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| Canyoneering | 3.50 Miles |
500 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 3.50 Miles | | | |
| 500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | C - Strong current; wading/swimming; waterfalls; possible wet/dry suit |
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| no partners | | My adventure started the night before when I drove out to the trailhead to camp. The crossing at A+ Road seemed a bit deep so I headed up to Bar X road where crossing Tonto Creek was much easier (thanks to a tip from SSK4 in his Cactus Butte description). About ankle deep, 75 feet wide, and rocky. I managed to successfully follow Bar X road back to A+ road, but I didn't realize there would be another turnoff in a mile or so to continue on A+ road, so instead I continued driving straight on the pavement. It was late and dark and I couldn't see my surroundings, and I guess the road led right into a recreation area for the lake. I saw some signs and some RV's around, but didn't think much of it and kept on driving straight. As I was barreling down the road, it suddenly took a steep downhill that kind of caught me off-guard, and thinking the transition back to flat might be a bit rough at the speed I was going, I stepped on the brakes to slow down bit. Suddenly I realized I couldn't see the road in front of me, in spite of my headlights, and I slammed on my breaks. After a giving myself a second to focus, I saw, about 5 feet in front of my truck, gentle waves from Roosevelt Lake lapping against the the bottom of the ramp. I had almost driven my truck straight into the lake! Thoroughly shaken up by what had almost happened, I managed to turn around on the boat ramp and drive off. It wasn't until today that I've been able to laugh about it to myself. What a disaster that would have been!
Anyhow...
This was a fun hike. I didn't do the whole canyon, just came up in from the bottom so I could hit the waterfall. In just the short span to the falls, there's 3 mandatory swims. I had a heavy pack with lots of camera gear, so I brought a tube so I could float upstream. I was really glad I did, too. When I got to the waterfall section I lounged around for a while and then took some photos, then floated back to the end of the canyon before it got so late in the day that swimming would be too cold. Where the canyon opens up, I hung around for sunset so I could catch some warm light on Dutchwoman Butte, then hiked back by moonlight. I loved it here, I will be back. |
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"Arizona is the land of contrast... You can go from Minnesota to California in a matter of minutes, then have Mexican food that night." -Jack Dykinga
http://www.joelhazelton.com |
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