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2 triplogs
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Oct 12 2016
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 Triplogs 2

46 male
 Joined May 08 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Bear Wallow Trail #63Alpine, AZ
Bear Wallow Trail #63
Alpine, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 12 2016
casey480 • Triplogs 2
Hiking2.00 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
500 ft AEG30 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Based on Hike AZ's glowing Hiking Description of Bear Wallow #63 and my wife's fond memories of hiking it in her youth, we planned a two day backpacking trip in the on Bear Wallow Wilderness to celebrate our anniversary and enjoy the fall colors.

We aborted the trip after two hours. This is our story.

From the trailhead/parking lot, We went along an obvious path for about a mile before a GPS check showed us that we were going the wrong way on an old 4x4 road. Turning around, we overshot the trail *again* and had to bushwhack with the GPS in-hand to find it. The trail is almost completely overgrown and not marked or cairn'ed.

We descended through the canyon, constantly losing the trail as we debated aborting the trip. Though the forecast showed a 0% chance of precipitation, clouds loomed overhead. A combination of fire damage, overgrowth, a feeling of complete isolation, and a freshly gnawed on deer carcass straddling the creek (which was supposed to be our water source) finally convinced us to leave.

We ended up spending our anniversary repeating an old favorite: Mt. Baldy. We loved every minute of it.

The hike imparted an important lesson: check for recent triplogs in hike AZ. When we got back, I saw that the last log for this trail was 2014, and discussed the overgrown trail.

If any mods are reading this, I would ask that a note be made to the main Hiking Description for this trail.

Maybe some day a stewardship hike can be organized to clear the trail and make some cairns. I have been told it is a fantastic area and I would hate to see it lost and forgotten.
_____________________
  1 archive
Aug 10 2013
avatar

 Triplogs 2

46 male
 Joined May 08 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
West Baldy Trail #94Alpine, AZ
West Baldy Trail #94
Alpine, AZ
Backpack avatar Aug 10 2013
casey480 • Triplogs 2
Backpack15.00 Miles 2,364 AEG
Backpack15.00 Miles1 Day   18 Hrs      
2,364 ft AEG30 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
From the West Baldy parking lot, we hiked past the connector trail to the meadows (~3 miles) and made camp near the river. The next morning, we packed up camp and and then made our way up to the intersection of the West and East baldy trails. From what we read on hikeaz, you are not supposed to hike up to the summit without special permission from the Apache tribe, but there were no signs indicating this, and every hiker we saw was going up the unmarked trail, so we followed suit.

The top was very windy but beautiful. The actual summit is the second peak on top of the trail, so if you want to bag the peak properly, make sure you keep going.

After that, we ate lunch and made our way back down West Baldy. And then it started hailing. I thought we were going to have to abort the trip and just go back to the car, but right as we got to the meadows (~5pm) , the storm broke. We set up camp and gathered firewood, but then the hail started again so the rest of the night was spent inside the tent.

The next morning was gorgeous again, and we hiked out and made our way home.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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