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| Rees - Abineau - Inner Basin Loop, AZ | |
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| | Rees - Abineau - Inner Basin Loop, AZ | | | |
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Rees - Abineau - Inner Basin Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 17.37 Miles |
5,627 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.37 Miles | 7 Hrs 18 Mns | | 2.55 mph |
| 5,627 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I started from the Abineau-Bear Jaw TH around 6AM with the goal of hitting Rees and Abineau Peaks. I'd checked out a @ddgrunning route from July'21 [ photoset ] that was ~10.5 miles and hit both peaks, along with a longer @LJW figure-eight from Oct'22 [ photoset ] that included both peaks and dropped down to the Inner Basin. Depending on time and how I was feeling, I figured I'd decide on the final route once I was on Abineau.
The forest was almost eerily quiet as I started up Abineau, and a few elk scattered early on. The trail gains ~1,800' over the first two and a half miles to Waterline, then it was easy hiking on the highway over to the Bear Jaw intersection, where I left the trail to head up to Rees. There was quite a bit of deadfall to navigate early on, followed by a long scree slope before I reentered the forest and passed a few patches of snow on the way up to Rees. The views from the summit were impressive but partially obstructed by trees.
Next up was Abineau, roughly a half mile away with some steep and rocky sections. The 360° views were fantastic, and I took a snack break at the summit and signed the register. I dropped down the ridge on the NW side of the summit to check out the B-17 wreckage about a third of a mile down. I found quite a few metal scraps, but mostly small pieces and none of it recognizable as specific plane parts to a non-expert like me...I'm sure I only saw a fraction of what was out there if I'd spent more time exploring.
It wasn't 10AM yet, so with plenty of time remaining, I decided on the longer route and hiked back up to the ridge and then west toward Humphreys before dropping down toward Beard Spring/Beard Canyon. That was a very steep, loose descent that required some effort to avoid ending up at the bottom of the mountain in ~10 seconds, and I ended up with a few extra pounds in my boots after surfing/sliding down in the deep dirt and rock. Flat, solid ground was very welcome when that was over.
I followed some roads and drainages over to the deserted Inner Basin and explored that area a little before turning around to get back on Waterline and circle around the east side of the mountain. A maintenance worker near one of the pump houses was the first person I'd seen all day. It was easy hiking along Waterline with some nice views from the rare gaps in the trees. I connected with Bear Jaw to finish off the figure-eight a little after 1PM and only saw two hikers the whole day, both fairly close to the trailhead at the end. Overall, a really enjoyable hike with a mix of on- and off-trail, a few peaks, great views, a crash site, and very few people. |
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