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| Hiking | 6.90 Miles |
2,874 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.90 Miles | 4 Hrs 22 Mns | | 1.58 mph |
| 2,874 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Note: Stats are for both Bob Thompson and Montezuma peaks. I ended up doing a loop and hitting both peaks.
My original plan for Tues was to hike Huachuca peak starting at "gate 7". I drove to the Fort Huachuca visitor's center and got a permit for free which is good for one year. This pass allows me to be drive anywhere on the base and access some of the facilities, I suppose. I was told that Garden canyon could only be accessed from the base and that there MIGHT be some road closures that would prevent me from getting to "gate 7". But, I decided to try driving up anyway. Once I got past the Upper Garden canyon picnic area I could see a closed gate that was locked. From this point, I figured that hiking Huachuca peak would have been 18 miles roundtrip and it was too long. I drove to the exit and decided to drive to Ash canyon to hike both Bob Thompson peak and Montezuma peak. Bob Thompson peak was longer in terms of distance so I decided to start with that first. I was surprised that there was a pretty nice trail going all the way to Bob Thompson peak. Then, when I got back to the saddle, I noticed a trail heading West along the ridgeline. I thought this was probably the best way to get to Montezuma peak. The trail only got me part of the way, and I had to bushwhack the final 1/4 mile or more. Going down, I went Northwest, zigzagging a bit until I ran into a canyon. Once I got to the canyon, I heard some branches breaking about 100 feet higher than I was. This could have been a bear or another person, I suppose. I didn't stay to check it out. The canyon was shaded and very nice. I saw a trail going down the East side of this canyon. I followed it until I ran into the 4x4 road heading down, then took the road down to the bottom.
When I got to the very bottom, I saw a border patrol agent and we talked for 30 minutes! He says there's a lot of migrant activity and drug smuggling going on in this area. Apparently, the saddle between Bob Thompson and Montezuma are quite active, but I didn't see anyone when I was up there. As for the sounds I heard, it could have been a bear or another person.
Timeline:
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10:55 am (0 mi) - start hike from Ash canyon trailhead
11:00 am (0.16 mi) - turn left on FS 4784, took steep 4x4 road all the way up to the saddle
11:55 am (1.6 mi) - arrived at saddle, continued on trail
12:50 pm (2.47 mi) - arrived at Bob Thompson peak - saw a pile of rocks but did not see a registry
2:02 pm (3.43 mi) - back at the saddle. followed trail in the direction of Montezuma peak
2:40 pm (4.05 mi) - followed ridgeline trails to the base of Montezuma peak, then started bushwhack/climb
3:55 pm (4.54 mi) - summited Montezuma peak
4:10 pm (4.54 mi) - started steep descent down (mostly bushwhack with faint trails in some areas)
5:30 pm (5.6 mi) - reached canyon, found a trail leading down from inside the canyon, took trail down
5:38 pm (5.75 mi) - reached 4x4 road, took road down to the bottom
6:20 pm (6.85 mi) - back at the trailhead
Strava said my total moving time was 4 hours 22 minutes
AEG for both peaks combined = 2,874 |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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Route Editor
Route Scout
The trail picks-up across this chasm about 30 - 40' ahead... The only thing is the overt 500-600' drop - this is the end of my tether for solo hiking. Not another step! A slow 180 turn and reverse course - as a nice break on that stone patio back a ways will do just fine... Bob Thompson Peak is baggable in a small group and with a bit of climbing experience / gear to work around the section outlined.
