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| Canyoneering | 14.14 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 14.14 Miles | | | |
| 200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Another adventure into the always amazing Aravaipa Wilderness. This time from the East Entrance.
My #2 son and DarthStiller came along in my truck and we have some other friends that came in another.
I knew the day would be rainy, so I was expecting to get soaked. And, Mother Nature abided. It started raining about 10am and by 2pm, it really started pouring.
Chris took off and was trying to cover as much distance as possible. My son, Johnny and I, headed off to get to Horse Camp Canyon. We both hiked in last year on the first Saturday in December from the West Entrance to Horse Camp Canyon, so he's covered the entire length in the past two visits.
The colors were still going, but it looks like we missed the peak by a week or so. It's hard to guess when that will be. I got the permits back in September.
Other than our other friends who we parted ways with early on, we saw no other hikers all day. I think the rains scared most (sane) people off. Our friends ended up turning around after hitting the slot canyon close to the trailhead. They got out before it really started pouring.
We made it to our destination and had a little lunch and started back. The rains really picked up and we could see the water level of the creek going up. There were also a bunch of waterfalls that had appeared that were not there when we were hiking in.
I kept looking back for Chris, but I did not see him. I wasn't sure how far he wanted to go before he turned around. It was pushing 430pm-5pm and it would get dark soon. I kept thinking if Chris would make it back by then.
I was really running out of gas the last couple miles. Between my recent medical issues and my lack of serious hiking since the summer, I was pumpkin-dragging for sure. But, we made it back just fine. I was happy to see Chris was already there waiting. We must have passed each other while he was heading back. He was happy to see us as he was having visions of him hiking a couple miles up to the ranger station to report two missing dummies. No need for search and rescue, we all made it out.
The water was light at the start, but the creek was really going at the end. There was a huge waterfall about 50 yards from the parking area at the Turkey Creek/Aravaipa Creek confluence. (The creek was close to 1000 cfs the following day. That would have been a very different hike for sure)
The road going out was a mess as well. The creek crossings were ok, but the rain persisted, heavy at time, all the way home. It seems like we were on that muddy and slippery dirt road forever.
A memorable day in one of my favorite places for sure. It's been a long time since I have hike in non-stop rain. You get wet no matter what when you hike in here, so what's a little rain?
Thanks for coming Chris and sorry I made you wait for 40 minutes! ha ha |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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