| |
| Hieroglyphic Mtns - 3651 and 3392, AZ | | -
-
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
1 |
-
-
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
-
-
|
| | Hieroglyphic Mtns - 3651 and 3392, AZ | | | |
|
|
Hieroglyphic Mtns - 3651 and 3392, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 11.22 Miles |
2,588 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.22 Miles | 8 Hrs 46 Mns | | 1.51 mph |
| 2,588 ft AEG | 1 Hour 21 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Bruce put together some loop options incorporating two peaks we were both interested in hiking before temps get too warm. Karl and Kathy rounded out the foursome. We parked at Garfias Wash and got started right at 0715.
Garfias Wash is a fun easy walk. Nice rock formations and very little vegetation. Shade the entire way due to the early hour. Once at Hell Canyon, we stopped at the little cave where I tried to turn my kids into a mountain lion’s next meal. Wandered down the canyon a little more, where there were some pools of water. Unfortunately, cattle have overrun the area.
After that, we headed south in what I think was Horse Creek. Again, easy wash walking, with some rocks to negotiate in a few places. At Horse Spring, we headed up a ridge south towards 3651. Steep, and brushy in places. Took a quick break in the shade of a small alcove before continuing up the ridge. Getting around 3397 was a little tricky, and slow going. I made a comment about this being the week of the year I usually start seeing snakes. Once on the south side of 3397, we arrived at a saddle between 3397 and 3651. From the saddle, the rest of the ridge walk to 3651 was reasonably easy, with occasional cairns. My guess is there’s a route from the west that leads to that saddle then up; if I were to hike 3651 again, I’d attempt it that way.
After a break up top, we headed back off the ridge, then steeply down the east slope. In hindsight, we should have gone back to the saddle, then east, which would have given us a less steep descent, but we survived. We found the trail at the bottom of the east side and followed it around towards 3392.
Again, a steep offtrail ascent up towards the ridge, then southwest on the ridge. Steep and loose, but the rock formations were neat. The final twenty feet or so up to the summit was a scramble. The rock was solid and stable, but you definitely have to use your hands. Quick break up top before descending off the north side of the peak. We followed the ridge down, the veered to the northwest. It was a good descent considering the steepness, and would be the route I would use if ever heading to this peak again. Taking this route and doing a trio of 3392, Mill, and Pikes would be fun.
Once at the bottom, we jumped back on the trail and took it northwest to the Burro Flats trailhead. Whoever built the cairns along this route was a firm believer in large cairns using all the available nearby rocks so it was fairly easy to stay on track even when the trail faded. Once at the road, it was a quick two mile road walk back to Garfias Wash and our vehicle. Saw one harmless snake on the road. Warm after the breeze died down and I used a full three liters of water for the day, although I carried four. Having a trekking pole was very helpful on the offtrail descents. Fun day, with a nice sampling of Hell’s Canyon Wilderness. Good to see Kathy again, and fun to hike with Bruce and Karl two weekends in a row. |
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 