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| Hiking | 21.56 Miles |
2,764 AEG |
| | Hiking | 21.56 Miles | 8 Hrs 58 Mns | | 2.67 mph |
| 2,764 ft AEG | 53 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | The character of the drive up along Williamson Valley intrigues me. One ranch yard pasture featured a grazing zebra. A go-home California bumper sticker resonated a local vibe. Bruce squashed 2 woodchucks on the drive-in. Kidding on the last but he almost nailed several low-flying birds on more than one occasion.
Bruce threw out a few options. Linda and I picked this trail-throughout option. I was excited to go for an easier 20+ mile hike after a hiatus.
Starting we wrapped around the back side on Old Military Trail #1, it was blah pinions scrub for a mile or so. #7 featured large healthy pines, a few oaks, and one old wagon frame.
The original agreed-upon hike wavered heavily to a horrible off-trail nightmare until after 7.5 mi. It was unspokenly agreed upon that if I shut up we would do the 21-miler, yeah right whatever let's go. We rolled off 10 easy miles at 3.1 mph, which is typically out of my range.
The ascent up Oaks and Willows Trail #3 to the mesa was gradual and mostly shaded... depending on who you asked. We enjoyed lunch just before the steep finale to the top.
All seemed to enjoy the first few miles over on Juniper Mesa Trail #20. There are limited areas that get near the edge so you need to go off-trail just a little to pick up expected/desired views.
After ~3 miles the trail fades away in areas but you're always near the fence line and cairns help. The west end is a roller coaster sans shade and brought out the best in all of us... Lol
Juniper Springs Trail #2 is steep and loose for good stretches but bridges the gap. Distant sweeping views are abundant so it holds a 3 of 5 rating for myself.
Synopsis
This wilderness and the drive to it won't fit for most but I think it's a worthy option on occasion. My shoulder seemed fine after a July 26th fall. Yesterday, I almost canceled after getting a 1-inch callus crack on my right foot. Duct tapped, it was fine. With 7 miles to go, intense hammie cramps surfaced. Took more electrolytes than usual and they never returned. Used all 4 quarts I brought and Linda shared near the end. It was great to see everybody! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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