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| Hiking | 7.07 Miles |
1,562 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.07 Miles | 7 Hrs 35 Mns | | 1.53 mph |
| 1,562 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 58 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The hike started at the wilderness boundary. To get close to Big Horn Mtn I hiked northerly on a dim road, then in and out of a deep, wide wash, before going up the mountain.
Saguaros and palo verdes rule the area, in the flat desert, and all the way to the top of Big Horn.
There are many choices on how to go up and down Big Horn. Some hikers use the entire SW ridge, which entails alot of ups, and drop-downs on vertical boulder bumps.
Other hikers, including me, went up a drainage next to that ridge, and intercepted the last portion of that SW, curving ridge.
The drainage up the mountain is wide, steep and full of boulders, and also full of mostly avoidable vegetation. I would say about 50 percent of the boulders in the drainage are usable and "solid in place". The other 50%, not so much. I took time testing many boulders before stepping on them.
I intercepted that SW ridge with only 2 or 3 vertical boulder bumps from the high point.
I had to laugh at the very last vertical bump, as it seemed to call out - "You ain't getting past me".
There's no other way up to the top from the SW, due drop offs on either side of that vertical bump. The only way to the top was to climb straight up that last vertical obstacle, which turned out to be easier than it looked.
Prior to the hike, I noticed previous triplogs & photos never included the actual Bighorn benchmark disk. There are photos of both reference mark disks, but not the actual 1936 BM disk.
Wood, wire, and nails are strewn around, from the Height of Light, but no disk. There's no true 'boulder outcrop' in the area of the BM placement - Just small, flakey rocks. Future surveyors (1949) stated the BM disk was "in bad shape". Not very descriptive.
So ……. After scraping, digging, and coaxing plants to move etc, I declare the BM disk is gone.
I took an inordinate amount of time searching, measuring, etc for the little disk, then reluctantly gave up the search.
Views on top are great in all directions.
After quite awhile on top, I descended the peak the same way I got up there. Again, knowing the steep drainage was full of unstable boulders, I took my time and tested just about every step.
All in all, it was a nice hike in a rather remote area. |
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Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
It was a relentless force of nature. I would not be at all surprised if the wind gusts were over 30mph. I was constantly having to gather myself as I moved up the slope between chollas and rocks. I was half way up the first hill and thinking of desert boonie and how from the freeway the Big Horn “was begging to be hiked.” I was seriously questioning the sanity of that sentiment and this was only on the first hill 
Reaching the top of the first hill I was somewhat taken aback to see two more “hills” between me and Big Horn. At that point I made two decisions. One not to look up. And two, to stay on the east side of the mountain, (the wind coming from the west). This kind of worked. It was muuuuccchhhhhh easier not having to fight the wind with every step. However, about half way the second “hill” I ran smack into a cholla. 
I took a few minutes pulling stickers out of my arm and leg, but luckily the clothing protected me from most of the cacti. Despite the wind, I started following the ridgeline as I neared the top of the third “hill”. The climb just made sense to follow it. With the wind at my back, at times, I finally made it to the top! 
We may need a new one. I really worked for this peak. I reeaaalllly wanted to sign it! Oh well. I put a wooden stick in a dwarf palo verde to mark my accomplishment. (However, if anyone from HAZ goes up there in the near future and finds it, please add Mt98dew 
I made it). 
Route 
Thanks Slick Willie!
. Fell once and was lucky to have a bandanna in my back pocket. Great views up top. The route down was easier than the way up. I had to really watch every step and even so sent a few rocks sliding down. Fun hike overall!.
