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| Hiking | 9.74 Miles |
2,969 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.74 Miles | 5 Hrs 2 Mns | | 2.30 mph |
| 2,969 ft AEG | 48 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | After our bike, hike and climb of [ Mollies Nipple - GC ] on Saturday, I did the onerous, three-hour 4x4 drive from near [ Mount Dellenbaugh ] over to Whitmore Canyon Overlook. I arrived at eight o'clock with only one large group of circled wagons present. The following morning, the fleeting lava dam hike was my first trek of three total completed on Sunday. The second was to the summit of an inactive volcano and my third hike was a mystifying and mellow meander amongst what could be considered vandalism today, but it's precious because it's archeo. 
1. [ Whitmore Trail ]
The creosote and ocotillo were flowering profusely with many buzzing bees working the buds early. This trail seemed easy on this somewhat cool morning. The night before was the warmest camp I'd stayed at so far. The columnar basalt near the base of the lava flow is absolutely magnificent. Numerous swifts were chirping, swooshing and dive-bombing near the black cliffsides. There wasn't a river party camped at the contentious Whitmore Helipad (RM 186.9), so consequently no vexing helicopter flights overhead this day. The river was chocolate brown and I only lingered briefly at two of the beach access points. It would of been nice to have a bath! There were more good hikes to complete before it got warmer.
2. [ Mount Trumbull Trail ]
This hike switchbacks steeply at first then gradually ascends the southern lava slopes through Pinyon–juniper woodland with many manzanita thickets, agave and oak trees. There are quite a few fresh and old deadfalls along the route, more so the higher one ascends. The first half of trail is pumice stones with occasional good views south of the Mount Logan Wilderness and the amazing spatter ramparts. The end of the first part on the east side allows great views of Red Butte and the San Francisco Peaks. The first part of the second half transverses a burnt area with some annoying locust and downed logs and then enters an unburnt ponderosa forest and tracks the south (left) side of a drainage for a while. The upper second half is mostly duff, somewhat obscure with some rockiness near the summit. The few remaining prudent cairns are helpful at keeping on route. A transient stroll past the summit benchmark to the north is worth the view towards Utah. 
3. [ Nampaweap Rock Art Site ]
I have few words to describe this immemorial location. These ancient rock chippers were skilled at creating some intricate and compelling designs. They seem to have had some leisure time.  It was splendid experiencing this site alone. You should visit for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I think you'll also be moved. |
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