| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 3.10 Miles |
1,600 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.10 Miles | 3 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.33 mph |
| 1,600 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Nice cool day and the year's coming to an end. Haven't done much off trail hiking this year. Decided to combine some off trail with some geocaching and a little bush crafting to cover all my hobbies at one time. So off to Diamond Mountain I went.
I'd planned out some possible ways up and down, but as the old military saying goes, "no plan survives the first engagement." Mine didn't either, but not sure if the changes I made on the fly were better or worse than my plan. Either way, it is a haul up to the top of this mountain and there are lots of shin daggers and holly shrubs to make it even more interesting. Was in no hurry though, to I meandered a bit taking in what ever struck my fancy.
The two geocaches on the top were easy. I gathered some yucca stalks to try as a hand drill for making fire and some fronds the same plant to make some natural cordage.
Really great views from the summit. And excellent cell phone reception, too. Hung out at the top a while enjoying some snacks I brought along.
Came down using the route downloaded from HAZ. Man is that steep and overgrown. Kicked up a young doe on the way down. Lots of deer tracks all over the slopes of the mountain.
The cow trail was right where it should be at the bottom. Was nice walking on sort of decent ground and contouring. Enjoyed O'Neil Spring along the way back. The spring box was full of good water. Very nice little oasis with the sycamore trees. In the shade the shallow water was all ice. Gets cold at this elevation at night in the winter.
Fun hike, but reminded me why I like trails. |
| _____________________
All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
