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| Mesquite Flat - FR1827, AZ | |
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| | Mesquite Flat - FR1827, AZ | | | |
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Mesquite Flat - FR1827, AZ
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| Hiking | 3.50 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 3.50 Miles | 2 Hrs 45 Mns | | 1.56 mph |
| 30 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | In the past, I had hiked part of the Mesquite Flat area south of AZ88 near MM214-215. That was back in 2019, when AZ88 was closed just past the town of Tortilla Flat, due to the Woodbury Fire.
Since then, a hiking friend, Joe, his dog Beau, and I hiked the wash south of an old road. We reached the "Big Boulder" build-up and turned back.
In December 2021, I went back a couple of times to hike part of the ridgeline above the wash.
Fast forward to Feb. 18 and 19, 2022. I intended to find a route that would provide a view of the Salt River. Forest Road 1827 seemed to be my ticket to success. This was on the northside of AZ88.
Before hiking that road, I hiked an unmarked side road up to a steep inclined trail up a hill to about elevation 2275. I noticed what seemed to be a dam and retention pool to the north. I hiked back down and took FR1827 north to that dam. Time was a factor, so I turned back at the dam.
The next day, February 19, I returned with the intention of hiking farther north from the dam. As I was hiking the road I met Irv with his 4WHC vehicle. With his binoculars, he was scouting for wildlife. He related to me the sad news that viewing the river would require bushwhacking past the end of the dirt road; 2-4 miles. I bid him farewell and continued towards the dam; my turnback point from the previous day.
As the road reached a high point on the ridge, I stopped for a view. At this point I realized the tough pathway ahead. I had not yet reached the road's end and there were layers of ridgelines yet to be crossed. I turned back from the ridgeline where a 4-wheeler was parked. I saw no one. They had gotten an earlier start than I.
I "will" return for another try. perhaps it will be Joe, Beau, and me. |
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