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| Long Benchmark with Views, AZ | |
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| | Long Benchmark with Views, AZ | | | |
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Long Benchmark with Views, AZ
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| Hiking | 3.24 Miles |
821 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.24 Miles | 4 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.89 mph |
| 821 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 37 Mns Break | | | |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I had to modify my hike quite a bit due to slow roads and the threat of rain.
My grandiose plan was to make three stops, to locate three different "items in the ground".
As it turned out, I only made one stop and shortened that journey quite a bit.
I drove north on Seven Springs Rd/FR 24 to its end. Then I drove another 20 miles north, on mountainous, and seldom used FR 16A.
I have driven FR 24 over a dozen times, and this time, I was disappointed with its condition. Once past The Fifty-One Ranch (past E & W Cedar Mtns area), FR 24 turns into a wash-board, and small boulder-outcrop road base. Much different since a few years ago.
Yes, even a sedan can make it to the end of FR 24, but you may need a new chassis, springs & shocks.
Ironically, on the drive back south, two road graders were working on FR 24 - Good.
FR 16A was new to me. FR 16A is high clearance 4WD, unless you only go a few miles. I went north 20 miles on it and had no trouble, except slowness. It's a one lane mountain road that, as it works north, goes up and down mountain sides, and in and out of valleys. Beautiful country out there, but just slow going.
HA - I had to laugh - In order to go north, FR 16A literally has to go N, S, E and West.
It's Not a road you want to drive in rain.
After my hike, FR 16A was also getting groomed by two road graders, but only in specific areas.
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I hiked to locate Long Benchmark. It's on the high-point of a N-S ridgeline that overlooks the Verde River to the east. Long BM is 13 miles north of Sheep Bridge.
To get to the Long Benchmark ridgeline, I hiked across a natural, earth bridge, to alleviate going down a deep valley.
The drop-off on the east side of the Long BM ridgeline, is a steep 2,500 foot drop in elevation to the Verde River, making the easterly views panoramic. Heck, I had panoramic views in all directions.
To the west, I had great views of Turret Pk and Rugged Mesa, 9 miles away.
Hiking down to the Verde River from this ridgeline is doable, but would be arduous. I mention this because I need Hansenaz et al, to tell me if I located a ruin (or look-out) on that ridgeline.
After locating Long BM, I took a stroll south on the narrow ridgeline, until it got so plant congested, I had to turn back. Rain from the NW was threatening also, and FR 16A is not a road I'd drive when it's wet. Very steep grades, on a boulder-outcrop road, next to 200 FT drop-offs, ain't for me.
Although the 3 and 1/2 hour slow drive each way, was longer (time wise) than I anticipated, I still call the hike a positive, as the views on the hike and from the car, were great.
Oh - And I located Long Benchmark also.  |
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Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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