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| Hiking | 7.22 Miles |
3,042 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.22 Miles | 5 Hrs 50 Mns | | 1.44 mph |
| 3,042 ft AEG | 50 Mns Break | 5 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | I threw out three choices to Linda, and she countered by choosing none of them. However, her counter worked out, as I hadn’t been there in a couple of years. Needing witnesses to document the abuse I endure for a future court date, I invited Speedgoats, Kelly, and John.
As Google advertised when we pulled into the lot, there was no parking structure, but there were gender-neutral bathrooms (porta-johns). We made our way to a mostly empty parking lot with a temperature of 39 degrees.
The approach to the Petroglyphs is my least favorite part of this hike, but does afford good views of our target. It's the part that 98% of people come for, but it’s rocky and boring. We passed a few people coming out as we were starting.
We enjoyed the empty Petroglyph area for a few moments until a clueless trio approached, not having a clue which mountain they were going to climb. That was the last time we saw them. After stopping John from creating his own drawings, we started our climb to the Balanced Rock area. The use trail was mostly easy to follow until we reached the rock. There was a finger trail that led us astray for a bit, until we consulted Route Scout. We lingered around the rock for a while and then began our ascent again. The last obstacle was a 15-foot climbing maneuver up a chute, then it was clear sailing to the magical, powder-free Fliver Disk.
After a short break, John got antsy, and we started our descent. We passed one solo hiker on his way up, then a mass of female hikers coming up from Carney.
On the ridgeline, we saw our first indications of the burn scar. For the most part, it stayed north of the trail.
Now on the Hieroglyphics Trail, it was an easy downhill follow. Approaching the Hieroglyphics area, we began to see the masses milling about—some asking if we made it to the top, some posing for the 'gram, and some wandering aimlessly.
We finished with a mostly full parking lot. Great temps throughout the day and bearable company.
Fauna seen:
0 snakes
0 deer
0 rabbits
0 javelinas
0 chipmunks
0 bears
0 honey badgers
numerous cougar |
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Thrilled to return to the Supes for the first time this season. Great intro back looking up at the Ridgeline. 
Hieroglyphic Spring was still slightly trickling, but funky like usual. I'd guess the families and kids that only make it this far still think it's everything is awesome. It was enjoyable ascending the canyon for once without an obscene number of cairns along the way. Perhaps people are catching on that a duck every five feet really isn't necessary (reference the Wave Cave arrows erased for more context). It also was nice to experience the Supes in mid-May with all the wildflowers and fresh leaf outs. The heat usually keeps me away, but today had substantial wildflowers. The flaming yellow and red Dudleya stalks were peaking. I reached the summit in two hours and speaking of culmination, there was an entomology orgy of flying ants, bee flies and tarantula hawks circling. The former two groups were dive bombing and getting spunky with each other, where the ants were antisocial and not crossing over to the other species. 
I was at the West Boulder Saddle before eight, about three hours into the hike, where there was still some good shade at the pass. After this brief and final break, the stretch dash got hot. Along Goldmine was the only place I saw another person, which was south of Turks Head. She had just turned around, informing me that half her water supply was gone, and she wouldn't be finding the bygone gold mine. Definitely a better, more diverse, scenic and challenging loop than the intensive forest bath of the 
. Of course in doing that, we veered off route and got to a way too steep and overgrown section to the peak, but whatever. 
Strep throat infection and also had to work some. 
On the early drive east, one of the US60 road signs was displaying AZ88 closed - rocks on the road. 
(perhaps it displays that always). I suppose we're not doing any hikes from the Canyon Lake area. As sunrise broke, one could see that the NW Supes were getting some action, lots of lightning and rain. I settled on the Hieroglyphic TH because I had my car. We chose CCW because the lightning was very active up on the ridgeline. Usually I'd complete this great hike at a brisker pace, but Dese and I had to shelter three times total, as each wave of rain rolled through with the accompanying and uncomfortably close lightning strikes. The final wave soaked us to the bone, but the sun emerged quickly afterwards. We dried out nearing the 5057 summit. It would of been nice to relax longer there, but swarming termite orgies just aren't my thing. On the descent, a large Coatimundi band crossed in front of us. There were at least three, small young ones (so cute) in the group and they all bristled orange. I've never been able to get a good pic of Coatimundi. Another large adult and one baby crossed behind us after we passed. They look like little monkeys easily scrambling the Supes' rocky terrain. This was a tough hike for Dese, but she powered through. She'll get a good rest this weekend because she isn't allowed to hike in the Grand.
