| | | Cherry Creek - Center Mountain Loop, AZ | | | |
|
|
Cherry Creek - Center Mountain Loop, AZ
| | |
|
|
Backpack | 36.15 Miles |
4,929 AEG |
| Backpack | 36.15 Miles | 3 Days | | |
4,929 ft AEG | | 42 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | A wonderful three day adventure in the Sierra Ancha with my friend Alex. It was nice to be back!
Day 1: We parked at Devils Chasm about 9:30 AM and began the hike heading north for a couple miles along Cherry Creek Road until arriving at Lucky Strike Trail (#144). After a few hundred yards the trail became undefined and we ended up bush whacking north until hitting a fence which we followed back to a gate and the trail. After that no further problems, just the steady gain towards Center Mountain. We made a short exploratory foray down towards Lucky Strike mine. From this point the continued on Center Mountain Trail (#142) and made camp a half mile or so down after the summit. Offered sweeping views in most directions. Had a good time exploring the cliff face and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors off in the direction of Aztec Peak. Made camp a little after 4:00 PM. Some good Brats and S'mores!
Day 2: Broke camp around 9:00 AM after a breakfast of Pancakes and Bacon (bacon!). And headed towards Aztec by way of Trail #150 with a stop at Knoles Hole to top off on water. The forest was in full fall swing! Eventually we made our way along the Rim Trail (#139), breathtaking views of the Cherry Creek Canyons from above as well as spotting a bear! We made camp a short way along Moody Point Trail (#140) about 4:30 PM.
Day 3: Continued along Moody Point Trail about 9:30. This was by far the most difficult part of the trip as after the first two miles or so the path is little more than cairns and route finding is a must. It did have nice views most of the way down as well as several random finds (some old horse shoes, several rusted discarded spools of barbed wire, etc) and a cliff dwelling about 2 1/2 miles from Cherry Creek. |
|
Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial Around Aztec Peak fall is certainly in full swing! |
|
    |
Knoles Hole Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | Easy to along trail which crosses it several times. | | _____________________
| | |
|
|