Pena Blanca Lake Loop - 1 member in 5 triplogs has rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
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| Hiking | 2.81 Miles |
321 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.81 Miles | | | |
| 321 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Really a short hike to see how two old (10+) year cameras with small sensors could still work. One is a Fuji bridge and the other a very early oly pen camera. I think I prefer the Fuji this trip and most of the photos will be from it. Twas a bit windy so the lake choppy but people out fishing and as I was leaving the lake jumpers were starting up from the two rock shelfs. The falls of course were not running.
I know folks now are all about their phones for photos but I am still old school. Interesting the progress with CCD and CMOS sensors and the processing. I think some of my older photos still better than a lot of my newer ones. But that can be due to my getting into more photogenic places too. I have some prints framed from fairly small MP cameras that look great. In fact thinking about getting a super cheap 2.2 MP camera with a supposed fabulous sensor just to see what I can do with it. Maybe going backwards is good---sometimes! |
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| Hiking | 2.81 Miles |
321 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.81 Miles | 2 Hrs 45 Mns | | 5.62 mph |
| 321 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 15 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Yes, the break time vs the total time is correct.
Took some friends to the lake to hike to the dam. Parked on the opposite side as the boat ramp.
The toughest part of the trail is getting from the parking lot down to the lake.
Short version is that one of the children kept falling down because he's from phoenix and only walks on sidewalks.
Less that half way to the dam he fell on a cactus... twice.
When I helped him up I ended up covering my hands with them.
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We sat for about 2 hours picking hundreds of tiny tiny tiny slivers out of his hands and arms.
They were in his shirt and pants and shoes.
After getting our hands picked we stood up and he touched his pants and got them all over him again.
Then, If that wasn't enough, he fell and opened up his palm.
Thank goodness for a well stocked first aid kit.
He had so many in his pants that he couldn't walk so... yes he did.. and wore my hiking jacket around his waist to preserve his modesty.
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I am eternally grateful to the man who took us to the boat dock in his boat.
Of course getting down to his boat he fell head first down the bank and I managed to stop him a foot or less from falling in the lake head first.
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He never cried or complained. On the way back his take on it all was, "well that was an adventure wasn't it."
Then we all drove to the border wall on FR 222.
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Tomorrow they are coming over again.
My recommendation is that we walk around a basketball court. |
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| Hiking | 1.25 Miles |
455 AEG |
| | Hiking | 1.25 Miles | 3 Hrs 10 Mns | | 0.65 mph |
| 455 ft AEG | 1 Hour 15 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is not the lake trail.
1-3-2021
White Cliffs at Pena Blanca
Distance – 1.1.miles
Elevation gain – 454 feet
Directions:
I-19
Exit 12 heading West to Pena Blanca Lake.
Where the roads crests above the lake there is a 3 way intersection.
The white cliffs are to the left (south)
Right before this about 20 yards is a cattle crossing with a small pull out area.
Park here.
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Across the road is a cow path that leads to the jump off point for the white rocks.
This is a great place to learn how to rock hop. The rock is very grippy.
We played the lava game. (If you have to go off the rock onto the grass then you lose. There are more rules/perks to the game but just about everyone knows the lava game.)
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From the entrance onto the white rock its just a matter of finding a way up to the highest point.
There is a barbed wire fence right at the base of the white rock and another hallway to the upper cliffs. It’s easy to negotiate the catclaw without getting scratched.
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It’s a good idea to take time to check out the rock croppings to look for balanced rocks and a small window. There is also a small ledge facing North that’s a nice place to have a rest. Around the base of the cliffs there are quite a few small caves. At the second 3 way intersection there is a gigantic balanced boulder.
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We hiked to the highest point of the two obvious peaks and took a break to look at the boats and people on the lake.
We spent about 3 hours here climbing and jumping around. |
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| Hiking | 2.81 Miles |
321 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.81 Miles | 2 Hrs | | 1.41 mph |
| 321 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Great day to hike around the lake and the check out some Nearby cliffs.
The photo album only has photos of the cliffs.
The lake trail is a little less than 3 miles long.
The cliffs involve some cool rock scrambling spread over 2 miles round trip.
It's mostly in the shade. |
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| Hiking | 2.81 Miles |
321 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.81 Miles | 1 Hour 3 Mns | | 2.68 mph |
| 321 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Haircut time again so this time in addition to Atascosa Lookout I decided to go check out Pena Blanca Lake. As it would turn out there is a 3 mile trail that skirts the lake. I talked to a Forest Service guy who gave me the scoop on it.
For the most part it is easy to follow with fantastic views of the lake. There are a couple sections that are overgrown and you may get off track like I did. However, if you pay attention you will find the trail again in short order.
This one is worth doing if in the area. |
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average hiking speed 1.58 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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