|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 13.71 Miles |
4,604 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.71 Miles | 9 Hrs 50 Mns | | 1.59 mph |
| 4,604 ft AEG | 1 Hour 13 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Janelle and I had planned the Ridgeline a while back, and Michelle was a last minute addition. For the past week or so, I’d been keeping my fingers crossed that the weather wouldn’t be too warm. It was warm, but we had a great breeze most of the day, thank goodness.
We set up our shuttle early, then got started from the Crosscut TH. Easy walking over to Siphon Draw, where we joined the masses making their way uphill. We took our time, chatting with other hikers along the way. We skipped going over to the Flatiron, but later I realized Michelle had never been up here. If I'd known at the time, we'd have gone over there. Oops. Instead, we headed over to 5024. After a quick break, we dropped off the east side, down a freshly cut trail, then reconnected with the Ridgeline trail.
Nice views along the ridgeline, but very dusty. It was worth it for that good breeze. The route is mostly easy to follow, with a few vague spots here and there. Had lunch at the saddle where Hiero meets the ridge. East of the Hiero junction, the trail gets messy and eroded for a while. I've never liked that stretch, and now I kind of hate it. Once we scrambled up to where the trail runs below 5057, it was in good shape again. We skipped 5057 and continued east.
Descending Carney is never fun, but at least there was shade. Once at the bottom, we headed east on Goldmine for a mile back to our other vehicle at the Lost Goldmine East TH. Good day and hike!
I revised my stats down a bit due to some scribble in the chute and around breaks. Mileage was still a little higher than expected, but matches pretty closely to my watch and Janelle's stats. I am still loving the grip and comfort of the T1 trail runners, great shoe. I have some doubts about the longevity I'll get out of them, but that remains to be seen. I actually ordered another pair, and Janelle ordered a pair for herself. |
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
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 
More vehicles at TH than when I did this 3 years ago. Start hike at 10:30. Guy in vehicle next to us was starting for 5057 at the same time. 
I took a break at the false saddle, then another at West Boulder Saddle before continuing on.
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.
