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| | | Fraesfield Mountain Wandering, AZ | | | |
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Fraesfield Mountain Wandering, AZ
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| Hiking | 5.04 Miles |
852 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.04 Miles | 5 Hrs 22 Mns | | 2.48 mph |
| 852 ft AEG | 3 Hrs 20 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The northern section of Scottsdale’s preserve (north of Dynamite Blvd/Rio Verde Dr) is mostly flat desert with the exception of five mountains.
Cone Mountain is the smallest and Little Granite Mtn is the largest. Fraesfield Mountain appears to be second largest, at least in horizontal area. I had been atop all except Fraesfield, so on Halloween, I did some wandering on Fraesfield. I was surprised at how much horizontal area it occupies.
Starting at Fraesfield Trailhead, I wandered around all of Fraesfield Mountain’s 4 or 5 smaller peaks, (Some maps include all these lesser peaks as part of Fraesfield Mtn).
I then spent an inordinate amount of time on the tallest peak, in the slim hopes of finding a benchmark. All I had to go on was the triangle symbol on maps, as I came up empty researching the mountain. The top surface is littered with mostly ‘toaster-size’ rocks, all too small and unstable for a survey disk, but just the right size to ‘hide’ a disk. Well, I think I ‘rearranged’ at least 100 rocks and had no success. More research is needed.
I did find 4 rods pounded into the ground in a very odd array, plus I found some wood & wire. I also found remnants of white ‘blaze’ material, possibly used to make an “X”, for aerial surveying. But again, no metal disk BM.
The rest of the hike was spent off the mountain, checking out some other things.
I did find a different “X” blaze, a refurbished catchment, a flood control benchmark, plus I took a good look at the area that once was ‘Black Hills Earthen dam’, probably built by Brown’s Ranch years ago. Scottsdale bulldozed it away once they bought the land, but trees and lush green plant life still remain. I assume the thick greenery will take a few years to wither and return the wash area to normal desert.
The actual trails I used in the flat desert were excellent, and it appears there’s more on Scottsdale’s agenda. Good for them.
Happy Halloween !!! |
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Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
