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| Hiking | 13.00 Miles |
2,650 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.00 Miles | 10 Hrs | | 1.30 mph |
| 2,650 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Headed out at 6:20 with Michael and Steve into the seldom traveled southern portion of the Four Peaks Wilderness. The morning weather was warmer than expected. Unfortunately I left my hiking pants in Tyler's 4runner last winter and we haven't crossed paths yet. The next quick option was my thermal pants for sub freezing off trail travel. This proved exhausting. I couldn't move freely as the crotch is cut low to allow them to be worn over jeans and such. Not to mention I felt like an easy bake oven on simmer with no vents. The good news being they plowed through catclaw effortlessly!
The sunrise flirted with our imagination before the light quickly turned to mortuary mode for the remainder of the hike. We did the posted hike to Brown's Cave. On route Michael found a ruin like Preston finds pottery. Instead of "you're stepping on it", it's "your starring at it". It was almost embarrassing as I've passed them twice in the past. He actually discovered them checking out a fold in the sandstone. It wasn't until the return trip we realized you can clearly see them from the trail. However they're only in view for about ten steps when you're concentrating on the rocks in the creek.
Next we headed down Alder Creek to the beach at Apache Lake in the Painted Cliffs. This is an interesting canyon with a slow running creek. The highlight of the trip was an unexpected 20 foot (give or take) waterfall in a gnarly sculptured section of the creek.
At first glance I didn't think I could make the climb down. My initial decision was heavily biased on the fact a rope was present. Going on Michael's logic "commit or quit" I took a stab at it. It turned out to be rather easy and definitely worth seeing from below. Next it was down to the beach where the desert kisses the lake. Hopes of looping back through Long Canyon where pretty much abandoned at the waterfall. So we headed back on charted territory. I still think it's possible in a short December light day but will probably never attempt the loop. An out-n-back down Long Canyon seems to be the safest option.
Autumn didn't seem as progressed as my previous trip 4 years ago on Dec 11th.
On the return we found a note from Hank that he and Randal had headed back to the trailhead. I wasn't aware Randal was on this trip. I've yet to have had the opportunity to meet the great Schulhauser. After missing the man by an hour or so two years ago I decided I better jump on the opportunity. Once we hit the base of the ridge I ripped off the shackle thermal wear and kicked it into wallygear. Back at the trailhead Hank and Randal were waiting patiently. Discovering the waterfall and meeting the great Schulhauser made this bleak overcast trip one to remember. Thanks to Michael Rock Andretti Jr and "Thoughtful Hank" for making this one possible, it's very much appreciated! |
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Route Editor
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