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| Hiking | 5.81 Miles |
2,032 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.81 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 1.16 mph |
| 2,032 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | My list of hikes for this hiking season includes a handful of wilderness areas that I've never hiked in. I completed a few of them already, but Tres Alamos Wilderness was still on the list. I was looking at either Honey Bee Spring and the arch near it, or the summit of Sawyer Peak. After seeing that the former is not technically inside the wilderness boundary, I opted for Sawyer.
The small, unnamed dirt road turn off of Hwy 93 came up quick, and I missed it. I had to go another half mile and make a u-turn. Next time I'll know to watch for a gate across the dirt road. There is a sign posted that this is State Trust Land, and thankfully I had my annual state land permit in my glove compartment.
I followed this dirt road for a couple miles and then parked on the side of the road on a small hill. From there I walked over a mile and a half along the road to where it ends. I passed some joshua trees, a few small fields of poppies, and a corral with a dozen cows. The joshua trees fade out once you arrive at the base of Sawyer. Military jets flew over about once an hour.
I headed up the eastern slope. This off trail portion requires weaving around lots of prickly pear and cholla. I noticed a half dozen beautiful Indian Paintbrush flower bushes. The uphill became really steep for the last third mile or so, and the slope was loaded with loose rock of all sizes. I didn't think it was too bad going up, but it sure took me a long time to carefully go down this upper section.
The summit had large boulders to climb around. The views were incredible, especially with the shadows of big white puffy clouds. I watched a thunderstorm to the northeast that was moving further away.
The weather was absolutely perfect with a nice, cool wind all day long. This wilderness is beautiful, and I will definitely be back. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Poppies, Indian Paintbrush |
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Route Editor
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