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| Hiking | 6.40 Miles |
2,793 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.40 Miles | 5 Hrs 7 Mns | | 1.38 mph |
| 2,793 ft AEG | 29 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I was planning to do a South Mountain hike with my wife, but she decided not to hike today. Made a quick decision to do Quartz Peak instead.
The dirt road was in much worse shape than last year, with a lot of deep dips. Probably from the rains in October. The Cherokee had enough ground clearance to make it with no problems. On the road between the power lines and trailhead the wheel ruts were deep with a high sandy crown. Definitely need a high clearance vehicle.
When I finally reached the trailhead parking there were no other cars at all. I was alone. Last time here the lot was completely full. As soon as I opened the door I felt the gusty, cold wind. As I prepared to start the hike another car pulled into the lot. So much for solitude LOL. Guy from other car said it was his first time here and couldn't wait to "get on top of that quartz." Ok. He was concerned about the wind, and I said I would try to get to the top, but if it is to much would give up.
I started walking. It was so windy it was challenging just to sign the log because the paper was flapping and tried to take off. I was the first sign in of the day. The wind was blowing hard until I got to the top of the ridge line. The wind was coming from the east, and the west facing side of the hill was calm. Most of the hike is on West facing slopes which was good. But there were strong gusts whenever the trail was on the top of the ridge or on east facing slopes. Gusts were strong enough to make it tricky to balance. Not good. I didn't expect to get to the top today. I wore my wife brimmed hat, and had use one hand to hold onto the brim to keep it from blowing into my face. I ended up taking the hat off to keep my hands free for the climb to the peak.
On the final stretch to the top the wind seemed to let up a little. On top of the peak it was just a gentle breeze. Not bad at all. I sat and had a snack at the top, then headed back down. As I climbed off the peak I met two young women heading up. They told me that they passed the people I met at the trailhead a half hour from the top. They must have given up because I never saw them again.
The hike down seemed twice as long as the hike up. The wind was much lighter than it was in the morning. It was a very pleasant walk down. I didn't expect to reach the peak when I started, but I'm glad I didn't give up! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
A few brittle bush |
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