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| Hiking | 9.70 Miles |
3,088 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.70 Miles | 5 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.85 mph |
| 3,088 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | After running from an early afternoon storm the day before, I was hoping an earlier start on the trails today would help me avoid the rains. No such luck. On the drive to the Montezuma trailhead, the sky was full of low hanging clouds. Once I was at the trailhead, many little cells of rain were visible throughout the desert. This made me kind of nervous, but I figured as long as I didn't hear thunder, I was good.
This actually turned out very well. The clouds rolled in as I ascended, and in some spots were pretty dark and threatening looking. But the only time I heard any thunder was on my way back down, and it was pretty timid, and only a couple times.
The rain started to hit just before I reached the Miller Peak Trail, and remained pretty steady until I was about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. I dont think the temperature ever got over 70 during the entire hike. It was actually kind of chilly at times with the rain and wind. I think because of the cold, that helped with the lack of thunder and lightning.
I made it to the peak in 3 hours flat, which surprised me. The trail has a few steep sections, but mainly an even grade, and not too many loose rocks or big steps. The higher elevation didn't affect me as much as I thought it would. I think the hike the day before reaching 6800' and the adrenaline of wanting to avoid lightning helped me in that regard. Although, just about at 9000' the trail does get steep, and for a minute that did hit me. But I was still able to keep a steady pace, if a bit slower.
When I arrived at the peak, I was expecting it to be a false summit. I wasn't really sure if I was there, and with the visibility being zero, that also made it hard to tell. I was just surprised I was there so quickly (by my standards).
The rain picked up on the way down, and eventually I put on my rain jacket, more for some warmth as the wind picked up. My camera lens got smudged from the rain and there was no drying it, so after the peak, not many pictures. Not that much was visible anyway.
Obviously had the trail to myself the entire time. Finished just before noon, ate lunch again at the Montezuma Trailhead, then headed back to the hotel for some rest and a hot shower. |
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. the trip down pat scott canyon was an unexpected wonderland of shade, big trees and even some water and flowers.
