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| Peralta - Cave - Bluff Loop, AZ | |
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| | Peralta - Cave - Bluff Loop, AZ | | | |
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Peralta - Cave - Bluff Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 4.96 Miles |
1,611 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.96 Miles | 2 Hrs 34 Mns | | 2.31 mph |
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| 1,611 ft AEG | 25 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | This loop is a much preferable way to tackle Peralta to Fremont rather than a straight up and down. While feeling accomplished afterwards, looking at the vastness of the Superstitions trail map at the trail head made our efforts seem slightly diminished. Lots of exploring left to do.
1. Peralta to Fremont was a gradual climb up and up. The sun baked us with our late morning start, although the sheer number of elderly hikers and football sized furballs provided encouragement that we may have overestimated the challenge of the first portion of Peralta's. (Admittedly we thought it was longer than 2.2 to the saddle, so we were pleasantly surprised to arrive.) The saddle views to the north, east and west offered some of the first totally uninhibited views we've seen in the Valley.
Desolation, check. Amazing rock stratigraphy, check. Weather, on it. And wildflowers...more to that later.
2. While I'd estimate we crossed paths with 50+ hikers on Peralta, as soon as we beared right for the Cave Trail our hiking compatriots soon disappeared. Actually, I pitied everyone else on the trail that didn't explore further at the saddle - the views only improved heading eastbound. The first mile or so placed us directly along the ridgeline and exposed (granite?) slabs that offered off-trail hiking that bordered bouldering at times, and a mix up from the previous trail experience. The ruggedness of the trail increased with greater elevation changes, including some steeper bowls that I could have just rolled down. Kudos to those who created the cairns for trail marking.
The wildflowers on Cave are in full bloom. Tons of southwestern exposure. A few larger California poppies added nicely to the mix.
3. Wrapped up with a quick downhill on Bluff back to the parking lot.
While everyone heads for Peralta, Cave stole the show. Must do loop. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Tons on Cave Trail - Nothing on Peralta. California poppies, chuparosa, desert sunflowers, emory's rock daisy, orange globemallows. |
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| _____________________
Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
Evan Hardin
Footloose adventures are documented instagram @afrankie8. |
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