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| Hiking | 20.21 Miles |
2,518 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.21 Miles | 7 Hrs 36 Mns | | 2.87 mph |
| 2,518 ft AEG | 34 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I thought I was getting an early start--arriving at the Peralta Trailhead 45 minutes before sunrise, but by the time I got within a mile of the TH, I was in a line of 4-5 cars with the same idea. I guess it is prime hiking season in the Supes, so not too surprising.
I figured that since I wasn't headed up the popular Peralta Trail, I'd get to some solitude quickly. I was almost right.
Once I hit the trail and headed off on Dutchman, I figured the trail would be mine. But, after a bit I looked back and saw that I had a tail. Another solo hiker that was not too far behind me. I was the faster hiker and put some distance between us on, but I also stop and take a lot of photos, so he would periodically close the gap. Whenever we'd reach a trail junction, I hoped he wouldn't turn my way, but he was on the same itinerary, until I finally shook him at the Whiskey Springs Junction. :-)
About 2 miles in on the Dutchman, the burn zone comes in heavy. Lots of devastation in this area, with plenty of saguaros in various stages of becoming skeletons.
The burn scar was ameliorated to some degree by the sunrise, which splashed color onto the mountains and created some fun shadows and photo opportunities along the Coffee Flat section (and elsewhere along the loop).
Miner's Needle is an impressive formation. As this was my first time hiking in this area, I enjoyed viewing it from various angles.
At the Whiskey Springs junction, I was finally on my own. As the trail dropped down into Upper LaBarge, there was some significant erosion and the route finding started to become a little more necessary.
The route continued to deteriorate in the bottom of the drainage and on through the Red Tanks portion of the trail, with a lot of incredibly pokey and barbed foliage reaching out and stabbing, scraping and raking across my shins, shirt and hands. It was helpful to have the GPS track downloaded for this section (though the drainage itself generally prevents the prospect of getting too turned around).
At the Red Tanks junction, I decided to head east for a bit and explore the Upper LaBarge area. Some cool formations and a couple of nice campsites up that way, but not a lot of water.
Returning to the junction, I continued up LaBarge on Red Tanks, and came to the first real oasis of the day--LaBarge Spring, which was flowing nicely and had clearly done a good job of growing cottonwoods and other strong plant life in the vicinity.
Shortly beyond LaBarge, I met three backpackers going in the opposite direction. They were down from Flagstaff and camped near Charlebois Spring and were on a dayhike/explore. After a brief chat, we parted ways, and I continued up to Charlebois.
Along the way, there is a nice, canopy-covered camp spot near Oak Spring. I didn't search out Oak Spring itself, so not sure if there is convenient water, but LaBarge Spring is relatively close.
Arriving at Charlebois, I found another set of 3 backpackers taking up residence at the prime camp spot just shy of the spring. They were up from Tucson, and we swapped a few hiking notes before I headed to the spring itself--which is more like a nice-sized pond, with the prodigious roots of a large cottonwood tree forming an natural dam. The pool was a good 2-3 feet deep and 10-feet in diameter. On a hot day, it would be a tempting to take a dip!
I stopped for lunch at the pool and just enjoyed the surroundings.
After lunch, I backtracked and stayed on Dutchman until it intersected with the Bluff Springs trail. Somewhere in this area, I came across a group of 12 or so backpackers headed to Charlebois. I told them that the prime spot was taken (and was too small for their group anyway), and suggested some alternatives.
I wished I had done this loop before the 57-arm saguaro met its demise, but I did manage to see a couple of other impressive saguaros on the day.
Stopped and checked out Peralta Rock, and made the short side trip to the impressive overlook into Bark's Canyon and over toe Weaver's Needle along the Bluff Springs trail.
Arrived back at Peralta TH, which remained busy but there was parking to be had.
A very enjoyable loop, though next time, I'll wear long pants, or pack a couple of soccer shinguards ;-) |
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