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| | | Eureka peak (7307) Huachucas, AZ | | | |
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Eureka peak (7307) Huachucas, AZ
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| Hiking | 10.99 Miles |
3,191 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.99 Miles | 9 Hrs | | 1.22 mph |
| 3,191 ft AEG | | | | |
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none
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| no partners | | Note: I hiked Eureka peak in conjunction with the nearby Rattlesnake peak and the nearby Peak 7303, however Peak 7303 was quite difficult to get to from this starting point.
I'll put all stats here for all 3 peaks. In general, the hike to Eureka and Rattlesnake peaks was enjoyable. I found it to be very difficult to get to Peak 7303 from Rattlesnake peak and it was one of the worst bushwhacks I've done getting down to the saddle North of Peak 7303. I could have saved this peak for the following day and approached from the South, but I was only 0.25 air miles away from the peak and committed to it.
The AZ trail was in good shape but pretty rocky in some areas, which made the hiking slower than normal. The trail going from the AZ trail to Eureka saddle was steep and narrow. Along the way, there was an old mining hole that was filled in but I found a lot of blue copper in that area. The saddle was tree covered and the only views basically were of Eureka peak and Rattlesnake peak. From the top of Eureka peak, there were 180 degree views looking Northwest, but trees blocked the views looking East. From Rattlesnake peak, there were basically no views as there were trees all around. Rattlesnake peak seemed to be a small bump along a long ridgeline. I wouldn't have known it was a peak it wasn't marked on the topo map. From rattlesnake peak, Peak 7303 was only something like 0.95 air miles away but it took about 5 HOURS to do the roundtrip from Rattlesnake peak to Peak 7303 and back. This was because there was no trail getting down to the saddle North of Peak 7303 and I only found pieces of use trails going up the North side of Peak 7303. On the way down Peak 7303 and back up to the ridgeline trail, I felt like it was only slightly a better route because I knew was to expect and I didn't need to weave as much. If I had to do this over, I would have saved Peak 7303 for another day and approached from the South/East instead. But, there was no published route anywhere that I knew. I was going into this completely in the dark unfortunately...
My Timeline:
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8:20a (0 mi) - Started at AZ trail intersection with FSR 4759, which is 1/2 mile West of Sunnyside trailhead.
8:35a (0.54 mi) - arrived at Sunnyside trailhead. Starting from here is possible and it would shorten your hike.
9:25a (1.9 mi) - exited AZ trail and took unknown trail marked with a cairn going UP toward Eureka saddle.
10:02a (2.56 mi) - arrived at saddle East of Eureka peak
10:24a (2.87 mi) - arrived at Eureka peak, took 20 minute break, continued back down to saddle
11:27a (3.33 mi) - arrived back at saddle
11:43a (3.61 mi) - arrived at Rattlesnake peak, took 20 minute break, continued on the well-defined trail going SE along the ridgeline
12:22p (4.21 mi) - trail is a bit harder to follow in this area.
12:51p (4.72 mi) - found collapsed building (see way point on GPS track), then searched for the best way to get to the saddle North of Peak 7303. The terrain had some cliffs and obstacles and route finding was difficult here.
1:11p (5.13 mi) - started a messy bushwhack down, weaving around in various directions getting a bit frustrated...
1:51p (5.59 mi) - found a better cleaner ridge going down
2:10p (5.97 mi) - finally arrived at the saddle North of Peak 7303, then climbed up some steep grades
2:46p (6.30 mi) - arrived at Peak 7303, signed registry, took photos, didn't stay long...
3:50p (6.73 mi) - arrived back at the saddle North of Peak 7303 after climbing down some steep grades
4:34p (7.25 mi) - after a messy bushwhack UP and going around a huge rock formation and up over others, finally made it back to the use trail on the ridgeline
5:07p (8.11 mi) - passed by summit of Rattlesnake peak, kept going
5:21p (8.41 mi) - back at the saddle East of Eureka peak, stopped for a short break, continued down
5:57p (9.10 mi) - back at junction with AZ trail
6:34p (10.45 mi) - back at Sunnyside trailhead, only 1/2 mile to go
6:48p (10.99 mi) - back at FSR 4759 where I parked. The sun just set but it wasn't dark yet. Long day!
Stats:
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Distance (round trip) = 10.99 miles
AEG = 3,191 feet
Strava moving time = 6 hrs 2 mins
Strava elapsed time = 10 hrs 32 mins
Driving Directions: This road will require high clearance and 4 wheel drive. Take FS 48 to FS 228 and go North. FS 228 is about 3 miles Southeast of Parker Canyon Lake. You will stay on FS 228 for about 2.5 miles. Near the end of this route, there is a sharp fish hook turn to the right and the trail descends down into a canyon. At the junction, make a left onto FS 4759 and continue for about 1/4 mile. The Arizona trail crosses the road here and it is not marked well from the road. Park at a pullout on the East side of the road. |
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Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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