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| Hiking | 9.67 Miles |
1,688 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.67 Miles | 5 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.13 mph |
| 1,688 ft AEG | 47 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | With the unseasonable warm up and commitments in the afternoon, we decided on an early meet up at Peralta trailhead for a quick 9-10 miles in the Superstitions. Was surprised to pass two vehicles headed out as I was driving in. Arrived in the lot to a surprising number of cars parked, and sighted a couple of folks heading up the hillside with headlamps.
Temps just before dawn were in the high 50's, but I knew things were going to be heating up quickly. We did the initial climb out of the parking area with the assistance of headlamps, but were able to stow them once we crested the ridge and headed on down the Dutchman. The low light had me cruising along uninterrupted...but once the sun was high enough, I commenced with the documentation of the current wildflower situation 
While I slowed down snapping photos as I went, J sped up, having caught sight of the two that I must have seen heading up the trail when I arrived at the parking lot. Initially, I had thought one of them might be Wally, since they were wearing a bright orange long-sleeved sunshirt - but since I seemed to be gaining on them even with my dawdling for floral photography, I figured there was no way it could possibly be him (it wasn't).
Caught up to J at the junction with Coffee Flat and started the climb up heading up along side Miner's Needle. With our pre-dawn start, it enabled us to get most of the climbing done in shade, but even with that advantage, it was still feeling rather warm when we gained the saddle.
After taking a quick break, we continued on down the Dutchman, heading towards Bluff Springs. The trails, as one might expect, are well trodden and clear for the most part - some of the early sections of the Dutchman heading across the basin are seeing some brittle bush encroachment, and as we headed down from the saddle and made our way towards the Bluff Springs junction, there are sections where the grasses are thick and tall.
After another quick stop in the dry crossing near Crystal Spring, we continued on our way along the Bluff Springs trail. No significant differences noted on trail condition from the last time we were in the area - other than the fact that the grasses are definitely drier than they had been. I can't help but worry over the upcoming wildfire season.
It wasn't long before we hit the Terrapin junction and Barks Canyon. The rest of the hike out was uneventful - the small climbs on the way to cardiac hill were a little toasty. As we made our way back to the trailhead down cardiac hill, we saw a number of folk along the Peralta Trail, and the parking lot was nearly full.
Other People: A few more than I expected, given the fact that it was a weekday and the temps were expected to be warm. We saw three pairs and two solo travellers along the loop.
Wildlife: Heard an owl and plenty of birdsong, especially in the early hours of the hike. A number of butterflies, and a lizard or two.
Not sure if the road has been graded since the last time I drove it; it seemed smoother than I remembered. With the warm temps expected, I was slightly surprised to see several cars heading in towards the trailheads as I made my way out. In addition to the mostly full Peralta lot, the Wave Cave/Carney Springs parking area was also nearly full. Several crews were working on the fenceline that is going up on either side of Peralta Road. Was most surprised to catch sight of a couple of longhorns hunkered down right along side the road in some shade.
Thanks for suggesting this loop, J - it was good to get out and into the Supes again. Hopefully we see the temps cool back down again before the official warm season hits. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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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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