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| Hiking | 8.60 Miles |
1,137 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.60 Miles | 5 Hrs 28 Mns | | 2.28 mph |
| 1,137 ft AEG | 1 Hour 42 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | In the beginning, I didn't plan to hike up Union Peak. The intent was to head east down to Cave Creek Dam off the Cactus Wren Tr, then turn north to a spot along Apache Wash below another dam. But being the rule-abiding hiker I usually am, I turned around at a No Trespassing sign as I came into what I'll call the Cave Creek Valley. The sign was about a half mile from the dam. It would have been ideal if the Sonoran Preserve folks had placed a caution sign at the turn-off or at least in the saddle. Apache Wash would have to wait for a better route.
Plan B was to reach the summit of Union Peak, a nice consolation prize. Had lunch in a semi-shaded gully at the jct of the Cactus Wren and Great Horned Owl Tr (GO). I welcomed the gentle breeze. I trudged up the fairly steep GO for a half-mile to the Union Peak Tr (UP) turn-off. It was at that point, I met Widowmaker coming down with his dog Rowdy. I had never run into him before but should've recognized Rowdy who is always featured in his triplog photos. We talked a few minutes about cameras and moved on.
On the summit, I saw no one. It was disappointing not to find the summit log that was up there on previous hikes. The large fire pit seemed like it had been used recently but everything else was as remembered.
Aggravation set in on my way back to the Desert View TH. I'd gotten down the GO trail quite a ways when I discovered my pedometer was missing from my belt. I remembered the place where I'd slipped on loose gravel and fell on my butt. Perhaps it was there, I thought. Disgusted I retraced my steps up a now-excruciating trail .37 miles. I found the spot going up but no pedometer. Dejected I turned around. I wasn't going back up to the summit to look for it. Passing the spot again where I slipped, there it was, the pedometer off-trail but clearly visible. And still in good working order. Even though the search added 3/4 of a mile to the hike, it was worth it.
Got back at the TH in darkness, about 50 minutes after a beautiful sunset. My failed Apace Wash excursion and retracing my steps for the pedometer should explain the added mileage and AEG above. Hiking in the southeast part of the park is a lonely under-taking. Saw only Widowmaker and two bikers once I left the Valle Verde Tr, constituting most of the afternoon. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
