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| Hiking | 7.23 Miles |
2,321 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.23 Miles | 7 Hrs 38 Mns | | 1.17 mph |
| 2,321 ft AEG | 1 Hour 26 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | This hike has been on my list for a long time, but I never got around to it. Linda queued this one up and was kind enough to invite me along.
We got started from the overflow lot at Tortilla Flat shortly before 0900, taking the classic route up to Geronimo Head. It goes without saying that the views all along this route are spectacular. Having near perfect weather made it all the better. Having such great company made it an epic adventure for me.
We took a nice long break at 3479 taking in the views, soaking up the rays, catching up on conversation and hydrating/fueling up for the way back.
The route back was not settled. I loaded a route @DixieFlyer has posted a few times. Bruce loaded one a bit more adventurous. We eventually settled on his. Once past 3509, we were thinking this was going to be awesome. Riding high along the top of a ridge, it was ridiculously enjoyable.
Until it wasn't.
We started our descent following what appeared to be a solid track with occasional cairns marking the way. In hindsight, these cairns may have been leading us to an adit we eventually came to. No more cairns after that, and no apparent easy way down. After discussing options and strategy, the Mom among us came up with the best solution; backtrack and look for a safe passage down to Peter's Canyon.
Joe and Linda scouted one saddle, Bruce and I another. I saw a gulley that would take us down without too much exposure, but it was steep and loose in places. Joe and Linda found what proved to be a better route. Joe led the way down and waited for us in the creek.
The boulder hop and crawl along Peter's Canyon was tedious, but I was happy to be in the creek rather than "up the creek without a paddle." We made it back to Tortilla Flat with the smell of burgers wafting up from the restaurant.
I suggested that we stop in for a meal after a longer than anticipated day in the wilderness. Linda had a previous engagement, but the rest of us were all in. My burger was outstanding, as was the pint of beer that I enjoyed with it.
My knees were aching when I tried to get up out of that chair, but I haven't had a finer day in some time. Thanks again Linda for organizing this. Nice to see Joe again; it seems like ages since our last hike. Thanks to all of you for an epic hike. |
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