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| Hiking | 9.97 Miles |
1,636 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.97 Miles | 3 Hrs 27 Mns | | 3.01 mph |
| 1,636 ft AEG | 8 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I parked below the gate on High Peak Road, but around the corner and out of sight from the paved road. This road is in good condition and hiking was quick and easy. About a mile and a half up there's an old road closed sign and from this point on, even administrative use seems to be minimal. I even encountered several downed trees that had not been cleared this spring, unlike the trees in the first 1.5 miles.
After an unburned beginning, most of the remainder of the road is through severe burn. Thickets of aspen have begun to grow again, but there are still many areas of charred soil and no regrowth. This would not be a wise place to be during an electrical storm. Eventually you gain a view of Hawk, but Plain View blocks the true summit. The final climb makes an annoying corkscrew around the peak, but affords excellent views down into the Gila River Valley before you have to endure the mess of downed trees and boulders on the peak while searching for the high point.
I found a single reference mark, but not a second one, nor the benchmark. There were a couple of cairns marking the summit but I found no register.
Skipping the corkscrew road, I took a more direct line back down, observing the many new fir seedlings that had been recently planted. Half appeared to have died already. Hopefully the others are able to take hold. The "soil" here is much more sand than soil, perhaps a result of the burn, or just no vegetation to help hold moisture.
I took a side trip to Plain View Peak (unique!  ) where I spooked a deer feeding on some new grass. From there, it was quick work back to the truck. I ventured a bit down the Big Creek Trail, which is in a severe burn area. The tread is still mostly visible, but the erosion and deadfall is pretty severe. I saw no sign of the connector trail but didn't put much effort into finding it either. That one might be maintained in the future?
It was nice to cross this one off the list. All 15 done now. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
