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| | | Treasure - Hole - Roy Waits - Slaughterhouse, AZ | | | |
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Treasure - Hole - Roy Waits - Slaughterhouse, AZ
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| Hiking | 16.35 Miles |
3,134 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.35 Miles | 7 Hrs 44 Mns | | 2.34 mph |
| 3,134 ft AEG | 44 Mns Break | 12 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | WSW of the Bradshaws in the Weaver Mountains
For years the old standby joke and bottom of the list hikes to tackle was Jesus Canyon. Blah reviews, blah location, no one ever hikes out there, yadda yadda yadda. In all seriousness I've been eyeing Jesus Canyon since the 90's. There is an inspiring short blurb in the Scott S Warren bible of Arizona Wilderness.
While I couldn't whet the appetite of an eagle to follow Jesus... he drafted a route to double cross the namesake in a wilderness romp.
Constellation Road was recently graded. Currently a Toyota Corolla could handle this road at a good clip. The Dude Ranch as Sir Eagle calls it looked a little shack-ie. From the get go we needed to cross the Hassayampa RIVER twice. It just tickles my Elmo a river is flowing so close to Phoenix and rarely sees hikers. Senior Feather claims it runs year round but imma doutin'. Got our feet wet as it seemed hopeless. In hindsight a minute of tender bare foot terror may have been the prime choice. Soggy shoe syndrome all day...
We probably hit the best loop in the best weather with a healthy wildflower show. Three dogs greeted us in the short jaunt to the river. A nagging pit on my backside was not to my liking. Luckily after a couple minutes him and another retreated on a distant call from the ranch. A wall eyed lab russell terrier looking mix continued to tag along. As in tagged along for 14 miles. This guy was fit as a fiddle and ready for action.
We climbed steadily for almost five miles. First along the Treasure Trail. After 2.8 miles we got a tiny breather heading down to our first crossing of Jesus Canyon. Next up was the "Hole Trail". Seemed we'd never stop ascending but did just after sneaking over 4k. All of the trails encountered were better than anticipated maintenance wise. No signage, yet I'll take trail over signage anyday. Pants were nice the first mile or two. Probably only minimal blood loss tackled in shorts.
Bruce opted for Roy Waits and that turned out to be a great choice with nice distant views from the ridgeline. After a short stroll in Fools Canyon we made good on the loop carefully putting Slaughterhouse to use. Now 270 degrees around "The Needle" Bruce wanted to head up a canyon to avoid some of the river slog. A 30ft slick granite waterfall wasn't in the cards for our newfound canine friend. On the brightside this canyon was money all the way. A trickle flow of water with a spring breeze headwind. Ten minutes later our trusty wall eyed friend found a way back to the good life!
We finished up crossing back over Jesus Canyon and followed the Hassayampa back. Along that stretch a horseman and gal passed. In neato style the gal was a BLM ranger. They had several dogs in toe. After fourteen glorious miles our good buddy joined their posse abandoning us without even a goodbye...lol |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
More Fairy Duster than imaginable. Brittlebush took over several mountain slopes. Acres of trophy sized Desert Trumpet. A light mix throughout of the usual spring specimens. |
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