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| Hiking | 7.65 Miles |
819 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.65 Miles | 2 Hrs 51 Mns | | 2.68 mph |
| 819 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I had planned to hike Black Canyon Trail segment #9, from Bumble Bee to Government Spring, and segment #10 on to the ghost town of Cordes, last week. At this time of year, the BCT segments north of Black Canyon City are awash in spring flowers.
The last time I hiked from Bumble Bee to Government Spring, seven years ago, I had a topo, but no GPS. Just past the mine claim gate, I went left when I shoulda taken a right toin at Albuquerque. I mean, split right. I ended up a gulch, unsure exactly where I was. I eventually managed to get myself back on the Black Canyon Trail.
You are not lost unless you both don’t know where you are and don’t know how to get to where you want to be.
The BCT was damp from light rain last night. Temperatures have also been increasing. So, once the sun was fully up, illuminating the various washes and spurs, I was hoping to enjoy some quality flora.
The first color I saw was an orange Aravaipa Running trail ribbon.
Four miles north of Bumble Bee, I turned up a wash to do a wee bit of mine exploring. The topo indicated a vertical shaft, but I did not find it, nor any evidence of past human presence other than a man made retaining wall paralleling the wash. Near the end of the wall, there was a thin metal plate across the wall. I could not pull it out, or peer past it. I wonder if it was covering an adit?
Finally, two thirds of the way into my hike, I spotted a flower, a yellow wiry lotus. And … that was it. One flower all day long. 
Due to the lack of flowers, I called it quits at the oasis, rather than continue on Black Canyon Trail segment #10 to Cordes. Not only did I avoid the subsequent Sunset Point brush fire, but my wife & I had time to stop at historical Rock Springs Cafe for lunch and a slice of their best-in-Arizona pie.  🥧
Hike Video: [ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation None
One. Just one. |
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Government Spring |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | I don't know what it was pumping, but the spring box was full, with a fair amount of algae. More a pond -- complete with reeds -- than a tank, it had quite a bit of water in it. Some bikepackers were filtering from it. | | _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
🥧
