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| Canyoneering | 11.48 Miles |
1,497 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 11.48 Miles | 5 Hrs 11 Mns | | 2.38 mph |
| 1,497 ft AEG | 22 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I dub this the advanced-level Hieroglyphics Trail :-). Similar payoff, without the annoying crowds.
I started from the Broadway TH, arriving around 7:30 am, with plenty of parking spaces left.
The first couple of miles along the Lost Goldmine trail offer great profile views of Flatiron, Peak 5024, and the Superstition Ridgeline.
Once reaching the turn up toward Hog Canyon, I passed through the gate and started the off-trail adventure.
At first, I started along the edges of the wash, which fans out on the lower portions of the trail. But soon found that the wash bottom offered the clearest path, and that the banks were actually more choked with pokey/scratchy bushes and roadblocks. So, my advice--stay in the wash the entire hike. Any time I gave into temptation to get out, in search of a shortcut, I regretted it :-)
The primary growth in the wash itself is buffle grass, which, while annoying because it occasionally obscures footing decisions, is at least not scratchy! And as you get closer to the canyon entrance proper, the grass peters out, leaving you a pretty clear path. On top of that, the rocks in the creekbed were surprisingly stable, allowing me to hike nearly at "trail speed."
The payoff waterfalls and petroglyphs exceeded expectations. I'm sure they were pretty spectacular a week or so ago withe recent rains, but they were still quite impressive, including a nice swimming hole at the upper falls, which offered a clear, 5-6-foot-deep pool at its foot.
Above the falls, I hiked up to the high point above and to the west, which offered a nice overview of the falls cascades from above.
I also explored ascending the drainage further, but soon found it choked with more of the usual, flesh-ripping flora. Not interested in a bloodletting adventure, I retraced my steps and headed back.
I didn't encounter a single other hiker on the trail until just before returning to the Broadway TH.
I marked a few points of interest on my route, including a camping spot above the pools.
This one truly exceeded expectations--particularly for an off-trail route. I'll be back. |
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