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| Hiking | 9.44 Miles |
2,457 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.44 Miles | 5 Hrs 33 Mns | | 1.92 mph |
| 2,457 ft AEG | 38 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The drive was not that bad with fwd 8 inches of clearance. We were the only ones at the trailhead except for some campers who were gone by the time we got back. The bathroom doesn't have toilet paper or hand sanitizer but somehow didn't stink. The trail was pretty flat to the old trailhead and to mile 2. There was no breeze so the 50 degree heat was draining. From there the trail goes up a slope and starts switchbacking and a relieving breeze joined us. It is notable how consistent the grade is with the switchbacks, very impressive and consistently tiring. There was an odd rock wall that was when the switchbacks end and the trail ascends the slope to the south summit. Very quickly the views started appearing all around us and was pretty cool. From here the trail was obviously less maintained but nonetheless very defined. The slope of the mountain was also pretty unique.
Before the true summit we found reference mark 2 (1960) which was an "eccentric" mark to see other benchmarks that were blocked by the flatness of the mountain. The main benchmark (1910) was apart of the Coastal and Geodetic Survey's initial triangulation across Arizona which took azimuths (directions) to other benchmarks in the network to calculate their individual positions. From TABLE, the original survey took measurements towards WHITE TANK, SUPERSTITION, CATALINA, and MARICOPA all of which have been destroyed at some point. There was a bunch of ocotillo blocking the views. We found the cross reference and 1936 reference mark.
On the way down right after the summit there was an overlook where we found a car battery and a steep slope that allowed for some scenic photos and views. Going down the rock was a bit loose at first but nothing thoughtful foot placement couldn't avoid. I was going pretty fast downhill but my hiking partner wasn't. I didn't take long until we were back we just had to get through the mileage. |
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