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| Hiking | 10.00 Miles |
3,100 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.00 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 2.53 mph |
| 3,100 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 3 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Some friends had been suggesting we try Black Mesa. The planets aligned and today was the day.
To put a little different twist on things and to make some of the logistics easier, we came in from the West via the little used Rondo Springs Trail (HAZ description to be added soon). Our Jeep and their Razor took us on some rocky roads on State Trust Land to our jumping off point. In the cool morning Black Mesa loomed ahead seemingly far away and very very high. We set off in good spirits with a nice pace. The Rondo Springs Trail varies from sandy washes to loose rocky footing. But we quickly made it Rondo Springs and enjoyed the long used desert oasis.
Then began the long climb. From the Springs we headed left (north) up to visit the Turtle who points the way to many places, Black Mesa among them. The trail up to BM is little used and can be difficult to follow. Some cairns along the way help, but luckily I had the trail copied onto my GPS' maps. Plus I like to think I can track a field mouse across bare slick rock. We did have to find our way back onto the trail a few times. But we never got lost. Even saw a very nice deer bounding away from us ever so gracefully.
We cut off some of the published routing when the trail became indistinguishable from the surrounding rocky cactus laden ground and just pointed ourselves uphill. Everyone was quite winded by the time we made the summit. But the views were worth the effort. Could even see the Mogollon Rim very clearly to the north.
Lunched at the top, took the obligatory photos, located both a geocache and USGS benchmark before working our way back down.
The return was uneventful except for a spill that resulted in a minor wrist sprain. Another good day above ground! |
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All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
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