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| Hiking | 8.02 Miles |
2,622 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.02 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 2.47 mph |
| 2,622 ft AEG | 45 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Since it has been a year since my last trek in the Harcuvars I decided I would give Smith Peak a go. Like any other time in this area, the drive in is an adventure in itself which gave me plenty of mud, a slide out of control of 10 feet into a rocky bank, the thought of is this even a road anymore, to this is my trailhead for the day.
Starting under some power lines that were leading up the mountain I left the Jeep and headed west at the base for a good 40 minute desert floor traverse. No way am I taking a road up this mountain. I spotted a good looking ridge that led to the summit, or just below it and it proved to be worth every minute on it.
After a few jack rabbit and cow sightings, I was at my ridge leading the way to the summit. Nothing too rocky, but a few sections of intense steep loose terrain had me digging my toes in on my rest stepping approach. What a calf burning ridge this proved to be. Also a teasing approach as you can see the towers on top pretty much the entire time and after a bit you just want to be at them. Well the way this ridge went up it really didn't take too long and 2 hours after I started I was on top trying to avoid the gusty wind now blowing.
I found the summit register which is in bad shape, the jar is broken and the log is pretty much out of space and needs to be replaced. I would suggest some HAZers to make a trek up here and replace it in style. I found a plastic cup up top to put the log in to try and protect it the best it can be until it is replaced.
The views up top are what make this area one of the best in the state for me. To the north the rugged area around Alamo Lake are just amazing, to the south the jagged desert are just great to look at. Not a soul around, just a chilly quiet day up top.
On the way down I scoped out the amazing drainage that leads down below the summit, I would think technical gear would be required as some areas looked to have steep drop offs, as much as I wanted to explore this it wasn't on the agenda for the day and I took the jeep trail down most of the way following the power lines back to the Jeep. Don't really know if this was faster at all? But another great day out in the Harcuvars, what else can you ask for? |
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