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Feb 12 2022

GrangerGuy

Guides 34
Routes 138
Photos 931
Triplogs 111

68 male

Joined Dec 26 2018
Phoenix, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Cabeza BM - High Point

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Feb 12 2022
		GrangerGuy • Triplogs 111

Hiking	13.00 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	13.00 Miles	8 Hrs 5 Mns		2.48 mph
	1,900 ft AEG	2 Hrs 50 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Before I left on this adventure, I reread the first chapter of The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs. He describes the Cabeza Prieta in fascinating and very personal detail. It was excellent preparation for this walk. In addition, I registered for my Barry Goldwater Range Permit, and checked in the night before.

It is a long drive across the Barry Goldwater in the dark. Although the road is usually excellent, at times 4WD was of great help in the sand. I am including a hand mapped GPS route of the drive that I followed on the way in. It is accurate. My recorded track of the drive failed.

I departed the car at the wilderness boundary at 7:45 AM. Travel on the road is very quick. The road is extensively driven by border patrol agents. While it detracts from the wilderness experience, it makes the route in exceptionally easy to follow.

There is evidence of lots of wildlife. I never got close enough to see what the flocks of birds were, but they startled me repeatedly when they would all fly up together. Lots of bird tracks, coyote tracks, and javelina tracks in the road. I was unsuccessful in stalking a javelina that crossed my path. Higher up, especially in the canyon to the peak, there are lots of bighorn droppings. This refuge is primarily to protect the population of bighorn.

Leaving the wash, I had a little trouble finding the right canyon to climb up. Sloppy navigation on my part. The correct canyon is an easy walk/scramble. It is like a rugged stairway. Not overgrown and not many tall waterfalls that must be gotten around.

My turnaround time arrived before I reached the summit. I was about 500’ and more or less an hour short of it. It was too bad, but the canyon is quite beautiful and worth the climb. The round trip is nearly 14 miles, as it turns out, right at the limit of a one-day journey for me. The climb down is not difficult, but you do have to watch out for large rocks that shift under your weight. Mostly it was a straightforward walk alternately following sheep paths and the rugged stairway.

Once down on the bajada, I followed a beeline shown in the official route, and then followed the CBP jeep tracks all the way back to my car. A gentle breeze mitigated the unseasonable 80°+ temps in the flats. I would rate this hike higher, but the 5-mile approach is tedious, while the climb is beautiful.

Dec 26 2020

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Buck Peak

Southwest, AZ

Buck Peak

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 26 2020
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	10.00 Miles	1,750 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	7 Hrs 30 Mns		1.48 mph
	1,750 ft AEG	45 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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My long awaited winter trip to the Barry Goldwater. I've been looking forward to returning since April. Roads are in excellent shape with only deep sand in a few spots, otherwise easy access. Being over the Christmas Holiday Weekend, there was no Military activity.

Buck was similar to Cabeza HP last year around this time. I camped at the same spot, but arrived at 8 PM. I also left right after the hike. Long winter nights are boring to just sit alone out here. The hiking on 708 was easy, I probably wouldn't return around the mountain again, but that was okay once. However, I wanted shade as it was hot today and I wanted to see what Buck Tank looked like. It was dry.

Personally, if only a peak bagger, return to the south or attempt from the F-10 area.

The desert is dry, very dry. Nothing like last winter here, or a week ago in the Rainbow Valley. I do not believe there has been measurable rain since March. The sand here is rather coarse, so there is no serious dust issue. There was very little life as a result of the drought. Only a few birds in the desert, woodpeckers I think, a hummingbird which buzzed me on the ridge, and some ravens over the valley I saw from the peak. I did spot one Bighorn Ram as it ran away from me up and over a small ridge on my way to the McMillan Mine. He seemed to be alone.

McMillan Mine was nothing that excites me. Smelled dusty and there was a lot of animal scat at the entrance. A sign from the refuge has it "closed", but there is no barrier. The shaft is about 4 feet high, so I had no interest in entering.

Buck Peak Tank was a place I hoped might have water for animals. It was bone dry. 8 feet deep and empty. I wonder if it was last spring after the abundant rains? There are what look like very impressive granite cliffs located high above the tank which would be interesting to explore, but I didn't have time.

Because of the short days, the long drive, the all day hiking, and the vast distances to get here, the trip felt rushed, but I enjoyed myself. I do wish there was another tap the same as there is a Tule Well, but this isn't on the Camino. Last, I went in a waxing moon nearing full status, so the stars were not great. Normally, there are plenty. It was not cold at night, though.

For those inclined to youtoob: [ youtube video ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Summit Register Log

	Buck Peak Tank	Dry	Dry
	Completely empty.

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2 archives

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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