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| Canyoneering | 12.00 Miles |
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| | Canyoneering | 12.00 Miles | 9 Hrs | | 1.41 mph |
| 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is the 5th of the past 7 years that I've visited Aravaipa/Turkey Creek area during the Thanksgiving weekend. I thoroughly enjoy hiking Aravaipa, its side canyons, and side canyons of the side canyons. So much to see, and still so much more to explore.
I started my day waking up at 3am. On the road at 3:45.
Arrived at the official th and signed the register at 7am.
Continued driving to parking area at Turkey Creek. Started hiking west down Aravaipa.
Hiked and explored for 3.5 miles before reversing course and heading back to Turkey Creek.
Lunch at the car around 1pm.
Drove further up Turkey Creek to dead end just before fork in road climbs out of the canyon to the right.
Hiked Turkey Creek and checked out two side canyons off Turkey. The first side canyon I explored came to a 15 foot dryfall. I climbed a dead tree that was wedged into the pothole below. Just above the dryfall was a grove of maples mixed in green and yellow leaves. This canyon split into two arms. First I followed the right arm until it became less interesting. Then, I turned back and tried the left arm. This arm led me to more maples that were mostly yellow, with one tall tree almost completely in red.
I made my way back out to Turkey and headed upstream towards the next side canyon. This side canyon consisted mostly of stone chutes and potholes. I followed this one all the way up and out the top. This is when I discovered the dark gray clouds and winds that were starting to drift in from the west.
I hustled back down towards Turkey and back to my vehicle. I arrived at the Tahoe later than planned. It was almost 5pm and I wanted to get out of Turkey Creek before darkness crept in. Its a rough road in spots and could be a little tricky to navigate in the dark. Plus, that threatening rainstorm probably wouldn't help much.
Felt good to be back on the Aravaipa Road heading towards Klondyke. It started to sprinkle on and off, but I was already out of the rough stuff and creek crossings. Continued on towards Klondyke Rd.
I heard a loud noise as I approached highway 70. Sounded like someone had just pelted the rear drivers side with a handful of gravel. But, I was in the middle of nowhere. I continued on. Nothing seemed to be wrong.
About 65 miles later as I drove through Globe, I heard a loud clunking noise and realized my left rear tire had just blown out. I could hear that I was on the rim. Pulled over just short of the light at 188 turnoff. Sure enough, not just a flat, but the tire looked like it had just exploded.
Threw on my headlamp, set up a safety strobe and started the tire change as it sprinkled. A couple Globe policemen showed up and provided extra roadside safety support. Back on the road at 8:10pm.
Then, it just started pouring almost immediately. The sky was so dark that I could not even see outlines of mountains. The lack of any light and hard rain made visibility pretty scarce. It rained my entire ride home. Arrived at the house around 9:30pm to wrap up an action packed 18 hour day. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Cottonwoods are looking pretty thin. Sycamores beautiful mix of color. Maples in Turkey Creek side canyons mixed. Many still green. Some solid yellow and came across one that was solid red. |
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| This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee. |
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