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| Hiking | 18.50 Miles |
6,700 AEG |
| | Hiking | 18.50 Miles | 14 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.29 mph |
| 6,700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Mission complete. This is not a breath taking destination nor is this non-4WD/non-watercraft true hike approach for the timid. The weather cooperated from about 34-60 with only light breezes for the most part.
We started at 4am. 3 hours hiking in the dark and ended with 1 hour in the dark after sunset. The pre dawn hike was in near freezing temps. The first hour was bearable with layers and lack of wind. Although we could see our hearty breath for the next two hours it wasn't cold being on the move.
On the first failed attempt we made it to within 1.5mi of the cave in 5 hours. Just a little faster on this trip. Then 3 hours to conquer the final furlongs. Hells Hip Pocket is wildly beautiful in the inner reaches. We had to work away from one side slot. I'm not sure at this point if it's doable down to Blue Tank. If it is it's wickedly awesome for one slotted stretch.
Further up in Hells Hip Pocket, still in the ravine we came to the slabbed end with a chokestone boulder to negotiate. This was followed by a couple tiers to a sloping mountain top. From the top I knew our destination based on having the topos etched in my mind.
We first came to the cave from above and just slightly west. I steped out on a perch and finally laid my eyes on this almost mythical alcove laden in disturbing history. It looked impossible to approach from our position. Luckily I had researched this from across the river and knew we had to skirt west, down and back over.
The cave was larger than I anticipated yet more shallow from all the diggings. It really is hidden from 10-20 yards out due to the slope. It's also guarded well by thick vegetation. I found out a couple interesting things about it's position that will be in the hike description.
Thanks to everybody (hikers, historians & dutch hunters too) that made this possible with research over the years. Especially to member Chazz_Reinhold for iron clad undisputed facts. None of which would have been possible without the help of superman Bob. The scrambles would have been out of my league on my own. I likely would have turned around without the support too. Thanks Bob! The man is nuts and is hiking the Superstition Ridgeline as I type... Whereas I can barely walk as my feet hurt so bad from wearing boots. Not to mention he actually pushed my truck out of the sand.
Possibly the first ever video in Skeleton Cave made public https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4y4gm39uV8 |
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