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| Big Casa Blanca-Cave Canyon Loop, AZ | | -
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| | Big Casa Blanca-Cave Canyon Loop, AZ | | | |
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Big Casa Blanca-Cave Canyon Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 18.72 Miles |
5,008 AEG |
| | Hiking | 18.72 Miles | 10 Hrs 24 Mns | | 2.10 mph |
| 5,008 ft AEG | 1 Hour 29 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | We drove up Friday night before the hike to car camp off Hwy 83 a mile or so on FS dirt road. Within 5 minutes of parking Border Patrol was there checking on us. He said sheriff saw a vehicle pull off the road and called it in thinking we might be a pickup vehicle for illegals. Told the BP we were car camping for the night and he left. At least we had great lighting show to enjoy some beverages.
Next morning we started at the Cave Canyon trailhead taking the Link trail over to AZT Santa Rita passage. From there followed AZT to junction with Walker Basin Trail which we ascended all the way to Super Trail. Kept an eye on the thunder clouds forming over Wrightson but they always moved off the top. We reached Baldy Saddle and headed up the final climb with the weather still cooperating. Once on top it was mostly clear while 4 thunderstorms raged around the peak so we had great break on top and even time for summit brew 
Headed back down from the summit and past Baldy Saddle on the Crest Trail towards Florida Saddle. Whereas all the other trails were in good condition this trail needed some work with over growth, dead fall, and fire damage. Once down off the upper section the trail goes out of the burn and is decent rest of the way. It finally rained some at the end after threatening all day but not bad with only light rain. With the recent summer rains most of the creeks and drainages had water. Cave, Big Casa Blanca and Gardner all had very strong flow so despite the hot humid conditions finding water was never an issue. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
columbine, lupine, fairy duster |
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Bear Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | pipe was dripping but the tank was full with clear water. However, just below the spring nearby Big Casa Blanca Creek was flowing nicely from recent summer rains | | _____________________
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