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| Broad Range Meandering, AZ | |
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| | Broad Range Meandering, AZ | | | |
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Broad Range Meandering, AZ
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| Hiking | 0.75 Miles |
70 AEG |
| | Hiking | 0.75 Miles | | | |
| 70 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| partners | | A day of scouting ruins in the Sierra Anchas - I'd been to a number of them back in 2003, but wasn't fully aware of how extensively the area was populated at the time, and didn't have the skills or knowledge to know where to look to find others.
With my curiosity piqued, more information on hand, and a hiking partner with a more capable vehicle than mine, we set off to see what we could see. Jason brought along his camera to help with the spotting - I unfortunately have no idea what has become of my binoculars...I might need to invest in some new glass to aid in the search.
Cherry Creek Road (203) is nicely graded...but quickly goes to heck in a handbasket just past the Ellison Ranch. There are a couple areas made even more challenging to negotiate between erosion and rockfall that may be made even more difficult depending on the dimensions and turning radius of your vehicle. It's no wonder there are ruins to be found in Devils Chasm, Cold Spring and Pueblo Canyons with their lush vegetation - even after the crazy dry winter season we've just had!
Aside from the scouting, we took the opportunity for a quick walk in the blazing heat to stretch our legs...luckily for us, the site we visited faced uncharacteristically northward and was shaded under the cliffs. It was surprisingly comfortable exploring the area.
Other people: saw someone out on their motorcycle/dirtbike all the way out near Devil's Chasm and passed several vehicles on 203 in the smooth section.
Wildlife: startled some bunnies, saw some soaring vultures, a hawk surveying for breakfast, the cicadas are starting to sing, and there were a number of large round (and seemingly happy and friendly) bees up on one of the ridges we poked around on. Also saw a few cattle out wandering near one of the creek crossings, and startled what I think was a townsend's big-eared bat when we visited the cliff dwellings.
Looking forward to more exploring once the temps become more conducive - it'll also give us some time to forget the condition of the drive  |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
of course, I was still snapping photos of the flora I saw  |
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| Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually |
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