|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 2.63 Miles |
1,150 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.63 Miles | 5 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.66 mph |
| 1,150 ft AEG | 3 Hrs 40 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | The Belmont Mountain Range is north of Tonopah, and south of Wickenburg.
The high point of the range is designated as Peak 3137, and that's where surveyors set the Belmont benchmark in 1948.
This whole range (and high point) should not to be confused with a small stand-alone 'Belmont Mountain', which is just west of the range.
The Belmont Azimuth Mark is in the flat desert, just N of the meandering Beer Bottle Wash, and northwest of Belmont BM. The Azimuth Mark was an easy find. From there, I continued driving Vulture Mine Rd, to my chosen trailhead to get up Peak 3137.
My TH was at a defunct mine, which is on a weak road off Vulture Mine Rd. Weak, meaning high clearance and 4WD. In fact, the Vulture Mine Rd in that area also qualifies for at least a high clearance transport. I accessed a southwest ridge from the defunct mine.
My research showed that many hikers, using this southwest ridge, have a 6 to 8 mile hike distance, due to them not being able to get their vehicle to the actual mine. That extra distance is all 'road hiking'. I was lucky - No road hiking.
This chosen ridge has about nine or ten rock filled boulder bumps, large and medium size. You can traverse to the side, around some of them, and others you can't. Some bumps you must go up, over the top, and then down the other side.
Through my expert skill and cunning, (OH, and knowledge from another hiker's info), I was able to eliminate two of the largest bumps altogether, by descending off the ridge to a wash, then up, through a small saddle, then up to the ridgeline again. After that maneuver, I still had one high bump to go, before the final climb up to the high point and benchmark.
To look at this whole ridge system up close was, at first, intimidating. (jagged, non uniform ridge obstacles, and possible exposure).
However, when you take each part separately, it's very manageable. This ridge is mostly stable rocks and boulders, with minimal scree.
I just took my time, and side-stepped rock bumps when I could. Going up, side-stepping to the right, (mostly) will prevent any exposure.
You can't miss the benchmark disk, as it's right at the high point of Peak 3137. You can't miss the reference mark #1 disk either, as it's only 12 feet away.
However, you'll have to do a search for RM #2. It's over 63 feet away from the BM disk, through a load of boulders. Take a nice walk and you'll locate it.
All in all, a very fine hike - Just a bit tedious at times, with all those 'rock pile' bumps to navigate. |
| _____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
) Atop the Belmonts, we signed in and enjoyed the view, wanting to extend the day.
