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| Hiking | 3.60 Miles |
1,885 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.60 Miles | 2 Hrs 50 Mns | | 1.54 mph |
| 1,885 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Met John9L and Hippy at the Basha's in Cave Creek, where we purchased perhaps the two most important items for any off-trail adventure - Red Solo cups and Gummi Bears.
Headed to Old Mine Rd, where we were fortunate enough to catch three residents chatting by their mailbox, and asked about access at the end of the road. They said that as long as we proceeded on foot, we could disregard the locked gate and No Trespassing sign. 
Parked on the spur to the right of the gate and headed up the misty road. The rain for the time being had passed and only low clouds remained, along with that wonderful smell of wet desert.
At the saddle we left the road, heading up a use trail towards Apache Peak. I'm not sure how many "peaks" there are along this ridge, but every one had a summit cairn. The "trail" was cool, and soon we were on top, trying to figure out where the ruins were from above. We made our way down on section at a time, until near the south end we finally spotted the prize. One tricky gulley and some wild decomposed granite/Jojoba scrambling later, we were there. 
The ruins are amazing, with intact mortar at many of the joints, and plentiful pottery shards. We relaxed for awhile inside, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the architecture until I headed off to get the Picmimic angle. John and Hippy showed great patience while I took about 117 shots trying to make sure I got it. Satisfied, we headed up the ridge, realizing how much easier this way was than the way we came.
The first few drops landed as we hit the closed off road, and like clockwork, started to pour as we reached the Taco. We were prepared to spend the whole time getting soaked, but the weather had been perfect - cool, clean air with wispy low clouds - who could ask for more. |
| _____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
