|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 17.13 Miles |
3,052 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.13 Miles | 5 Hrs 8 Mns | | 3.54 mph |
| 3,052 ft AEG | 18 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Please read this carefully if you intend to hike Dixie Mine Trail. It does not end at the mine or even at the Coachwhip junction like the descriptions say. It goes until the junction with Pemberton trail, and is clearly marked as Dixie Mine Trail the whole way. If you want only to see the mine, that's an easy little out-and-back, just make that your turnaround. If you continue on the trail as the sign suggests, that's great too but you'll add up to 8 miles onto your trip like I did. I'll explain further down. Thankfully all ended well, but having read Dixie Mine triplogs before I went made it seem that Dixie Mine was a loop and it is not.
I started the hike at about 8:30 in the parking lot, through the gated community, and to the trailhead. I deposited my $2, studied the very general maps, and onto Dixie Mine Trail. I ran some, as I tend to do, and turned left at the 'T' onto Thompson Peak Trail. I was told that this was a steep one and they weren't kidding! This one is a burner with some rewarding views along the way. I had to take quite a few quick breathers on the way up but hit the peak at (Split 1: 4.7mi,1hr37min) into the hike. There's nothing to see at the top, and standing with all those towers isn't all that great so I started on back down.
I was really surprised at how many people I saw hiking this peak, probably 10-15 people. The way back down was easy to run and I hit the T at Dixie Mine (Split 2: 2mi, 38:54). I continued to the Dixie Mine, went up briefly to check it out, then back down. Again, the Dixie Mine Trail goes both directions from here, and I went East rather than doubling back.
Honestly, I thought the best parts of the trail were to come. The trail climbs a hill alongside the Jeep trail until it disappears. It plateaus and dips just a bit before it hits the junction with Coachwhip. Again, Dixie does not terminate there…it keeps going. This was my favorite part of the trail, as it goes slightly downhill for a LONG ways and has some great teddy bear cholla. It continues on an ascent until it leads to the termination at Pemberton Trail (Split 3: 3.6mi, 1:02:17). This area is quite remote, but a great achievement for desert lovers and masochists alike.
From here, be sure you turn left to head West/Northwest on Pemberton. It was a very flat section mostly used by bikers and was less than a mile to the intersection with Coachwhip Trail (Split 4: 0.87 mi, 12:08).
Coachwhip was tough for me, since I knew at this point that my 10 mile hike goal was going to be more like 17. I still enjoyed it and there were a lot of up-and-down sections along the way. I took a rest on the bench at Windmill Trail junction and then continued back toward the 'T' at Dixie Mine. (Split 5: 2.5mi, 39:01).
I stumbled my way back down the hill meeting up with the Jeep trail, past Dixie Mine and turned left at the junction with Thompson Peak trail. On the return trip of the final Dixie Mine Trail leg, I finally ran out of water but knew that I was going to get back fine. I did hear what sounded like an ATV coming behind me, and it turned out to be a giant swarm of BEES. They went right over my head but continued right on past. (Split 6: 2.78mi, 46:28).
I tracked the distance through the subdivision this time, and it was mostly uphill going back so I took some more breaks to avoid cramping. (Split 7: 0.57mi, 11:16) I was finally finished with this run, feeling very used up but also a major sense of accomplishment. Total was 17.13 miles at 5hrs8min.
Bottom line: Be sure you know exactly where you're going, and bring your phone as always. Mine helped me track the real trails on satellite and that was a big help. Don't expect many people in the flats areas…I saw only 3 people in about 8 miles/2 hours on a beautiful weekend day. The wildflowers were gorgeous and the cactus/ocotillo were majestic as always! |
|
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Lots of strawberry hedgehogs, brittle bush, and ocotillos all in bloom. It was a great time of year to see some color. |
|
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Great hike as always, I'm so fortunate to live in this area.
They weren't making any audible noise until I was too close and then a few bees flew into me and I got the picture! At that same time one of them stung me and I booked it directly down the mountain. They gave up chase after about 30 feet and I was good after that!
