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| Canyoneering | 17.00 Miles |
4,000 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 17.00 Miles | | | |
| 4,000 ft AEG | | 17 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | Siphon Fire update. I was both happy and sad that the Superstition Wilderness were back open after the 2024 Siphon Fire. With literally a 30 degree temperature drop, I was off to the show. Because of the extensive damage expected, I opted for West Boulder Canyon on the eastern slopes of the mountains. I did a Carney, West Boulder, East Boulder, Peralta Canyon loop. From the West Boulder Saddle it was clear that the fire had burned across the entire back slope of the ridgeline all the way up into Three Sisters. The one hiker I saw all day stated that Three Sisters was roasted. There was no fire activity anywhere in Carney Springs Canyon. Some isolated flowers like red chuparosa survived the blaze and desert broom was budding and blooming on the WBC canyon floor.
The fire map indicated that WBC could have been significantly burned as well. I found that most of the upper canyon in fact was intact. Good for the wilderness and bad for me since I now needed to navigate an extremely overgrown area. I dropped into the channel too soon and paid for it in time penalties. Cut to the burn section. Fire burned areas that have not had fire in many decades. Very large 60-70 year old cottonwood trees were destroyed. Mature oak groves were destroyed as well. Hillsides of 100+ year old Saguaro were blazed as well. I may go back after rains wash the ash out for another look.
The fire burned from ridgeline down a small canyon from the west side of West Boulder then crossed the canyon to the east side. It continued up the eastside over and down the ridge towards Weavers Needle. Not my photo shows the actual fire. East boulder canyon Peralta trail was not affected in the upper Weavers area or south to Peralta TH. Peralta to Fremont Saddle is one of the heaviest travelled trails in the wilderness area and unaffected. There is significant damage all through the northwest section of the mountains. I’ll continue to travel some of the back canyons to see the extent. It was reported as a human caused fire. Not criticizing FS decision making, but I always feel like more could be done sooner… |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Piper Spring |
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| | | Pools in the area from previous nights rain. Spring access seems to be collapsed. | | | |
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Route Editor
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