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| | | Dome Mountain Deer Tanks Loop, AZ | | | |
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Dome Mountain Deer Tanks Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 9.10 Miles |
1,701 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 31 Mns | | 2.27 mph |
| 1,701 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | On my second day of hiking in the Goldfields I had big plans. Dome Mountain, Three Lesser Peaks and return on Orohai Wash and Blue Ridge. As happens sometimes plans change. My plan changing event was my arch nemesis Dome Mountain. I tried Dome Mountain from the west a couple weeks ago and abandon it because it was too risky for me alone. This time I went up the East end. I made it to Gun sight Saddle but I was ragged mess. My legs were like jello my hands and arms cut up from brush and cactus. Once at the saddle I opted not to go further up to either of the peaks. The saddle would have to do. Besides how much better could the views be from up there I kept telling myself. Looked easy on Google Earth. It was definitely easier than the west approach. Nice views from the saddle. I was actually more concerned with my return trip because going down is usually more hazardous. The trip down wasn't as bad as I thought having made most of the mistakes in route on the way up. I did spend a good portion of it on my rear, it's hard to trip or fall when your on your butt. There are a few cairns toward the top near the saddle but all they really do is tell you some other soul passed this way. The one cairn I found on my return that is a good one to look for is where the route crosses the first big erosion/wash on the upper part of the trail where it turns north. On my way up I went a little too high on the hillside and crossing the wash was a bit tricky but on my return I found an easy crossing and right there in front of me was a cairn, good call wish I'd of seen it on the way up. This hike would be one I need to plan to do just Dome Mountain because it could take a day.
My plans to do Three Lesser Peaks changed because I didn't want to climb another peak no mater how lesser it was. I opted instead to head down from the saddle and head across country to Bull Dog Canyon and visit the Mask Arch. I love cross country in the desert because you can see far enough ahead to plan your route. Made it to Bull Dog Wash with out any issues. Climbing up to the Mask was quite easy. I approached it from the east starting in a small ravine to the east of the hill the Mask is on near the odd looking caves. I got close to the caves but not too close, they looked like a good place for bees to live or something else I didn't want to get to know too well. I crossed low on the south side of the ridge looking for the mask. I finally saw a trail leading up the south slope of the hill and figured the Mask must be close. The Mask Arch is interesting I would of liked to see it when both arches were still intact. The rubble from the failed arch is still there, piled up at the feet of the culprit who probably had a hand in its demise, a saguaro. The scars on the saguaro are evidence that this arch was a constant irritant to the saguaro and probably pushed on the arch till it fell. It appeared to show no remorse.
From the Mask I headed down Bull Dog Canyon to the Deer Tanks trail to Idaho Road. Really nice trail all the way. From the Mask I could see a trail that went south along the east side of hill 2300 that is just across the wash, I was curious as to where this trail went. I continued south on the Deer Tank until I crossed a road that headed east and figured it probably connects up with that trail I saw earlier so I took it. Sure enough it does. So now I am back where I was earlier and once again I take the Deer Tanks Trail to Idaho Road. Deer Tanks had more water in the tanks than was here two weeks ago.
From Idaho Road I take the McDowell Road Trail back to FR 1356 where I started. I did not know this trail was here, I thought I might have to bushwhack it back. Really nice trail. The weather was in the low 80's by the time I finished at 2:00. This may be the last time in the Goldfields this year unless we still have a little winter coming. |
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