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| Hiking | 19.41 Miles |
5,215 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.41 Miles | 14 Hrs 49 Mns | | 1.37 mph |
| 5,215 ft AEG | 42 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | There were only two or three campers on the drive-in and nobody at the trailhead. Started at 5:41 a.m. with a shooting star. A little into the hike, Fountain Hills illuminates the skyline. Perhaps the Payson lights can be seen from the north end of the wilderness. A mile in it started to get light.
My squeeze valve was leaking, so I was drinking as much as possible early on. Hydration would be key today with a slight fever and a sore throat. Having worked every breathing moment since the last hike I neglected to get a few things done like getting the foxtails out of my shoes... Lol
Sheep Creek Trail
This trail is well maintained in the upper former AZT portion. Approaching Thicket Spring Trail, Sheep is a small group of unburned tall pines. I thought wow, what a nice camping area until I realized the insulation layer harbored deep freeze temps. Shortly after Thicket Spring Trail, Sheep was more the type of trail I anticipated being on.
A few Hank-Bruce waypoints would'a been wise in hindsight. I went off-trail way too early, picking up a bonus gladiator round with locust. Rookie mistake, I was only 2.2 mi from the actual off-trail... Lol Copper Camp Loop Trail resembles the Audubon once you pay attention.
Evidence of well-fed bears. Viewing my loop as a clock, notably from 5-7 & 10-12.
Approaching the turn-off, I was getting bummed because I thought I was too low on water and would have to abort. Stopping to check, I had plenty and life was good. 2 minutes later, backing up to frame a Lion photo I fell. My left thigh met a rock. Albeit painful it just made sitting awkward/undesirable (I wasn't planning on sitting around).
Off-trail
Turned down off of the theoretical Copper Camp Trail at 9:52. Luckily, I planned where it mattered. The finger ridges may seem easy from a birds-eye-view but dodging the undesirables sooner than later saves resources.
South Fork Sheep Creek
Made it down to the creek. With the grapefruit on my thigh and two new blood-sprinklers tourniqueted with sun sleeves, I contemplated skipping the goal, walking the creek, and turning in my man card. Took some Advil and baby steps up Dream Ridge. Extending my left leg or pushing hard was no bueno. Since the right knee can not handle much fun I took baby steps and laughed at myself.
Dream Ridge
What should have taken me 35 minutes, took 97. Two bands are encountered heading up. The first is chalk or such and the second is slower weathering blobs of rock. A well-balanced hiker with a good pair of hands might get through both. I dodged both hooking left. It's an average 45° grade for the main leg, so I would rather ascend.
Lion Mountain 4608
The views from 4570 last week were pretty good but I needed to evaluate the feasibility of other ideas. Strong 4G like 4570. 25 minutes to evaluate, start lunch, and let someone have a clue where I was if things didn't pan out. That's step one if you do them in order. Parted ways @ 2 PM.
Lion Ridge
It's pretty easy but it's not a relaxing stroll. I had two options to get down. The subway route I took last week is guaranteed but I wanted to try the Southwest Ravine to save ground.
Southwest Ravine
It might work all the way up but there is a band at the top I didn't have time to explore. In favor of higher odds, I hooked it early where it was easy to drop. No biggie but more cactus and brush to dodge than Dream Ridge. Albeit less steep at an average 40° grade, I had to glissade two 15-20 ft runs.
Return
Same as last week. Minus two reassurance sips and a Monster Pipeline, I was out of water with 6 to go. The difference is that I was well-hydrated up to this point. South Fork Sheep Creek > skirt high on the north > drop back down before Tournament > a few paces into Tournament scramble the wall with the precarious cactus... those are key. The last glow of daylight fizzled out on the 400 ft ascent up 4642. Enjoyed the Pipeline. My only concern was Marion. If things went awry, I would just go west no matter what. Chalk hassled me a little then I walked through Marion without blinking. |
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