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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
1,382 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | 2 Hrs 37 Mns | | 2.14 mph |
| 1,382 ft AEG | 45 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | With my original plans for the weekend getting changed because of the weather that moved in, I decided to throw a last minute trek together since it looked like my beloved Western part of the state wasn't going to see much change.
I slept in, leaving town at 6am in a nice cool overcast setting, I made my way through some strong blowing dust, then this thing we do not see often rain and actually started to second guess my thinking for a minute. But as I got closer to the old QTZ the sun was out, the Plomosa peaks shining bright and I knew it was going to be a great day.
I've been wanting to come out to the Plomosa for awhile now, a place that you really hear nothing about and I do not see much of it posted anywhere. I've only seen the range from the I-10 and the Kofas in which she really doesn't show her good side. Once I headed north and onto Plomosa Rd. I saw a side of her that made my jaw drop. Wow, this might be the best kept secret I've come across yet. I knew this road would lead to a dirt road which would get me close to the peak. I was expecting this task to be the hardest part of the day, but there are not too many dirt roads and the one I picked zigged and zagged, got rocky, offered great views and led me right near the base of the Southern Cross Mine where I would start the hike on the northern side of the mountain.
I got into the nearest drainage to head up which took my right by an abandoned mine shaft and some old wooden device I've never seen before. Yeah you like my mining lingo? Out of the drainage and onto a steep scree slope to gain the ridge. The towering northern side of the mountain was beautiful as I approached. I couldn't resist going to the base of it and looking up, and I couldn't wait to get to the top of it to get to the edge and look straight down. Once I gained the rocky ridge I noticed the great cholla filled ramp that would lead me up. The only problem was the wind was gusting and every cholla plant was swaying back and forth with a few barbs flying away. I shook my head because this could have been the first time I was actually attacked by "flying cactus". Making my way through this mine field I was able to avoid anything sticking into my flesh and got to the drop off I wanted to look down. WOW! I turn and see the last stretch to the summit and enjoyed hiking near the edge to give me that adrenaline rush of exposure.
All of a sudden I see a hole right in front of me in the rock, WTF is that. I step near it and see the edge of this mountain has collapsed in and left an arch in the rock on the ridge with the middle part gone like a manhole leading to the sewer, only this would lead you to a 800 foot drop or so. I step away and think to myself to take a few steps to my right and get away from this ridge and make it to the summit safely. With the wind gusting I make it to the top and I am rewarded with some great views of this amazing area. I always love going to an area and see about 20 more peaks that have to get done. If it only wasn't going to be 100 degrees soon. Oh well, gives me more reasons to come back.
On the way down I check out the other side of the mine as it offered a good loop for the day. Another wooden device and many roads leading each different way. An old foundation was also left to check out before heading back to the Jeep. Time to get to another part of this area. |
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