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White Tanks Western Cuestas - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Dec 04 2023
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 Guides 14
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,378
 Triplogs 287

61 male
 Joined Dec 20 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
White Tanks Western CuestasPhoenix, AZ
White Tanks Western Cuestas
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 04 2023
Barrett • Triplogs 287
Hiking3.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.00 mph
300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Life is unpredictable.
20 months ago I did a 14 mile day to reach Royal Arch and I was bulletproof.
12 months ago I had total hip replacement on one side.
6 months ago I herniated my L3 and L4 and can't seem to get things working again without pain.
It seems that my bulletproof days are behind me.
I've spent a fair amount of time reflecting on my good fortune in having a life full of more adventure than most people will ever experience and coming to terms with falling apart about ten years before I had expected. It used to be I was driven to always go somewhere new, bag a new peak, and now I find myself drawn to the places I hiked years ago as they have become something special and sacred. The Grand Canyon will always be home for me in a way, but for now I can't go back when she is so beyond what I can do. When I decided to get away for a night under the stars the next place I thought of was the Cuestas.
I wrote the description 8 years ago for this amazing place and I have yet to see another photoset of someone checking it out so it feels like it belongs to me.
I actually did three hikes in two days, each about 1 mile to the three smallest cuestas near the south camp. I used trekking poles and went slow, being careful on the off trail I used to scramble over without a care. Everything went fine. I brought speakers from home to listen to music outside in the evening, a coyote howled near my truck as I lay in the bed looking up at the stars and in the morning I made pour-over coffee and cooked scrambled eggs over my alcohol stove and tucked them in a burrito to eat while the sun rose and life was good.
I suppose there's a chance that things will heal and I'll be capable of what I consider adventure again but it's probably wiser to accept the one-mile hikes and make the most of just being out under those stars.
Or is it perhaps wiser to realize that is the way it has always been. There is no guarantee that tomorrow holds anything in store for us and making the most of being under those stars is all we have control over?
_____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense.
  1 archive
Feb 12 2015
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 Guides 14
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,378
 Triplogs 287

61 male
 Joined Dec 20 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
White Tanks West Middlestuff, AZ 
White Tanks West Middlestuff, AZ
 
Car Camping avatar Feb 12 2015
Barrett • Triplogs 287
Car Camping4.30 Miles 1,129 AEG
Car Camping4.30 Miles   15 Hrs      1.23 mph
1,129 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
White Tanks Western Cuestas
Partners none no partners
Took advantage of the calm before the storm at work to hit the Sun Valley Parkway, arriving at South Camp with just enough time to scramble up "Pee Wee" for last light.
Returned to the Taco to watch the slow fade from the gravity lounger 8) before heading out with the tripod and LED's for some night shots.
Never one to sleep solid the first night, I awoke 20 times to stars overhead, finally rising to Coyote calls and the glow in the east.
Explored between 1908' and 1982' in the morning light, once again amazed at how something that looks so bland from a distance can be so complex and unexpected. :D
Satisfied at having covered the area enough to put together a Description, I returned to my truck, another adventure to process, another chapter.
And it was only Friday morning. :y:
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Saguaro
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ Rides
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Barry Goldwater Peak
_____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense.
  2 archives
Jan 30 2015
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 Guides 14
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,378
 Triplogs 287

61 male
 Joined Dec 20 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
White Tank West 1908', AZ 
White Tank West 1908', AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 30 2015
Barrett • Triplogs 287
Hiking5.10 Miles 745 AEG
Hiking5.10 Miles   3 Hrs   42 Mns   1.70 mph
745 ft AEG      42 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
White Tanks Western Cuestas
Partners none no partners
Having seen some interesting alcoves on the side of 1908' on my Barry Goldwater bag with SpiderLegs, the rain forecast tipped the scales for a day off work to play in the rain. :D
Parked at the road washout 45 minutes before dawn and proceeded on foot across the flats, enjoying the petrichor and creosote released by the soft spritz.
Ascended 1908' from the south, it's geology similar to 1982' - a wild mass of molten forms that surprise you with every turn. I'm getting nowhere with the geologic surveys, but hope to get it figured out before writing a description for this amazing area. Whatever it is, it rocks. Solid, chock full of holds, and obviously prone to both alcoves and arches. :)
Following the formations snaking ridge, I found at least 2 dozen recesses large enough to provide shelter from rain, along with half a dozen arches and windows.
The low clouds and fog drifted by above and below, birdsong and raindrops in a 360 degree minimalist symphony as I took a break out of the drizzle before completing the ridge and following the eastern base around to complete my lasso.
The fog reduced visibility to about 300 yards on the way back, so I got a chance to rely on compass alone for the 2.5 mile return across the flats. A little bit off, but otherwise a perfect ending to a perfect hike. One more trip for the stuff between 1982' and 1908', and I'll have enough info to put something together for other HAZzers to enjoy this White Tank geologic anomaly.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Honey Bee
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cag Shot  HAZ Food
_____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense.
  1 archive
Dec 20 2014
avatar

 Guides 14
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,378
 Triplogs 287

61 male
 Joined Dec 20 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
White Tank West Cuesta 1982', AZ 
White Tank West Cuesta 1982', AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2014
Barrett • Triplogs 287
Hiking1.50 Miles 581 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles   3 Hrs      1.50 mph
581 ft AEG   2 Hrs    Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
White Tanks Western Cuestas
Partners none no partners
While planning a western approach to Barry Goldwater Peak in the White Tanks, I came across a cool rock formation on Google Earth I later learned is called a Cuesta. (Mesas are flat-topped, but if the top slants, it is called a Cuesta). I decided to make a trip to confirm access to the area, which turned out to be worth it.
Cattle gates and no signage led to nice two-track which I followed in to park near the landmark. The sun crept over the Tanks as I found a route up on the east side that had solid rock and minimal exposure. :) From there I explored the slanted top of wild stone that looked molten, following the edge clockwise to see if there was any other way down.
I was rewarded with not only an easier downclimb on the west side, but a tunnel to boot. :D
Following the base around, I came across a number of grottos, one of which had a dry waterfall leading out of it's sheltered mouth. My guess is rain from on top of the mesa drains through the roof. 8)
Having had a blast, I made my way back to the truck, taking a few last shots of the Totally Doable Barry Ridgeline Approach for that future trip.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ Decal  Route - finding Labels
_____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense.
  1 archive
average hiking speed 1.36 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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