| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 10.40 Miles |
1,125 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.40 Miles | 5 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.98 mph |
| 1,125 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I wanted to hike in the Supes and thought it would be good to hit Black Mesa Loop.
I arrived at 530am and was greeted with an empty parking lot at the First Water Trailhead. I wanted to see if I could make it down to the Dutchman/Peralta junction area to see how bad the fire damage was down there. I made ok time, but I was feeling the heat and decided to turn around just before that. I should have just gone back the way I came, via the Dutchman, but I felt confident I could make just as good time going back up Black Mesa.
I was a slow mover going up the Black Mesa Trail. The heat slowed me down considerably. I am not much of a heat hiker, so lesson learned. I just took it easy and didn't rush. I came prepared with loads of water (too much, actually)
The trail itself needs some work. Lots of overgrown vegetation along the Dutchman up and over Parker Pass. Lots of grass, catclaw and those terrible thistle weeds (they are everywhere now). I could see the fire scars on the northside of the needle, but I did not make it far enough to see how bad it was around the base. When I checked out Peralta Trail to the saddle in late June before they closed the wilderness, I could see quite a bit of red slurry was dropped at the north end of the Peralta Trail. I am just happy that darn Sawtooth Fire didn't roast this area like it did Barkley Basin, the lower Dutchman, Bluff Springs, Barks and the upper Peralta Trail. These fires have been terrible the past two years. :-(
I saw one young fellow hiking in to do the Hackberry Loop, other than that, I saw no other humans. LOTS of bunnies, lizards, dove and quail. No snakes, but I did come across a beautiful mule deer doe heading down Black Mesa.(see video below) Such a treat!
[ youtube video ] |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
