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| Hiking | 20.03 Miles |
2,911 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.03 Miles | 9 Hrs 46 Mns | | 2.28 mph |
| 2,911 ft AEG | 59 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | While Davenport probably isn’t a peak I would have chosen on my own, it sounded interesting, as did the other options given, and I’m glad I was able to get this one done.
After deciding to not use Karl’s 4Runner as a boat, we parked at the dam and got started to some crisp temps. I was delighted, and considering I hadn’t brought a jacket anyway, stuck with just a light long-sleeved shirt. Warmed up within a couple of minutes.
The road walk was pretty close to flat, pretty smooth, and the first few miles flew by.
Sears Trail was initially pretty easy to follow, got a little more vague, then turned into a cairn search where Karl and I bailed down to the wash while Bruce and Joe seemed to be able to continue following cairns. The wash was easy walking and we all met back up where the wash intersected the creek. After that, we stayed on the more-defined trail and continued uphill. To me, it seemed like Davenport Peak ahead of us had not gotten any closer after all these miles, while Joe assured me it was at least twice as close as the last time I complained.
Once on the off-trail, we continued heading uphill through catclaw, prickly pear, yucca, and a bunch of other sharp vegetation. Bruce and I contoured slightly more to the west before heading up to the ridge. I managed to roll a rock out from under my foot and did a hard sit on my pumpkin, but avoided landing in a cactus. I will NOT be posting any pics of that bruise. Met up with Joe and Karl’s route after that, then we took a short break with the peak looming above.
After that, the incline got real and we made our way up to the peak. Steep, loose in places, and just up. Once on a ridge of sorts, the rocks were more stable and it was a fun scramble to the highpoint, arriving a couple of minutes before noon. Amazing views in all directions while we had lunch and enjoyed the nice weather. No names in the register since 2014.
Left the peak to the west. Initially, although very steep, the rocks were pretty stable, although Bruce tried to loosen up a couple of them. The good rock didn’t last enough and it became a slippy, slidy descent down the ridge. I semi-scooted in a few places, but managed to not fall. As the steepness lessened, the ridge curved around to the west and north. Just before reaching Davenport Wash, it got steep again, was like walking on ball bearings, and we had to detour slightly to get to the wash.
Reasonably easy walking in the wash, which had a nice light flow of water. Lots of evidence of significant flooding at some point. The wash was enjoyable but slow at times while we negotiated keeping our feet dry and the debris strewn about.
We left the wash and headed over to Bruce’s “interesting rocks”, which were kind of like a mini Papago Park. It was fun working through the maze of rocks, ridges, and gullies on the grippy surface. Neat area, with sort of a Utah or Mars feel.
Once on Davenport Wash trail it was an easy road walk back west. Lots of tall grass, but the trail/road sees plenty of traffic and the grass was flattened. Some neat views off to both sides of the trail. Once back on the original road walk, those miles went by quickly again.
Fun day, with plenty of fun conversation. Kind of nice to bookend the week with twenty mile hikes. |
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| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
). After about a mile of following the winding cairn path, we passed an extremely tall saguaro, and the trail became more defined again as it climbed up between some nice limestone cliffs.
creek is flowing well and clear
On the return we took a ridge down and into Davenport Wash. I'd been up part of it from the bottom and from Andrea spring but not quite this far. It was a bit slow going but fun with water, alcoves, pinnacles, massive boulders and near the end a red tailed hawk.
. Good to "meet" Taylor, who I work with, but didn't previously know was friends with Richard!
