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| Hiking | 20.50 Miles |
5,720 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.50 Miles | 9 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.22 mph |
| 5,720 ft AEG | 35 Mns Break | 8 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Dog Canyon to Sunspot, that is what this hike is. Initially, I thought the miles may be off, but I suppose the road (FR 90B) was 2.9 miles as is stated in the description. If it was, I hiked at nearly 3 miles per hour for some time. I parked outside the State Park, at 4301', and Sacramento Peak comes in at 9255' per our mapdex, and adding in an additional 100' to account for rolling terrain and the drainage crossing, and it is at least 100 feet, I come up with 5055'. Not a bad day.
So far, of the 3 long hikes i have done in the last week, this is my favorite. Best hike overall, and best local hike in a long while. Great trail going up, smooth road on top, views, views, views, and a pleasant forest stroll terminating at a white monolith. It was all I could do to prevent myself from throwing partially broken cow leg bones into the air screaming! The views from the top are not cheapened by realizing you could easily drive here. I earned them, so they were sweeter.
Going down seemed to go really fast until it got dark, but I made very good time. I was back on the Dog Canyon Trail in 1:40 minutes. I guess I was going fast? I had to stop for a while to watch a humming bird, and again to observe the swallows under the west facing cliff that you hike under neath of, above the drainage crossing. The rock was warm in the sun, the air calm, and yet it sounded like a breeze was up from all of the little cigar shaped fighter pilot birds whooshing by me head. Also, they chirp a lot, and that is nice, too.
Caught the sunset from the second bench, and enjoyed Common Poorwhils calling in the canyon. I went very slow the last half mile, as I never wanted to turn on my lamp and alert campers of my presence. The moon went down behind the San Andreas Range like a thin red flame.
Good hike.
Edited 10/10: After using 2 existing routes, as well as satellite images and the GPS Route Manager, I produced a GPS route for up and down. I Synced it a few times, and got 5720' of AEG for the round trip hike! Way more than I thought. A few sections are crude, but they probably cause a loss in accuracy on the lower end. So, A solidly hard hike, overall. My miles will stay the same, as I parked outside the SP. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Dog Canyon |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | Sounded impressive near the park, but very light flow at the crossing. | | _____________________
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