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| Hiking | 6.30 Miles |
1,621 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.30 Miles | 6 Hrs 2 Mns | | 1.35 mph |
| 1,621 ft AEG | 1 Hour 22 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I started off in the dark thinking about hitting Dome Mountain and it's sister peak, 3269, but for some unknown reason, after watching a very nice sunrise, I started thinking about doing the Three Lesser Peaks hike instead.
The gate at Wolverine Pass was open when I drove through at 530am. Hopping on FS1356, I forget how crappy this road has become. I parked where 1356 turns east and started up the trail. The pre-dawn color show was going for 15-20 minutes, and it turned into a nice sunrise. By the time I started heading up the Dome Mountain trail, I was already thinking about attempting to find the Elliptical Arch instead. I followed a line up towards Peak 3134 and actually found it. After a cost-benefit analysis about getting close to the arch, I opted to keep going up.
It's been many moons since I have done this hike. I always started from the saddle below Dome Mountain. That is a kinda-sorta trail going up. The bushwhack I took was not a kinda-sorta trail. I would see a cairn here and there, but it's basically a make your own trail kinda hike.
After reaching the first of the three Lesser Peaks - 3134, I started toward the next one, Peak 3089. When I started down I thought about making this hike the “2 out of 3 Lesser Peaks” hike and taking the drainage down inbetween Peak 3089 and 3047. Next time, I think I will try that way down as the third peak is so-so and the hike down was a nasty bushwhack (at least the path I took).
I finally made it down to the Orohai Wash near the Horse with No Name junction and started down towards Top Hat. Once I made it past that and back on 1356 it was a relief. I am 6 weeks out of a knee surgery and more than once I was asking myself why I opted for this type of hike on this fine day. I was slow mover going down. I did ok going up. Between the route finding, my need to go slower and all of the photos I snapped along the way, it took much longer than anticipated for this one.
I saw a couple of ATVs on the way back on 1356. Other than that, I had the trails to myself. Lots of birds, a few lizards, not snakes or other critters. I also saw no water at all. So dry out there.
On the way out there was a bunch of Rangers and Sheriff Deputies all around one of the trailers along FS10 that seem to be living there. Another Ranger was blocking the gate and checking for Bulldog OHV permits. I had mine, so I was able to leave. It won’t be long until this road is dotted with people living out here in the cooler months.
I survived to hike another day. |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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