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| Rugged Mesa - Turret Peak - Bishop Creek Loop, AZ | |
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| | Rugged Mesa - Turret Peak - Bishop Creek Loop, AZ | | | |
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Rugged Mesa - Turret Peak - Bishop Creek Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 11.80 Miles |
2,495 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.80 Miles | 9 Hrs 8 Mns | | 1.51 mph |
| 2,495 ft AEG | 1 Hour 20 Mns Break | 12 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | The AMC Eagle had perks in the area to knock off his wish list. Started about 7:40am in crisp yet warmer than average 40ish temps. The aroma of a nearby campfire tickled our senses. Short of a mile we turned off-trail for a mean beeline ascent up Rugged Mesa. The nippy chill was no match for this ascent so we retired the warm hats and secondary shirts.
Unfortunately neither of us came prepared for the villain of Autumn. Foxtails and other sharp seeds from the record summer rainfall wanted blood. Had we come prepared with gaiters this would have been enjoyable. Temps were perfect. Visibility was great. We had just enough knowledge to name off a few surrounding and distant peaks.
Contemplated Turret as the chaparral looked thick. More so as our feet were crying uncle. Already invested thus far we forged ahead. Dropped off the NE end of Rugged Mesa then ascended the SW side of Turret. Midway up it got steep. It also got interesting so our decision panned out. I took a stab at a direct assault up the SE corner while Bruce wrapped around the east. Made it up one class four pitch with another to go. I retreated as it felt like I was taking too long. The downside of that decision was having to hover over an agave midway on the wall. After some speed praying it worked out.
Turret is pretty cool up top with it's 360 degree perched views. Three FLIVER discs found up top. 2 referenced to the 1 peak. Heading up we had joked about wanting an army to come up and kill us so we would not have to tread anymore foxtails. Looking back the worst was on the west side of Rugged Mesa, most notably our initial ascent.
We dropped off the NW end of Rugged Mesa following nobert15's ( correction, Hansenaz's! ) track initially. Steep, slower than anticipated yet the worst of the day was well behind. We angled north to Bishop Creek as Buck Basin was our next perk.
Bishop Creek felt like a resort with virtually nothing to impede travel. The crunch of sycamore leaves and occasional turning cottonwoods dazzled us. Sandwiched between Turret and an unnamed high peak, 5650, directly above NW rounded out the welcome wagon.
Out of Bishop, up a tributary towards Buck Basin, got our attention. The geology of the creek had a little flair. Bypassed a dryfall then lunched before another. An enjoyable Autumn lunch with a nice breeze. Time got away from us so a return is in the cards. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Sycamores past. Cottonwoods just underway. |
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Bishop Creek - Near FR 1981 |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | Speaking to the two miles east of FR 1981. Shallow six inch clear pools up to twenty feet long on occasion. Barely flowing in one spot. Less desirable towards FR 1981, some stagnant, some with the oil layer on top. | | _____________________
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