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| Hiking | 5.50 Miles |
1,400 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.50 Miles | 4 Hrs 40 Mns | | 1.38 mph |
| 1,400 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I have made several hikes through the Upper and Lower Barks Canyon since posting a triplog of my first attempt to do the Upper Barks Loop. (09-24-2015). See also Lower Barks triplog (01-09-2016).
The hikearizona.com website and Carlson's book were helpful tools in my quest. Reading about it, though, cannot compare to the wonders that await from a persistence of trial and error route-finding and bush-whacking.
The Lower Barks, in January 2016, had pool after pool with flowing water and a "mine" exploration - encounter with bats. I had to do that hike three times to get it right. Tributary washes are a "catclaw" haven; no fun.
I did the Upper Barks several times before accessing the correct northern terminus at The Terrapin Trail, just north of the saguaro with the low overhanging arm.
Today, I had a different loop in mind - Upper Barks to the Lone Pine Tree on the Fremont Saddle.
On my first hike, as I reached the last saddle near the salt lick area, I noticed a large oval-shaped boulder with a cairn. I know it would take me in the opposite direction of the intended Terrapin trail terminus, but I decided to investigate.
It took me to what seemed to be a dead-end. So I decided to stick to my original plan. Little did I know how close I was to the Fremont Saddle Overlook by the Lone Pine Tree.
Okay, that is enough background for this hike.
I got a late start - 11:15 A.M. departing from the Peralta Trail Head. From all of my previous "Barks" hikes, I knew the approximate distance and time needed to complete the hike before dark. I got back to the trail head just before 4:00 P.M.
By Noon, I had come to the junction of the Bluff Springs / Upper Barks trails. Hiking familiar terrain, I reached the first saddle https://youtu.be/fR ... 6iQ4, second saddle, and final saddle by 1:00 P.M. Major landmarks included the Geronimo Cave Mountain and rock formations, one resembled a Disney character. There is a large rock shaped like a finger or fingers. The Weaver's Needle was an imposing presence, also. On previous hikes there were deer in the secluded canyon. None today, however.
At this saddle I am presented with several hiking choices. The salt-lick area is below, and just 0.1 miles from the Terrapin Trail junction. To the northwest one could bushwhack down and up to Needle Canyon with a possible connection to the Weaver's Needle Crosscut Trail. The third choice is to hike towards the oval-shaped boulder on the plateau to the west, my left. Today, I intend to finish what I started eight (8) months ago - Find a way to the other side of some blasted , blustery boulders. It would not be easy; terrain on the other side is new to me. The exact location of the Fremont Saddle and Lone Pine Tree were also unknown. Whatever the obstacle, I was determined to accomplish the mission.
The elevation at this "three choices" saddle is 3,400 feet. The Lone Pine Tree is 3,800 feet. My hike will go down a little before gaining the additional 400 feet. https://youtu.be/j4 ... BfzQ
Route-finding and bushwhacking are now in play for the next three quarters of an hour. At one point, I followed a different trail; more rugged, and the wrong direction. I think it would eventually lead to an overlook. Upon reaching the blasted, blustery, boulders I noticed several rocks stacked neatly, about head high. It was at this point that I had turned back several months ago. After moments of careful study I discovered the surprising answer to the puzzle of getting to the other side. No photo! No video! No, I will not spoil the surprise! If someone else knows, lets leave it for the next hiker to discover.
Even after reaching the other side, and after a short break, I still had some close-quarters hiking to do. Wouldn't you know it, I did not get very far when I noticed that I was not wearing my sunglasses. So, I had to hike back, just a short distance, to retrieve them. This part of the hike reminded me of the WNCC. https://youtu.be/Ne ... PCqE At least I haven't gotten lost, yet.
One more small hill to attain and the pine tree plateau of the Fremont Saddle would be before me. There had been a trail to this point, but I lost it for a short distance. https://youtu.be/BJ ... Ovg4 Soon, I connected to the main trail leading to the pine tree, which I reached at 2:15 P.M. It had been three hours from the Peralta Trail Head and two and a quarter hours hiking the Upper Barks.
yes, Yes; YES!! Eight months of planning and practicing paid off. And, . . . I did not get lost, which for me is amazing.
I trust you have enjoyed and learned something useful from this description. I will try to include photos, videos, and GPS coordinates of major points of interest. |
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