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| Hiking | 8.94 Miles |
3,124 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.94 Miles | | | |
| 3,124 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | I've been wanting to do this hike for a while and when friends posted a campout event in the Chiricahuas for the holiday weekend, we decided to head down and then picked out this hike as our main event.
After our warmup hike (mostly) through a burn area the day before, we were glad to crest over Onion Saddle and drive down into the less fire-touched east side of the mountains. Before hitting the trail, we stopped in at the Visitors Center to say hi and see the snakes, in hopes that they would be the only ones we would see. The Mohave and Diamondback Rattlers were particularly riled up today, both buzzing as soon as we stepped into their corner.
With that out of the way (it worked - no snakes on the trail), we drove back over to the trailhead, geared up and set off. We were a bit late getting out and for the lower section it was a little hot but as we made our way steadily up, the temperature started dropping and by the time we started the final set of switchbacks the temperature was pretty pleasant.
We passed by the intact storage shed and outhouse, only to come around the last corner and find stairs (!?!). I guess it was necessary, with the Lookout Tower having been built up on the rocky crag, so we climbed on up, dropped our packs and relaxed. The views from here are stunning, all the way around, and with its grasses still green, Rustler Park looked, well, parkish.
It was a bit windy up on top and the breeze felt good, but after a break and a snack it was time to head down. The afternoon sun put a nice face on some of the cliffs that hadn't seemed so interesting in the morning, and we made our way back around The Fingers out to the exposed area of the trail in good time. Hot again, but we were going downhill, and it wasn't too long before we were back at the truck enjoying ice cold drinks.
The drive back over to Pinery Canyon gave us a chance to stop and enjoy a view of our conquest in the full afternoon sun, and we were soon back at camp for dinner and a very nice evening friends around the (gas) campfire. |
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