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| Hiking | 5.50 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 5.50 Miles | 5 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.20 mph |
| 40 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | After recent rains I decided to take a morning hike towards the Massacre Grounds area. The First Water Road was in poor shape in several of the wash crossings. At the trailhead I hiked the Dutchman's Trail to the first wash and began hiking south. This was the West Fork of the First Water Creek. After a short while I passed the descent route of the First Water Mini-Ridgeline. I had hiked it a couple of times in past years.
I encountered flowing water and several pools as the wash twisted and turned. At one point I exited the wash for a change of pace and found a cairn; evidence that other(s) had been there. Eventually, the terrain opened to allow a glimpse of the Flatiron area.
After a couple of hours, the terrain widened some more. there were two ridges of hills, one to the west and one to the east. The wash continued through the valley between. I decided to explore the hillside to the east for a while. I was getting closer to the Superstition Ridgeline. At a higher vantage point, I got my first glimpse of the massacre grounds plateau. What a view!
I crossed the wash and took a break below the saddle along the west ridge. Upon reaching the saddle I had another view of the massacre grounds area. Time and rising temperatures helped convince me that this would be my point of return.
I began a bushwhack in the general direction towards the Jacob's Crosscut Trailhead. That was NOT my destination. I knew there was a trial leading to a fence somewhere ahead. Once there, I would bushwhack northeast towards the Horse Trailer Parking Lot and connect with the Dutchman's Trail. That trail led to the F.W. Trailhead, completing the loop hike.
As I finished the hike there were two rangers present. They had driven the road to take photos of the recent storm damage and alert their crew as to necessary debris removal and road repair. I had taken a couple of photos myself
When the temperatures cool I may be able to finish what I started. |
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