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| Hiking | 4.23 Miles |
1,313 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.23 Miles | 4 Hrs 46 Mns | | 1.94 mph |
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| 1,313 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 35 Mns Break | | |
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| no partners | | Dugan triangulation station is located southwest of the confluence of Red Creek and the Verde River, and about 5 miles north of Sheep Bridge. The benchmark is located on the highest and middle peak of three peaks that make up a small ‘no-name’ mountain range. The benchmark is named after a now non-existent Dugan Ranch. My hike started near the ranch ruins, off FR18.
I hiked up to locate the benchmark (obviously), but my main intent was to take in the views of the surrounding area from a high vantage point. I wasn’t disappointed. I had impressive views in all directions, including the Mazatzal Wilderness to the east, East Cedar and West Cedar Mountains to the west, Tangle Peak to the south and the Verde River winding its way to Horseshoe Reservoir. (Horseshoe was also in sight).
Plus, I had an excellent view down to the Red Creek Forestry airstrip. A plane was parked there in the morning, along with a setup tent. By the time I left the mountain early afternoon, the plane (and tent) were gone. The plane was a STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) taildragger.
On takeoff, the STOL aircraft leaped into the air very quickly, using only a small portion of the short 1,480 foot strip. What a great way to go camping.
All three peaks have their own ridgeline going up toward the east, and I chose to go up the southern most ridgeline. From Google Earth, I could see a possible ruin or two on that southern ridgeline. My guess was correct. I located two small ruins, side-by-side, half way up that long ridgeline. The one-time occupants had great views from there. (If they even cared about views).
I located the Dugan benchmark and its two reference marks on the middle peak, then used the middle ridgeline for my return to the west. Once off the middle ridge, I located the Dugan Azimuth Mark. Azimuth marks are usually a challenge, but this one was an easy find. Maybe I’m getting better at it.
It was a long drive, on slow going dirt roads, to get to my ‘trailhead’, but well worth the effort. I now have at least two more hikes to do ‘up north’, since I had so much fun on this hike.
I envision a few more car washes after the future, dusty drives up FR24 and FR269 |
| Meteorology | Meteorology Moon |
| _____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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