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| Hiking | 11.07 Miles |
3,282 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.07 Miles | 7 Hrs 22 Mns | | 1.53 mph |
| 3,282 ft AEG | 8 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This hike is a beast, but I was up for it. I had planned to do this a few weeks earlier, but the recent triplogs made me put it off. This weekend was the one I planned for later. The heat in the forecast had me questioning my decision, but I decided to pack some extra water. I figured between the early start and the higher elevation, the heat wouldn't be an issue. It wasn't, although I did drink a full 180 oz of water during this.
I did this hike the last time in the fall of 2005, actually in September. I remember being so spent when I got to the top that I never hiked across the top of the mesa at all. I think the trail is fainter along the west side on the final push to the top, but I'm not really sure.
Once you get past the turnoff for going over the saddle of Elephant Mountain, that's where the hike starts to get real. You're so much closer to the top, but when you look at it, it still seems a ways away, and it is. And this is where the loose lava rock starts to take over, which makes things worse.
After the junction with the trail that takes you to Rondo Spring, the trails dips a bit before the big climb. There used to be a rock or a sign (or both) at this junction. I didn't see it this time. There is a kind of a gate through the barbed wire fence there. i missed the junction on my way up, but saw it on my way back. There are few level spots west of Black Mesa that give you a chance to catch your breath a bit. Then the final push comes. Just before the last final push, I spotted 3 whitetail deer (who spotted me first) that were taking off up the side of Black Mesa and to the south. It was amazing to see how much elevation they could gain so quickly leaping over the loose rock and thorny vegetation. The cliche of "run like a deer" never seemed more appropriate.
the final push to the top was very steep and the trail is very hard to follow. It seems like there's a second trail that has formed a braid from people perhapsh unknowingly cutting switchbacks. This part of the hike required that you look ahead to see where the trail goes (or switches back), look at the ground at the same time to make sure you don't loose your footing, and also constantly check your GPS (or RouteScout) to see if you're still on track. Numerous steps here involved hitting a loose rock that rolled under my foot.
At the top this time I hiked to the south, originally with the intent of making the loop around the top of the mesa and returning on the faint trail. At the south end of the mesa there are the best views to the east of Skull Mesa and the valley between the 2 mesas. Once I got to the south end of the mesa, I spotted the ridge there down towards the trail. That seemed like a very doable route. the trail up was so steep that I don't think this route was any worse. I think I saved some time for sure this way even though it was slow going at times. the descent at the very top was slow since it was rocky. After that, it got less rocky and less steep, although at times the amount of loose lava rock seemed to increase enough that constant attention had to paid in order to not wipe out.
finally got on the actual trail, which wasn't a whole lot easier to hike downhill than the bushwhack, then back to the park trails, which took less time. Saw a few hikers the closer I got to the parking lot, but not a whole lot. Warm temps seem to be keeping people away. Stark contrast from a year earlier when every park was pack since all the gyms were closed. Felt the heat more at the bottom, which I expected, better than on the way up.
My plantar faciitis did not bother me nearly as much on this hike as it did the last 3. Switched out the orthotics in my hiking boots this time which seems to have made a world of difference. Nice to finish up such a big hike with a minimum of pain during and after, especially in middle age.  |
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. Be interested in doing the Rondo Springs Trail sometime.
