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| Hiking | 8.03 Miles |
1,796 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.03 Miles | 2 Hrs 52 Mns | | 3.13 mph |
| 1,796 ft AEG | 18 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | After hours of planning my second car camping mountain getaway, I was still torn as to which of the four ranges in question I would end up at first. Since I got a much later start than anticipated, (and as a result didn't think there was any chance of fitting in a hike), I resolved to make it a driving day, and headed for the two furthest away, (BRP and the Gila National Forest). I figured I would take 78 into New Mexico, and circle the BRP counterclockwise while hitting up hikes in both the BRP and the Gila National Forest; (and then if time permits hit up some stuff in the Pinalenos and/or Galiuros at the end on the way back to Tucson).
Well, shortly after turning onto 78, I couldn't resist firing up Route Scout topo to identify some of the awesome/beautiful mountains that surrounded me. As luck would have it, I noticed I was just down the road from the Maverick trailhead. The trail taking off from it looked to be about 3 to 3 1/2 miles one way... and best of all leads to a peak, "Maverick Hill." Despite the hundreds of waypoints and many trailheads I'd plotted in preparation for my trip, I somehow missed this one. Let's just say Route Scout topo was the hero of the day...
...cuz there are no signs for the trailhead on 78, (only for the nearby campsites); and even after pulling into the parking area for the trailhead, there are still no signs indicating that a trail even takes off from there).
I didn't start hiking until nearly 5:45 PM, (and figured I'd be coming back in the dark), but I wasn't too concerned since I didn't plan on bushwhacking. In the parking area, I chatted briefly with a very nice couple from the Tucson area who is familiar with the beginning part of the trail. They assured me that for most of the way it is very easy to follow and the footing is very good; and that I'd have no trouble coming back in pitch dark if I had a headlamp.
They were right on! For most of the way the "trail" is actually a jeep/ATV road, and the going is very fast, (I split just under 50 minutes for my first 3 miles, without feeling as though I was 'killing myself'). Somewhere between the 2 1/2 and 3 mile mark, the jeep road rather suddenly fades out and you're on what feels like a trail that is very well-defined; and the final short push to the summit feels a bit like bushwhacking, as the trail fades out and there appear to be a few routes. At this point I simply headed to the highpoint/the area marked X on the topo. I could not find a register, and the views were completely blocked, (even more so than the views from Mica Mtn), thanks to the surrounding trees.
However, as I started to meander around the mountain for better views, I noticed some very large cairns. I followed them, and before long they led to a cairn nestled behind some trees toward one edge of the summit.
There was a beautiful open meadow area to my left, (across which I glimpsed some amazing views!), and the small enclosed area to the right with another large cairn. I knew this had to be 'the end'/where I would find a register if there was going to be one … and sure enough there was one! The oldest signature I could find was from October 14, 1992, from Bob Moore who placed the register. There were only 11 names, with mine making number 12.
While it would've been nice to have more daylight to enjoy the views on the way down, the trade off was getting to witness perhaps the most beautiful sunset of my life! The sun appeared blood red/bright orange, (depending on the angle), and the surroundings sky was shades of pink and purple. The shape of the mountains in the direction of the setting sun, in combination with the display of colors, was just magnificent! I tried to capture it on camera, but the combination of a distance shot with a cell camera, (and the camera having a mind of its own when it comes to adjusting the lighting), resulted in a less than impressive shot.
Finally, I made a stop at the dam that is located about half a mile from the trailhead. It was pitch dark by that time, but with new batteries in my headlamp, I still got a decent view and captured somewhat decent photos.
Back at the parking area with 7.82 miles, I walked in circles in order to reach 8 mi for the day. Not too shabby for a driving day!  |
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| God save the Prom Queen, cuz [reality check!] AEG's King...! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
So, my own personal mountain range is once again pristine. 
). I enjoyed some nice hiking and almost continuous views from the ridgeline. The Mogollon Mountains (one of the coolest ranges ever) seemed so close! I made great time...until the trail dead ended a mile short of the peak. Continuing on, I eventually found what was left of the trail: jack squat! Seems to be typical of forest service trails, these days ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
After a fair amount of effort, I arrived on top of Maverick Hill. So, was there going to be a register on top of the peak? Yes. Not on what was the true summit (according to the map, anyway), but a few hundred feet east. I became the 5th person to sign the log, being the first person since 1998. This is what I mean about living WAY out in eastern AZ! After that, I found a nice little viewpoint, and sat down to eat a quick lunch in the increasingly strong wind. After continuously finding and then losing the "trail" on the way up, I was able to follow it pretty well on the way down, mapping it as best as I could with my gps, and building cairns. I stopped to examine the unusual hedgehog cacti I had been seeing, and came to the conclusion that they were Echinocereus viridiflorus, probably subspecie Chloranthus. I didn't think they grew in Arizona (I 'm sure most people don't give a crap, but I love cacti!)
