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| | | Arches & Top Hat via Hackamore, AZ | | | |
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Arches & Top Hat via Hackamore, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.70 Miles |
2,017 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.70 Miles | | | |
| 2,017 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | hikerdw and cannondalekid have done quite a few trips into the goldfields
today we planned to see pedestal arch via hackamore trailhead, courtesy of the route dave has posted
ray joined tibber and i for an 8:30 meet time
the last mile to the trailhead is a bit bumpy, but easily manageable by swerving around the dips
temps were slightly cool with a breeze to start with, warming up nicely to t-shirt conditions
set off on a road, passing the green thumb
next a horse trail, and i don't know how you guys find these trails other than trial and error
this took us to the 4wd road that goes right past top hat, so we hiked up to the summit
great views of the superstitions and goldfields from the summit 
took a slightly different route than john and i did last year, then dropped down the ridgeline to palo verde arch
headed back to the road, then the drainage, then another horse trail
about 3/4 mile of off trail heading up the pedestal arch
followed dave's route up, but angela spotted what we thought was a better route down - less brush, more slickrock and shorter
the arch was pretty cool; a new one for me
had lunch, took pictures and headed down
near the trail junction, there are some cool alcoves and even another arch, more like a tunnel in the rock base
be fun to explore this area more another time
finally headed back on our original route after a discussion of looping options that would have required more time
spotted keyhole arch near the green thumb, and that will require a hands on visit next time
finished up with tibber-provided beers and root beers
ray headed home while angela and i had tasty burgers at the mammoth steakhouse - thank you for dinner!
a fun day of exploring mostly new territory for me with good company and nice weather
the goldfields are amazing
i've been out there a half dozen times now, and feel like we've just seen a small percentage of what's available
several trailheads yet to start from and features to find
razorback knob and golden dome are high on my list
the off-trail isn't bad - mostly good footing but some cactus to avoid
the trails are unofficial, unsigned and not on any map
a good topo and study of tenny's book might be helpful |
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