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| Hiking | 8.20 Miles |
1,118 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.20 Miles | 4 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.01 mph |
| 1,118 ft AEG | 45 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Our group of four 50+ year old males began our adventure from Apache Junction at 6:15 A.M. By 7:30 A.M. we had reached the Rogers Trough Trailhead. The 18+ miles of single lane dirt road was heart pumping. Some of us headed for the nearest bush, our stomachs having been churned from riding through dips, curves, and ruts. Our driver was excellent. No mishaps! We only saw one parked vehicle parked midway along the dirt road.
The drive afforded spectacular views, wetting our appetite for the hike.
This hike was new to me. I had read the Hike AZ detail, triplogs, and maps to prepare myself. After a short decompression from the drive we were ready to begin. It had rained a little the night before making the trail softer, but grass and bushes damp. I should have worn long pants.
Just like the description fortold, the trail descends from a trailhead elevation of 4,750 feet. The hill to the right showed signs of a mine or cave. For the next quarter mile or so the trail descends an elevation of about 200 feet, significant for the return hike.
The shaded hike down was pleasant, morning temperature cool. Much of the hike down involved crossing or following the wash. After hiking about a mile and a half and hiking down a lane of spectacular Manzanita trees, we reached the junction with the Reavis trail. It went right, we went left.
The view ahead showed a bald faced stone formation and were informed that the Salado dwellings were near that structure. Along the way views on both sides provided photo opportunities of rock formations and distant caves, mines, or perhaps dwellings. Our hike would take us to the more accessible lower dwellings, which we reached in little more than an hour. The many photo opportunities and trail talk slowed our progress. I surmise that the hike down could be done in one and a quarter hours.
Arriving at the dwellings we were confronted with a bit of a sharp incline to reach the description sign at the base of the dwellings. As a side note, I had taken a drive to the Roosevelt Lake area, where there were also dwellings of the Salado Indians, very cool.
Accessing the cave required a short ledge scramble. Get a strong handhold. After that is a rounding boulder which needs to be climbed. Careful hand and foot holds are necessary. On the way down I had a fellow hiker act as spotter for this 69 year old. I had to jump a short distance and needed someone to steady my landing. Oh, to be young again.
Saddly, the dwellings condition has deteriorated from that seen in photos of years gone by. But the engineering is remarkable considering these were built 600 years ago. There is much to see inside and out. Allow your mind to envision those inhabitants of long ago - their struggles for survival against the elements, enemies, animals, and perhaps each other.
After exploring, photographing, eating, and resting we made our way back, without incident, the way we came. It actually took us less time even though I had to stop and rest a couple of times, especially at the sharper incline near the end.
The dirt road drive back provided views and points of interest, one of which deserves note. "Backseat" Bob noticed something on the hill to his right. The car was stopped. We got out. All looked up at the hill. Mark set the telescopic lens of his camera to take a remarkable photo of a magnificent creature - a huge brown and white Hawk. It was perched on a boulder. Before I could get my camera out,it spread its mighty wings to soar upward and out of sight. Icing on the cake for a memorable hiking adventure.
Special thanks to my hiking companions, the driver Mark, Bob, and Mike, whom I nicknamed "Magnetic" Mike, for his affinity to attract "catclaw". His shortsleeved arms were bloody from the encounters. Like I always say, it's not a wilderness hike unless you draw blood.4 |
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