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| Hiking | 13.11 Miles |
3,075 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.11 Miles | 7 Hrs 22 Mns | | 1.83 mph |
| 3,075 ft AEG | 12 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I was originally planning to hike another section of the BCT, but with the weather forecast, I decided to stay off I-17. I heard 3rd hand that there were some traffic issues that day, so it looks like I made the right decision. the Supes have been my go to backup hike for bad weather, so I decided to try the Ely Anderson Trail, which I hiked probably close to 15 years ago.
Got to the Peralta TH after 6am, to a lot that was already half full. Headed up Cardiac Hill to do the Miner's loop counterclockwise. The clouds and low cloud ceiling made for some dramatic views at times, and just a lot of haze at other times. Getting good pictures was hit and miss with the subdued lighting. Still managed to get some nice shots. I've been starting my winter hikes this year with my gloves on, which I normally take off after a mere 20 minutes. Today I would keep them on for most of the hike.
Started heading up Ely Anderson and almost immediately had the idea to bail on that portion of the hike since it was obvious that it was very faint and hard to follow. I almost immediately was off track. Once I got on the trail, it was easy enough to follow, but not so much easier than bushwhacking on the hillside that has most of the vegetation burnt away.
About half way up the wind picked up and a graupel squall hit. It immediately started to accumulate. I was worried about traction and slipping with the bare rock section I was hiking on, but thankfully that wasn't an issue. It almost as quickly started to melt as the temps weren't quite that cold to keep the snow there.
by the time I got to the top, I was fully in the clouds. Visibilty was hampered not only by that, but by my glasses fogging up as well. the last time I dealt with these kinds of conditions was in Serbia 3 years ago on Suva Planina. I could make out a hazy horizon at times, so I would hike to what looked like the high point. Then I would check my GPS track and find I had wondered off track substantially. I zig zagged my way back and forth on and off track like Mr. Magoo until I finally got to the peak. My Magoo imitation was complete with me muttering to myself at going the wrong way all the time. Found a game camera mounted on some kind of stake. the amount of deer scat up there was crazy. I can see how the miners and ranchers used this area for grazing. Still didn't see any actual deer, though. At one point the wind picked up and it was cold enough for my fingers to feel numb, a rarity in the western Supes. I was wearing an extra sweatshirt that I earlier had second thoughts about, but at this point I was glad I had it. Once I got to the top, the clouds were still in full force.
The way down was much easier in terms of keeping on track. Looking down at where you're heading makes things easier to navigate. I still had to stop a few times to check the track, but i was able to know when to do that and stay on track rather than check after I was 1000' off track. Once I got back on the Ely Anderson, I looked back and saw that the clouds had cleared the peak and Weaver's Needle. Murphy's Law was in full force.
Got back on the main trail and finished the Miner's Loop back to Peralta TH. Traffic wasn't too bad. the clouds started to clear a little towards the end, but not too much. Just enough to create dramatic scenery with wispy fog and spotty sunlight on the hillsides. |
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