| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 13.15 Miles |
2,498 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.15 Miles | 7 Hrs 17 Mns | | 1.99 mph |
| 2,498 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Chris invited Wally and I to this adventure. It’s been a while since I have been up to Black Top Mesa and jumped at the chance. We arrived at the trailhead in the dark and set off. The temps were a little chilly, but not too bad.
We opted to do a loop via Dutchman Trail, up Bull Pass to the top and then back via Black Mesa Trail/Second Water.
The Dutchman was in good shape. No signs of water up to Parker Pass and signs of the recent fire were evident. We turned off the headlamps at the pass and started down towards Bull Pass. There were a few puddles/pool in the West Boulder Creek, but no other signs of water afterwards.
The fire scars were very clear all the way to the junction. Lots of black tree/bush skeletons and downed cacti. There was also lots and lots of green grass and other plants that have benefited from all the rain over the past months. Nature has a way of healing itself. This area has been forever altered in the process.
The hike up Bull Pass was the usual steepness. Once near the top, it was clear just how much grass had grown up there. It was more like Green Top Mesa. The namesake black basalt rocks were still there, but under a blanket of green grass. Just like the previous fires have reduced native vegetation and replaced it was grass in other areas of the mountains, this place is ripe for another fire as well.
The views were amazing as always. Wally showed me a couple of new modern glyphs towards the north end of the mountain that I have never seen. I am guessing most, if not all of the glyphs are from the modern era up on the mountain. Still cool to see crazy people hiked up here in the 1930’s just as we have in the 2020’s.
We hiked down and started up Black Mesa. I haven’t been on this trail since Wally and I did a recon hike after the fire back in 2024. The signs were still there. Roasted and dead saguaro, black tree/bush skeletons. The top of the mesa was a roasted moonscape in 2024. It was a green grass-a-topia this time around. Every fire kills off the native stuff and grass replaces it. Black Mesa will definitely burn again. This is the new normal.
The weather was near perfect all day. A slight chill in the air at the start and sunny skies and very pleasant temps the rest of the hike. Lots of people out on the trails. We came across some familiar faces going down Bull Pass. It was a conga line for a while. The “Flex-Lane” for Bull Pass was running. I have never seen that many people on this trail, ever. Black Mesa and then Second Water had a good number of hikers out as well. The stream grew larger as we approached the trailhead.
Another awesome day in the Supes. Gotta love it! |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 