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| Backpack | 18.25 Miles |
2,810 AEG |
| | Backpack | 18.25 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 2,810 ft AEG | | 37 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | I have hiked the entire length of the Dutchman probably 3-4 times over but have never done the whole thing in one shot. I thought this would be a good 'feather in the cap' type hike for the boy and myself. J+J, 2 teen boys, the Lunatic, and myself dropped off a vehicle at First Water at 6AM and not a minute to soon because the lot was PACKED. Surprisingly only a handful of cars at Peralta TH. Began right about sunrise and made it to the base of Miner's Needle in an hour. The boys thought the eye of the needle was cool. Just past the saddle is the burn area. It lasted to just before Bluff Springs. It was not a big area, but there was nothing that was not scorched. Water from Bluff Spring smelled sulfuric and tasted awful, so we passed and filtered from the next creek. There was a small creek every 500 yards or so, so we were never worried about water the entire hike. The preemo spot at Oak Spring was a rest stop of sorts as 3 different groups stopped and rested at the same time. Made camp at my favorite spot near Charliebois. The boys still had enough energy and were brave enough to jump in the largest pool for a while. We also had to go to the Master Map and get those clues! Had an owl hooting all night. All Night. Broke camp about 9:30AM and started on that easy going, flat, sandy section of the hike toward Marsh Valley. A lot of people in this area camping. Water everywhere. After reading ‘The Killer Mountains' last year, the conversation on the hike around Bluff Springs Mountain was full of folklore, legends, and the repeated question of where exactly Mr. Ruth's head was found. Lunch was at the West Boulder crossing and once again shared the spot with several other groups in the grass along the bank of the creek. We pick good break spots. Proud of the boys because they kept a great pace the whole trip. I could tell P really had a great time. More and more people playing in the water as we got closer to the TH. Made it to FW about 2:30PM. There were so many people, it looked like a holiday weekend on the rim. But who can blame 'em? You gotta get out here as often as you can this time of year. Happy I got to do the whole trail and happier I got to do it with my son.
**Grabs cap, Inserts feather** |
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| “There is nothing that exists outside the thought of the immediate moment.” |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
