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| Hiking | 17.50 Miles |
3,266 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.50 Miles | | | |
| 3,266 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Because once up Terrapin this year wasn't enough.... 
Headed out to do a long loop that's been on my "should revisit" list. Swung by J's place to pick him up before sunrise, saw some cars at the Carney Springs Trailhead, and arrived at the Peralta lot to find only three other cars there. As we were driving out, we noticed that the winds had apparently decided to build as sunrise approached. Sure enough, as we got out of the car, we were shocked with the cutting breeze...I guess the good news is we would surely warm right up tackling cardiac hill straight away!
As expected, cardiac hill certainly got us warm, but sweat plus the breeze wasn't a good pairing. In an attempt to temperature regulate, I opted to peel off my wicking layer and continue onward with my windbreaker - this proved to be semi-successful, though I was then stuck with the windbreaker sleeves clinging to my sweaty arms...better than being stuck either freezing or overheating, I suppose. Oh the joys of re-discovering out how best to temperature regulate on the fly
We had talked briefly about hitting this loop clockwise vs counter-clockwise. I didn't have any strong opinions on the matter...loose rocky nonsense on a grade is not particularly delightful in either direction. J seemed interested in hitting in CCW, so that's what we opted for. Sections of the Dutchman trail are playing peek-a-boo with tall grasses, requiring a fair bit of attention to ensure good foot placement. Saw a bit of color on the trees at the various springs as we passed. The sun had finally climbed high enough and the wind had mostly disappeared by the time we made Oak Spring, so we had a quick break to shed layers back to our more typical hiking attire before continuing onward to Charlebois and a quick visit to view the master map (thank you for showing it to me, J - I suspect I wouldn't have easily found it on my own!).
After a break to refuel near the spring, we continued on our way, eventually entering the burn region. I don't have strong memories of what the area looked like pre-fire, and I don't seem to have any photos from "way back when" to give myself a refresher. J showed me a photo of the big stately saguaro that was just off trail that is no more 
Soon enough, we found ourselves at the junction with Terrapin. Same as my previous visit, I was hitting this section late in the day after covering some decent miles. The climb up this time was easier - I'd like to think my conditioning has improved significantly since the last time I gave it a go. Still slow, but didn't seem to require the stops that I recalled having to make the last time I did it. When the trail gets close to the watercourse in the section before Bluff Saddle, things got a little faint at times with the overgrowth obscuring the way. Once we closed the loop, it was an easy return to the trailhead, making our way back down cardiac hill during golden hour. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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Oak Spring |
Gallon + per minute |
Gallon + per minute |
| | | Didn't find the actual spring, but there is plenty of flow in the nearby creekbed. | | _____________________
| 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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