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| Hiking | 5.90 Miles |
2,055 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.90 Miles | 20 Hrs | | 0.59 mph |
| 2,055 ft AEG | 10 Hrs Break | 30 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | | I decided 2 of the 3 biggest obstacles to summer hikes in Mazatzal Country could be avoided with proper planning so I decided to begin the hike late in the day to avoid problem #1 sun exposer and after a decent rainy season so far #2 obstacle averted. Hiking the canyon in the evening was great in shade most of the time. Of course that leaves you up the trail in the dark but the meteor shower is happening and there were several huge falling stars. Late evening was great with hardly a cloud in the sky. That would eventually change. Sleeping in my 1 person tent and with arm sticking out open door I thought I felt a rain drop around 3:00 AM but I thought, no go back to sleep but then I felt a few more and decided well thats probably about it. I was wrong. Within a few minutes I was scrambling around camp securing stuff that shouldn't get wet and jumping back in my water-resistant tent, weather report seemed to suggest no rain. Within no time the rain was pouring down with 30 to 40 MPH wind gusts. I broke out my umbrella and sat next to the door with one arm out trying to block the worst of it. Dog forced his way in the small tent with me. One arm holding an umbrella and the other arm holding up the tent for about an hour and a half while the seemingly hurricane force wind and rain pummeled my meager shelter. My left arm and left leg getting soaked I contemplated walking out at about 3:45 AM but no. It was too far and there are bears.. and lions waiting for sad wet hikers to stumble by. I decided to sit and wait knowing summer storms don't last more than 30 mins or so. This one lasted almost 2 hours but we survived. Once the rain and wind stopped about 5:00 AM we got up ate breakfast and continued on. Somehow I was able to keep my feet dry which is a miracle. It would be a miserable hike with soaking wet boots and socks. We continued up towards Mazatzal Peak. I would like to find a nice campsite like those that existed, pre 2004 fire, up a little from the trail. After ending uphill at about 6400 ft we turned around to head back. I would like to have visited Castersen Seep/Spring as I'm sure its running strong but the turn off is no longer signed or marked and I had no map and running low on time we headed back. Stopped again at the falls to refill our water. Met another HAZ member while there. Positive meeting for sure. Overall a great overnight in the Maztazals. No lion screams this time. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Route Editor
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