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| Hiking | 4.80 Miles |
1,030 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.80 Miles | 2 Hrs 18 Mns | | 2.09 mph |
| 1,030 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Trying to shake off thoughts of a twisty, snow covered highway with no guard rails, I drove up the Swift Trail, against my better judgement. I had been wanting to experience the Pinaleno crest in winter since moving to Safford, and my plan today was Heliograph Peak. I carefully navigated sheets of solid ice for several long, switchbacking miles between Twilight Canyon and Ladybug Saddle, passing others who had stopped to play in the plentiful snow. I reached the Shannon Pulloff at 9066 feet, among 3 foot snowbanks created by snowplows. I layered up in the icy wind and sub-freezing temps, pulled on the balaclava, and headed up the gated fire road to Heliograph Peak at 3:30 pm, immediately encountering a flock of rather tame turkeys. Hiking the road was easier than expected despite the 12+ inches of soft snow, due to crews having driven a snow cat up to the peak recently.
After an hour and a half of trudging through snow, and alternately removing and adding layers, I reached the top. Leaving the snow cat tracks, I post-holed my way to the summit below the fire tower, took a few photos, then headed back, as sunset was fast approaching. With a storm front on the way in, the sunset was spectacular, and I lingered high on the slopes of Heliograph, enjoying every minute of it. Hmmm...if only I had skis for the return trip. Now that would be fun!
I reached my truck at dark, and began a very slow and somewhat hairy drive home on the Swift Trail. Four wheel high and low gears on the icy stretches were greatly comforting, and all went well. Tonight's animal sightings on the way home consisted of 3 individual foxes.
What a great trip! |
| _____________________
| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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