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| Hiking | 10.83 Miles |
3,830 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.83 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.83 mph |
| 3,830 ft AEG | 1 Hour 4 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I've had this one on my radar recently since I've only done it once before, and that was 7 years ago.  Today seemed like a good day for a repeat.
There've been a couple of fires and some new catclaw growth, so I wasn't sure what conditions would be like. Turned out to be 90% delightful. There's a solid trail for the first 1000 feet of climb up to the point where you turn off to head for Geronimo Head. From there scattered cairns marked no obvious paths through the grass with few obstacles to dodge.
The new catclaw bushes are only a few inches high and were either easily stepped on or inconsequential to brush by. There was a short stretch of prickly pair pinball passing through the drainage between the two peaks and again once cresting the top of the drainage onto the upper Malapais flats. The next mile across the top went quickly. We spooked a couple of bucks and a doe near the summit and took an insanely extended Eagle-recommended 30 minute rest up top.
The return trip was uneventful, though we were glad to return to some worn tread for the last mile though the steepitude was not particularly enjoyable at that point. Oh well, it goes by quickly.
This is a pretty solid dayhike with some exceptional rewards. I'd probably do it more often if not for the crowds.
Not a drop of water was seen. Not on the trail, in the drainage, nor in the surrounding rivers which should be roaring (or at least trickling) in February: Mesquite, Peters, Tortilla, La Barge, or Boulder.  ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
