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| Hiking | 12.57 Miles |
2,886 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.57 Miles | 4 Hrs 44 Mns | | 2.68 mph |
| 2,886 ft AEG | 3 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | Needed to get a fall foliage trip in before the season's over and I'd been wanting to check out the Galliuros for awhile, so this seemed like the day to do it. Left bright and early before 6am and got as far as I felt comfortable taking the Jeep 4 hours later, then went back down the road a bit to where I felt a rescue would be more doable if I needed one (there's no clear "end" to the road, seems like it just turns to trail over a 100 yard stretch...)
Jogged a little at the start, but kept having to stop to take pictures. The first section still had a bit of green, but by the time I got to the bend to the west, it was, as a friend said it, a "kaleidoscopic leaf tunnel." That last half mile or so to the random copse of aspens was amazing. The aspens themselves were yellowing nicely to add to the show.
Once onto the climb out of the canyon the views started opening up, and I was struck by the cool rock formations (fortunately not by any actual rocks). I also managed to get a cactus spine through my shoe, which is the first time I've ever managed to do this right after passing an aspen grove. What an amazing mix of microclimates this place has.
Bassett Peak trail was a bit more chunky and overgrown, with some eroded sections on the switchbacks up the north face of the summit. I didn't realize the trail doesn't actually go to the summit, and got to the saddle to the south before I realized that. I did poke around a little past the saddle because I was curious where the trail went, since it wasn't on the FS map. The bushwack up to the summit was easy.
The way down was fun, although I was a little achy, gotta start doing more of the mid-week stuff again. Probably took even more pictures on the way down; I think the lighting was a little better that point.
I don't know if the foliage has necessarily "peaked" yet, as there were still some stretches that were green or just starting to turn, but the upper section is definitely there, and some trees are shedding leaves. Probably couldn't go wrong visiting any time in the next week, but I don't know that I'd wait any longer than that. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
The last half mile or so before the aspens is putting on a show. |
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Upper Ash Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Steady thin stream coming out of the pipe, and another seep below the spring box. | | _____________________
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