| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 7.20 Miles |
1,900 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.20 Miles | 6 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.11 mph |
| 1,900 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | This hike has been on my radar for several months. I wanted to get it done before it got too warm. Today seemed to be the perfect day. A few early issues set back my start time. One, was the drive time. I hoped to be on the trail by 6am but the drive time from house was longer than anticipated. Second, there was no mile marker 134 going west bound from Casa Grande. I was by the turn off for the trail before I realized it. This forced a drive to Butterfield Rd and a 15 mile return trip. (When driving east from Gila Bend you have to go past the TH and then use one of the dirt roads that crosses the median and then drive back about a mile). Arrived at the TH a little after 7am. The turn off and gate for this TH is very “low key”. Unless you know what you are looking for you’ll be by it without realizing it. Suggest driving slowly with hazards after mile marker 133.
Happy to finally be on the trail. Took the road for the first 1.25 miles. Doesn’t look like the road has been used in decades. Very faint, but evident. Dropped into the wash when the road terminated at some low lying hills. The wash was very hiker friendly. Wide and little foliage to impede the progress. The sand wasn’t too bad either. It had rained the previous night and actually sprinkled a little as I hiked up the wash. Left the wash around 2.3 miles and immediately started hiking the hill in front of me. Two things made this hill more challenging than it needed to be. Cholla. I was warned about that in the trail description but it was still a hindrance to be reckoned with. The other obstacle I wasn’t expecting. The wind!!!  It was a relentless force of nature. I would not be at all surprised if the wind gusts were over 30mph. I was constantly having to gather myself as I moved up the slope between chollas and rocks. I was half way up the first hill and thinking of desert boonie and how from the freeway the Big Horn “was begging to be hiked.” I was seriously questioning the sanity of that sentiment and this was only on the first hill  Reaching the top of the first hill I was somewhat taken aback to see two more “hills” between me and Big Horn. At that point I made two decisions. One not to look up. And two, to stay on the east side of the mountain, (the wind coming from the west). This kind of worked. It was muuuuccchhhhhh easier not having to fight the wind with every step. However, about half way the second “hill” I ran smack into a cholla.  I took a few minutes pulling stickers out of my arm and leg, but luckily the clothing protected me from most of the cacti. Despite the wind, I started following the ridgeline as I neared the top of the third “hill”. The climb just made sense to follow it. With the wind at my back, at times, I finally made it to the top!
Great views from atop! Mountains just peppered the landscape in every direction. Annoyed to discover that my Garmin had died mid-ascent and my phone was near “death” as well. I got lucky, in that turning the phone off and on a couple of times got me enough power to take several pictures. I spent 15 minutes looking for the peak register. Couldn’t find it.  We may need a new one. I really worked for this peak. I reeaaalllly wanted to sign it! Oh well. I put a wooden stick in a dwarf palo verde to mark my accomplishment. (However, if anyone from HAZ goes up there in the near future and finds it, please add Mt98dew  I made it).
Went down the eastern ridge. I think this is the preferable route. A lot less cholla. Maybe more rock scrambling. Came down to the wash too quickly and found it overgrown. Had to hike along the bank for a ways. There is a wash that comes down from Big Horn and joins the “flat” wash. (If you are hiking down the eastern ridge, you’ll be able to see this wash coming down from the Big Horn. It becomes more noticeable as it gets closer to the “flatter” wash. The flat wash becomes more navigatable after these two meet). Hike back was uneventful. I got to say, I kind of appreciated the “flat” wash and the dirt road.
After the crowds of the previous day this was a refreshing dose of solitude. Minimal wildlife. A few quail and a rabbit. Temps were perfect, but the wind was unforgiving.
As I was driving away, I looked back in the mirror and the cloudy skies had opened up, illuminating Big Horn and I swear it was begging to be hiked. I guess desert boonie was right after all  |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
