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| | | Shaka Cave - Carney Waterfall - Two Turks, AZ | | | |
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Shaka Cave - Carney Waterfall - Two Turks, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.02 Miles |
2,191 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.02 Miles | 8 Hrs 23 Mns | | 1.82 mph |
| 2,191 ft AEG | 1 Hour 46 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | We were looking for something a little shorter and easier today with @TBoneKathy recovering from a minor leg injury. We planned to start with a short hike to Shaka Cave and Carney Springs Waterfall so she could test the leg, and if it was feeling good, we'd tack on some other destinations to extend the hike. We started from Lost Goldmine East Trailhead around sunrise and were the only vehicle in the parking lot when we hit the trail. It was a little breezy, but already comfortable at ~60°.
Someone has painted white arrows on a lot of the rocks along the trail to the Wave Cave, some with "WC" added next to the arrows...especially pointless along such an obvious trail, even more so when all someone has to do to find the Wave Cave is follow the line of people. We veered right toward Carney Springs and took the social trail over to Shaka Cave. I noticed a few small pottery sherds just outside the cave when we arrived, and a few more, including a thicker piece, set in a recession in the rock wall above the grinding holes near the entrance. This cave is unique in that it's found in a standalone outcropping of rocks rather than in a canyon wall like so many others. It's a good size natural shelter and easily accessible, so it's not hard to imagine why it was an appealing habitation spot.
From there, we continued over to Carney Springs Waterfall, knowing it wouldn't be flowing today. Even dry, I was glad we made the short hike over there to check out it out...I'd noticed that spot from Carney Springs Trail over the years but didn't realize there was a social trail leading over there, and it's worthy of a return after it's rained.
TboneKathy was feeling pretty good, so we decided to extend the day. We considered hiking up to Robber's Roost and looping back on the cave route, but we decided to head over to Turk's Head instead. We've both hiked the Robber's Roost loop a few times, and we'd already seen 5-10 groups going up Carney Springs Trail and didn't want to deal with crowds at Robber's Roost. To be fair, some of the groups were probably lost Wave Cave hikers who weren't planning on going to Robber's Roost...
There were two people at Shaka Cave when we passed it on the way back, and the crowds were really starting to pour in as we got back on the Wave Cave route. Just as we passed the barbed wire fence and started west on Lost Goldmine, a group of lost hikers asked how to get to the Wave Cave. Apparently the giant opening visible in the canyon wall and white arrows every 15 feet still aren't obvious enough...
We hiked around to the west side of Turk's Head and started the climb. I hadn't seen anyone on the way up, but just as I approached the top and got a good look at the balanced rock, I heard voices and was disappointed to see a group of five at the summit. Fortunately, they were just starting down, so I ended up having the peak to myself for the few minutes I spent at the top. [ youtube video ] I didn't see a summit register up there, but recent triplogs show one up there, so I must have missed it. On the way down, another group of three was on their way up. At least they didn't ask for Wave Cave directions...
Since we were so close to Old Turk's Head, I wanted to head over there before we hiked out. @TBoneKathy waited below while I hiked around the east side. It wasn't a bad bushwhack...a little steep in places, but it was easy to avoid the worst of the brush, and I didn't encounter much catclaw or many thorns. I approached the peak from the north, which provided a fairly straightforward path to the top without much loose rock. I found the flatter/wider summit more enjoyable than Turk's Head...and not just because there were no people around this time  . [ youtube video ]
I headed back down, and it was a flat, easy hike back to Lost Goldmine Trailhead. It was a beautiful day, and this was the first hike of the year where the temperature topped 80°. It was nice to see four new destinations in the Superstitions despite all the people out on the trails today...but that's to be expected on these easier hikes around Peralta. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. The trail was easy to follow though and I was soon up top enjoying the views. 
Thought about adding a circumference of Turks Head but decided against and headed back, passed only one couple heading out on Lost Goldmine on my way back.
