| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 15.00 Miles |
|
| | Hiking | 15.00 Miles | 11 Hrs | | 1.36 mph |
| | | |
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | The mission was to explore the upper sections of Hardscrabble Creek, down to its confluence with Fossil Creek. I started on the top of Hardscrabble Mesa, a few miles south of Strawberry, at 10 AM. Dense scrub oak/manzanita thickets line the upper canyon, so I had to follow a steep wash to reach the canyon floor.
The creek was flowing and full of life. I saw a ring tailed cat, deer, fish, snakes, and birds. The mixed forest at the creek's edge kept me in the shade for most of the trip, which tempered the record-book high temperatures for the day. When things get too hot, one can take a swim in the many pools that line the creek.
The creek is very rocky the whole way, with larger boulders and drops in the lower sections. It is an ankle and knee killer for those with heavy packs on. I took a light, daypack on this trip, which helped my mobility immensely. Hopping boulders for miles on end is tiring, and I started feeling the burn about two miles above Fossil Creek.
That is where the best pools and falls are located, and there might be better ones further down stream. Two of the pools were deep enough to cliff dive from, and about 40 feet long. The trees are not so big down there, but the pools are much better. Whereas, the upper section is just the opposite: good trees and no pools.
Waterfalls and drops make for difficult travel around the pink cliffs, so I went up along the east bank to investigate a ledge. Often, these will contain Indian artifacts and ruins. The area I speak of is roughly one mile north of Hells Hole, on the east side of the creek. I spent a half hour snooping around, but only found a few pottery chips.
Daylight was running out, so I worked my way to the top of Hardscrabble Mesa. The heat was oppressive, as were the bugs that accompanied me the remainder of the hike. Walking became much easier once I reached the top. I walked the last 4 miles in the dark, using one of those LED headlamps and a GPS.
Overall, Hardscrabble Creek was a fun trip. It is seldom hiked and very remote. |
| _____________________
| | comments disabled by a moderator | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
