|
| | | |
| |
|
| Backpack | 23.00 Miles |
7,600 AEG |
| | Backpack | 23.00 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 7,600 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Started at Madera Canyon TH. Intended to go up Vault Mine, but missed the right turn, hiked past the old mine and followed social trails up the ridge (passing an awesome campsite on the way). After losing the thread of the social trails and being obstinate, I bushwhacked up to the Agua Caliente trail and got to Josephine Saddle. From there, after a pit stop at Bellows Spring, it was up Wrightson (a lot of folks with positive energy!). There was rain on 7/2 and continued cloud cover so it was cooler than expected. After the summit trail, headed briefly down the Super Trail to connect with Gardner Canyon, which is well maintained. Continued the loop around Wrightson by connecting to the Arizona Trail. The fully maintained campsite was near Walker Basin but it was too early in the day to put in. So continued on the AZT to Temporal Gulch Trail. There were scattered pools throughout from last night's rain (and before -- some were pretty scummy). Temporal Gulch was likewise well maintained. Downside is that there were no maintained camp grounds before Josephine Saddle. After about 18-20 miles in, I found a ridge that had a decent camp. Startled some deer (all I wanted to do was hug them - is that so wrong?).
Next day was a quick trip past McBeth Spring (perfect water), and then back down Aqua Caliente and Vault Mine to see what I'd missed with the bushwhack. Vault Mine is steep! I didn't have a trash bag on the trip, but for anyone interested there is a fair bit of camping trash (old clothes, even) on Temporal Gulch within 1-1.5 miles of Josephine Saddle. Water: I carried all my needs from Bellows until McBeth. The back half of the day was hot with clouds burned off. While I could have hit some stagnant pools along the way, it was doable with what I'd brought. This is a gorgeous loop/figure 8. I look forward to my next Santa Rita trip! Mileage and AEG may be off by a bit because of bushwhack. |
  |
Bellows Spring |
Gallon per minute |
Gallon per minute |
| | | Plenty of water from the pipe and in the spring. 7/3/2020. |
|
McBeth Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | | Plenty of cool, clear, tasty water in the spring, supplied by a light trickle. 7/3/2020. |
 |
Upper Walker Tank |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | Small basin of stagnant water above the dam. Not that desperate! 7/3/2020. | | _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Since the monsoon storms are just beginning, the creek was dry except for a few seeps and a little flow at the mine. I heard trogon(s) several times along the hike, but as is usual, no sightings (elusive little devils). Encountered several birders on the way to Carrie Nation, as this is a real nice section for that activity (away from the more crowded Super & Old Baldy Trails).
