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| | Governors and Salvation Peaks, AZ | | | |
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Governors and Salvation Peaks, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.60 Miles |
2,339 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.60 Miles | 4 Hrs 10 Mns | | 1.82 mph |
| 2,339 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | I met BobP and Denny at the Police Station where I thought it would be safer if things went down wrong. Fortunately, my first meeting with the 3D version went smoothly and we were off.
I was supposed to know the area, but 6 old eyeballs and a clearly malfunctioning GPS unit contributed to a little extra sightseeing in the Taco before we found the Spring Valley Trailhead for reals.
The first mile or so on trail was pleasant, with dense green Ocotillos from all the rain. I'm sure the temperature was not very high, but the humidity was stifling, and what should have been a moderate off trail approach to Governors ended up kicking my Pumpkin. We found some nice shade off the summit and took a break - what a difference 15 minutes and cool liquids can make. Re energized, we headed down towards Salvation Peak, 500 feet lower but still a very cool rocky precipice that towers over Castle Hot Springs below. Equipped with a steel cable and pipe ladder, the final few feet are pretty cool.
http://youtu.be/rCyn20CEjhM
The original loop included bagging two more peaks to the north, but they looked pretty demanding, and the combination of rising temps, full sun, and high humidity had us all agreeing to save them for another day.
We decided to head down a steep scree slope to the bottom of Crater Canyon, Bob leading the way to reach its sandy floor. The north arm looked more interesting, and would not exit right at Castle Hot Springs, so we headed up, checking out the grottos and bouldering opportunities.
http://youtu.be/3oB1h5aW1kU
We exited near a huge stand of untrimmed monster palms, cutting through to reach the road and our path back to the truck. I saw something gallop across the road ahead and thought it a Coyote, but when it reappeared in the wash it was clearly a Bobcat. My first! 
I saw a cool rock 10 feet off the road and managed my only real fall of the day executing the move known as "Stepping over the graded edge of the road while zipping up your camera case." Somehow I managed to jamb dirt about 1/3 of the way into my pinky nail bed in the process, and I can tell you, attempting to clean it out when I got home was no laughing matter.
Even though Bob wanted to ride on top of my subwoofer box again on the way home, I insisted this time to take it out so he could sit like a normal person in my ExtraCab rear seat.
I think I'll save the other peaks for cooler weather, but a fun hike with good company nonetheless. |
| _____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
