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| In Search of Overlook Arch, AZ | |
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| | In Search of Overlook Arch, AZ | | | |
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In Search of Overlook Arch, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.50 Miles |
2,238 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.50 Miles | 5 Hrs 56 Mns | | 1.13 mph |
| 2,238 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | After spotting a possible ascent route near where I encountered the herd of horses and the bighorn sheep last week I figured it may be the shortest route to Overlook Arch. (Last year we attempted to locate the arch on our hike to Panorama Peak but it was just too much to tack on)
As Ray surmised in his comment on Photo #14, yes, the route was full of veggies... and plenty of the thorny variety along with some steep and loose terrain so needless to say, it was very slow going. When I finally reached the saddle I popped into bright sunlight. Now just over a mile (by direct line) from where the arch was supposed to be, I figured I knock this one out pretty quickly.
No such luck... although the eastern slope was more conducive to an easier descent, it had plenty of loose, pebble-sized stones so it took more time than expected. Once in the wash things looked a bit better... for about a hundred yards, at which point it turned into a mass of thick and thorny vegetation. I backed out and climbed the slope on my left to avoid the worst of it for another hundred yards, where it became passable again.
Although enough water flow had pushed back much of the vegetation, it was still a workout with all the boulder-hopping and climbing to avoid the almost continual pour-offs. I got so engrossed in route finding I ended up going well past where I expected to find the arch. As I was scanning the terrain all around me I spotted what appeared to be an arch on the opposite side of the wash from where I expected to find Overlook Arch. But since I am not positive the coordinates I had are correct, I figured I better check this one out. Alas, after climbing a hundred feet or so, I found it to be a cave.
Now since I'm that far above the canyon floor I scanned the slope above the other side of the canyon for Overlook Arch. Nada! Ok, back to the canyon floor and begin an ascent up the other side. Climbing a few pour-offs took plenty of energy that could have been better used to fend off the thorny thickets. Eventually I made it past both series of obstacles and came out about 100 feet above the arch coordinates. I was able to drop down within 50 feet but still found no arch.
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
To get any closer I'd have to drop through an area I doubted I could get back up, and I knew just below was a 50-foot drop-off so I wasn't about to chance it. So I retraced my route back to the canyon floor then climbed back up the other side and traversed a few hundred yards hoping to see the arch. Still nothing. Oh well, with all the extra efforts I'm now out of water, so with an estimated 90 minutes to reach the Jeep, it was time to head back ASAP.
I tried a number of shortcuts but with half failing and half saving time & effort, in the end it made no difference. But once back up to the saddle I had a known good descent route on the western slope so I felt better already. (And I was in the shade again)
About a third of the way down I took a short side trip along the base of some cliffs where there was a runway of what I can only assume is used by a mountain lion. Although the scat was not fresh, it definitely was large cat. I suppose it preys on the bighorn sheep and deer around these parts. (And maybe even the horses??)
Whatever, it's time to wrap up this hike. Although I did know the route, the descent wasn't a walk in the park by any means. If I didn't have my hiking poles to help keep me from sliding on the loose pebble-rock I'm sure I'd have a few bruises and maybe even some rash. But I did!
From there it was a matter of following the horse trails back to the Jeep. A pretty rough and tough hike, but the scenery made up for the effort. |
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