DESTINATION Squaw Canyon and Black Mtn (3707) 1 Photoset
2023-11-25 | | -
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| Hiking | 22.40 Miles |
4,963 AEG |
| | Hiking | 22.40 Miles | | | |
| 4,963 ft AEG | | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | Black Mountain 3707 summit lollipop with Shelly. The days are short so planned darkness to darkness and it was. I really enjoyed this 22+ mile trip, but clowned around too much to make decent time. Our route was to be counter clockwise Bluff Spring 235, Dutchman 104, Peters 105, Summit, Squaw Canyon, Cavalry 239, Terrapin 234, and Bluff Spring back.
The temps were forecasted in the 50s to 70s, which they were. From Peralta we began to a half full lot before dawn. There were nice clouds in the am that burned off by the pm. We were passing through Barks and sunrise and continued with a few side trips. My err in judgement was to take the sides forgetting we’d be pressed for time. I got lost in the moment and didn’t get my partner back on time.
There were still a few isolated pools from rain 2 weeks ago. There were four backpacking/camping groups in Bluff Spring area including a family of over a dozen. Side one was up to Bluff Spring. It was odd to me that some of the backpackers were unaware that there was even a spring there. Bluff is returning to nature, more overgrown than before but still trickles a quart a minute.
Side two La Barge is near fall colors with some change but about a month away from prime. The spring itself is vastly overgrown with rubus. Not sure which variety blackberry, raspberry, or? but no telling where it will stop. I remember standing on the box not that long ago, now completely buried. It is flowing strong at a gallon+ a minute. There were multiple campers there as well.
Side three to Charlebois. We saw the first hiker of the day on Peters 105 heading up to the summit. I scored a small personal victory by finding and removing I believe the last red spray painted cairn on the long trail. Up top the upper plateau is timeless and familiar. We crossed it and made way up to the Summit. Black Mountain 3707 register was still there in small jar but Shelly brought a nice glow in the dark waterproof box just in case. We had a snack and off before we knew it. We were behind schedule as we crossed for Squaw Canyon. I’ve never liked going up that canyon so chose the route down specifically. One more side trip and then the tortuous drop down to the Cavalry Trail. I’m not sure that I’ll ever take that route again. I’m fairly certain that fire, scree and rockfall have removed anything that would be considered a trail. The loose slope meant I spent more time falling on my backside than anything else I can remember. We connected to an old horse trail as we got lower in the canyon.
The trail route back was uneventful with several small stops to reenergize before reaching a dark Peralta. I love this time of year and any chance to hike the Superstition Mountains. It's so much prettier with water but we have not been blessed this season. My companion was a rock star. The shorter days make long day hikes like this problematic but worth it. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Barks Canyon |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | Isolated pools from rain 2 weeks ago |
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Bluff Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Out of the black pipe |
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LaBarge Spring |
Gallon + per minute |
Gallon + per minute |
| | | Overrun with rubus but spring was strong as always. | | | |
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