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| Hiking | 16.70 Miles |
2,490 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.70 Miles | 9 Hrs 37 Mns | | 1.94 mph |
| 2,490 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | We reached First Water Trailhead with just enough light to pack up easily and hit the trail. On the way to Bull Pass, we were surprised to find water flowing in so many washes. We stopped for a number of photos; somehow after being away from the Supers for any length of time, it’s always more beautiful than we remember, the features we love are special in new lighting, and the presence of water is always photo-worthy.
A splash of red on the trail captured my attention on Bull Pass. Along with it was what first looked like an embryo of some type. There was scat nearby and a second “embryo.” That one looked more like an intestinal organ. Either way, still trying to figure out why/how/if they passed through the digestive system…(Ideas?) Another find was a packaged rope, apparently dropped, found by someone else, and perched in a prominent location. Probably worth the climb up to retrieve it if it’s yours!
Continuing over the top of the pass, we were on a section of trail new to both of us. We headed toward Charlebois and the elusive Master Map and were surprised by the number of backpackers and large groups that we passed on this hike. We were surprised to find a number of pot shards as we approached the spring, too.
@John10s had failed to find the Master Map on his first try, last May, even though he learned later that he’d been very close. We'd read that it’s hard to find on the first attempt, and he joked that we weren't leaving the area until we found it. Since this was my first attempt, I suggested he go on without me as we neared the area! Within minutes of leaving the trail, he called out that he’d found it...whew! We wouldn’t be hiking out overnight  It was fun to take some time and examine the details of the map. There is a wooden sign near it, but it took a long time just discerning the last word, “petroglyphs.” We never did figure out the first word and wished we had paper and pencil or charcoal to try a quick rubbing. (Writing this, I realize that we actually might have come up with some charcoal from old burned areas.)
Next up was Charlebois Spring. Against all odds with the number of backpackers in the area, we had the beautiful spring to ourselves. We sat on the rocks above the spring, and something near or in the water joined in our conversation. In fact, it seemed to fill silences, unless I moved close to the water. Part of the time, a nearby bird began calling, We never did see either. You can hear both in this video [ youtube video ] . (The calls start at 00:14.) Sometimes it seemed there was more than one individual in the water. I’d love for someone to save me a lot of time and identify both species!
We left the spring, and within 50 yards met backpackers, as thrilled to learn that they had the place to themselves as we were to have experienced it (by a narrow margin, as it turns out). With a little extra time, @John10s suggested forgoing Bull Pass, which we’d both hiked several times, to hike around Black Top Mesa on Dutchman Trail--new ground for both of us. To hike right toward Weaver’s Needle, large and looming for quite some time, was already making this detour seem like a good choice. But before we’d finished, we stopped to examine and photograph caves/tunnels, several waterfalls, Aylor’s Arch from an angle new to us, and a crested saguaro that has to be unique even among the cresteds. This was a hike we’ll remember for its many magnificent views and features and one where everything came together unbelievably and exceedingly well. |
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