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| Lower Labyrinth Scout, AZ | |
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| | Lower Labyrinth Scout, AZ | | | |
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Lower Labyrinth Scout, AZ
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| no partners | | Quite the day. New territory in the old, a bit of a loop and some butt clinching moments. And Beauty, a lot of that. Drive in early dodging Tarantulas' crossing the road, driving back it was butterfly and grasshoppers. One large gopher snake.
The road to get to the access to the lower part of Labryrinth ( not it's real name of course) has some infamy as a border patrol agent was shot in this area a few year back in a gunfight with supposedly the cartel, when he went to check on a tripped sensor. He made the news (he lived) and there was going to be a press conference when suddenly the whole story just--- disappeared from media. My sources were tight lipped. I've driven this road several times, it's a rough beautiful drive with a kinda creepy feel to it. I found my spot and stashed the Jeep out of sight in some trees. Not on the map but an old severely washed out road climbed above the wash. I decided to walk it and take the little canyon back. GE and my Topo map program did not indicate anything very challenging. Wrong.
The road walk was short and nice with great views. A trail off the top took me to a saddle then a bushwack and downclimb to get into the side canyon. The little canyon showed signs of use by illegals. I made it to the main canyon and now rather than go upcanyon where it was going to get tight decided to go downcanyon. It did not look interesting on the map but it was beautiful with towering cliffs and some bedrock/ slickrock with pools. I had a misstep with my knee but it held up. It was getting warm so I decided to head back using the canyon to the Jeep. A nice pool near the confluence I shed my gear and floated fully clothed on my back in it to get cooled off for the little brushy climb. I will return for the upcanyon.
I was making my way up the side canyon which had some very good trails due to it's fairly heavy use by the border crossers'. There was a surprise pour off which made me have to go out of my way but I was soon back on track. An odd bird call froze me in my tracks. You would think these spotters would learn to perfect a local bird call. I was exposed on the trail and I was not trying to be stealthy. Across the canyon from me a group of men stood up. I glanced then looked away, and made sure my hands could be seen holding the trekking poles. They quickly moved almost silently up and over a small ridge with the foliage getting them out of sight quickly. I relaxed some; these guys were pros. Full camo, face and hand paint, large camo packs, and probably 8-10 had long guns partially obscured by netting. Maybe 25-30 guys. Probably moving some high value stuff. I looked down and did not see a laser sight on me so I was good. I was nothing to these guys, I wouldn't be surprised if they knew where the Jeep was and had run my plates. I wondered why they had not waited until I passed but I suppose the spotter couldn't be sure of my movement.
Got to the Jeep without any additional issues. I think I will drive the bad road to the top parking spot and go in as I did, the trail back up won't be too tough and will get me off illegal immigrant central for part of it. I didn't even bother to mention it at the BP checkpoint, I doubt those guys will trip any sensors. |
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