking | 3.19 Miles |
1,756 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.19 Miles | 3 Hrs 50 Mns | | 1.13 mph |
| 1,756 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Ah the Granite Wash Mountains, what you don't know where they are? Don't worry not too many people have heard of them either. This has been another area that has been on my mind after being in the Harcuvars a few times. Well this weekend might be one of my last to head on out to an area that heats up once the sun comes up so it was time to get on up Salome Peak.
First of all, the town of Salome had its own unique feel to it and I couldn't wait for after the hike to be over so I could see if their general store accepted debit cards so I could get a coke. I was thinking the roads into the mountains might present their own adventure getting close enough to start for my liking, but at last I finally had a perfect driving approach and was able to get closer to the mountain than I had anticipated. A mile from the top, I couldn't and wouldn't complain about that.
The first thing I noticed on the way in was the massive cholla plants surrounding the desert floor. I've had enough run ins with this plant this year already and was thinking how unfair it is that they can get as big as they were. Oh well, time to turn my attention to the peak itself. From where I parked I could see the top and the nice fat rocky ridge leading on up to it which quickly drew my attention away from the hideous cholla all around.
Entering a main wash before breaking away for the ridge was a stellar idea, it was also beautiful to see the formation of the large granite slabs everywhere. The wash was sandy and pretty open, nothing to really avoid or cause the usual dripping of blood down my legs. As granite likes to differ from slab to slab it went from smooth and firm to loose and grainy, but it made for some great scrambles on the way to the ridge and on the ridge itself. Upon exit of the wash and onto the ridge around the 2800' contour I noticed just how fun it was going to be to get up to the top of this peak. The large slabs just kept coming out of the mountain and I really started to enjoy this morning more and more. I quickly gave up my push for the summit and began to enjoy the area more and more and ventured on every slab I could on my way to the top. It was nice to actually slow it down for once and enjoy the solitude I was experiencing and not worry about how far away the summit was, plus I needed the practice. It actually came in very handy this day, still breaking in new shoes I finally found the way these shoes stick to the rock better, but they still do not stick as well as my old pair but fit and feel as good as any shoe i've ever had. Got to take both the good and bad I guess.
After enjoying the rocks on my way to the top I looked up and could see what I assumed was as large summit cairn not far away, man am I there already? I top out on the summit as the breeze picks up and it made for a great morning feeling. Again I was on top of a mountain and drinking a brew before 8am, got to love that. This area is so rugged and beautiful it is worthy of a visit and I will be sure to be out here again during the winter.
The descent down I wanted to take the adjacent wash I started in where I was noticing some massive boulders which I was hoping would make for some interesting squeezing through to get down. Boy was I amazed to drop into a massive labyrinth in the rock that threw chimney climbs down, a few squeezing through the rock moments, and a few sheer drop offs that couldn't be down climbed and would have been perfect rappels but I wasn't equipped with that gear today. So the climb out of the rock back into the sun and then back into the shady narrow passage had me thrilled and fulfilled the day as much as it could. This descent was slower than what going down the ridge would have been for sure, but the thrill it provided was pretty amazing and has me gearing up for the upcoming canyoneering summertime fun that will start soon. Off the rock and back into the main wash on the desert floor and back to the Jeep. Ha, didn't notice how many cholla barbs where stuck on my tires from the drive in. They didn't get me today so I was happy to brush them off my tires and head on into Salome for a coke. They do indeed take debit. YES! |
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