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| Sears In the Mazatzals, AZ | |
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| | Sears In the Mazatzals, AZ | | | |
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Sears In the Mazatzals, AZ
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| Hiking | 14.35 Miles |
1,968 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.35 Miles | 7 Hrs 56 Mns | | 2.72 mph |
| 1,968 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 39 Mns Break | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | This will be my last Arizona hike for awhile, so I chose a nice long one. (long for me, anyway).
I started out at the Horseshoe Dam and proceeded down FS479 to FS477, with my destination being Sears Triangulation Station, far to the east of Horseshoe Reservoir.
FS477, going through Davenport Wash, is a bit of a comedy, as there are many ‘tracks’ to choose from, in order to get on the other side of the wash. There are occasional “477” signs in the wash, but it’s still a ‘hunt-and-peck’ situation.
Once on the east side of Davenport Wash, FS477 is well defined. Very rocky in spots but overall not a bad trail/road.
I proceeded east on the trail/road for awhile, then took a shortcut that actually use to be a road. The shortcut knocked 1/2 mile off the entire hike distance and was easy to follow, although very overgrown. I passed a couple corrals on the way east, then proceeded to ‘Trail Springs’. There are some huge trees at Trail Springs, making it stand out from afar. Your eyes note the difference in vegetation right away.
From the springs, I went off trail, up a couple bumps and located the remote little disk.
This area must not get many visitors now. However, years ago, cattle must have been roaming all over, as there are still some very nice corrals near Trail Springs. No cattle now, and no ‘cattle scat’ or other animal tracks (or scat) anywhere to be seen.
Just the lonely little benchmark disk and me.
This was one of my longest hikes in awhile, and I somehow chose a windless, 97 degree day to do this ‘shadeless’ hike. What was I thinking? Plenty of water and a big hat saved the day.
Except for the last few miles of boring FS479, (back to the dam), this hike was a good one.
The Mazatzals never disappoint me. |
| _____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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