JamesP's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Feb 09 2025

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Slightly Stoopid hike today, AZ

Hiking		Feb 09 2025
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	22.11 Miles	2,527 AEG

Hiking	22.11 Miles	6 Hrs 6 Mns		3.79 mph
	2,527 ft AEG	16 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Well, today's hike was one for me to remember. I had planned on meeting my hiking partners at Pima Canyon trailhead and then shuttle to the Western end of the National trail. When I arrived at the meet spot I noticed my rear tire was low and a shiny screw was impaled in-between the tread. Good spot! I called my partners, told them I was in the process of changing it out for the spare. I said I would be done in ten but it took twenty minutes in fact. It didn't matter as they drove away without waiting.
My inner voice said to just go home and do chores but I didn't listen to it and decided to start hiking to the end of the National trail from East to West. I took motivation in believing I would pass them well beyond the halfway mark going from my end.
I had always wanted to do this hike. I went to South mountain high school and lived nearby. I spent many delinquent hours on the MTN.
Within the first mile my left leg began cramping. I never have had a cramp in my legs, or anywhere else on the trail before. I have hiked with many people that have had cramps and I have helped them with electrolytes and massage. I thought I was immune from them. I'm not sure, even now as I sit here with ice on both legs, if it's not a muscle pull, but my leg went all wooden on me. I decided to keep going, maybe that was a Stoopid decision?
Having one leg in cramps made hiking a bit more challenging. I am glad I experienced this while hiking so that I can have deeper empathy for the injury but I don't want to repeat it. I am the type that goes and goes without breaks. I was moving faster than 3 miles per hour and stuffing down bananas, jalapeno tuna packs, rx bars and water while moving mainly. I thought if I stopped for too long the cramps would get worse. Not sure if that was also Stoopid.
I did finally come across my hiking partners going the opposite direction only 5.5 miles in 3hrs from the West side. One of them suggested he give me his keys but I would have had to wait for them until they made it back to Pima. I had already decided I was going to either take the bus or an Uber back down Baseline.
The Western side of South Mountain is quite intriguing with many different rocks from the Eastside. The pit mines off the trail were quite interesting. The manganese stained rocks on the West are also much darker than the Eastern ones. I remember being told about an age difference between the two sides of the mountain in a geology class in college. I remember this professor also told us that the Papago Buttes near the zoo were spat out of the South Mountain during an eruption and landed those many miles away. Stoopid?
I was not sure were the end point was of the National trail. I didn't really look at the map I just figured it would be obvious and if not I would walk to Baseline. It turned out the trail wound it's way to the overlook at the end of the San Juan Rd. I used to take my Grandma's Ford Tempo down that road without using the break, hugging the inside of the turns regardless of which lane I was in. Simpler times, one could say Stoopider. I recognized the end of the road but where to go from there wasn't clear. The trail signs didn't show where National was going. It looked like it was turning into the Alta trail, one I have not done all of before. So, I decided to start making the path of least resistance to Baseline through the neighborhood if acre+ lots and on to Western Rd. I used to date a girl who lived out here in High School so I had a vague idea of where I was at. A sign for 39th Ave came up in a few and I knew I'd been here before. I had my thumb out while hiking off the road, nobody stopped.
At Dobbins and 35th there was a Fruta cart, oranges for sale and my favorite, Tamales!! I asked for un tamal por favor y un agua. It was red Chile with pork estilo Jalisco and it was so good I had two

The water came just in time as I was getting down to my last 1/2 liter.
When I made it to the QT at 35th and Baseline I got a large Coke with Squirt from the fountain and set up an Uber back to Pima.
One more thing about Stoopid stuff...my phone seems to overestimate my mileage and mileage time. I did start the hike at 8am and I made it to QT around 150p I think. My ride was called at 2p and arrived at 207p and had me to Pima by 233p. I downed those Tamales during my total break time of 16min on this hike.
Fun one, not sure I did anything right on this hike. The weather was not Stoopid with overcast all day and normal temps for this Feb 9. On of the Wonders of the World as far as municipal parks go and by itself.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Humor

Wildflowers Observation None
Dry to the bone. I saw flowering brittlebush by the irrigated lots in Laveen but not on the hillside.

Jan 18 2025

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Bull Basin Trail #270 - Superstitions

Globe, AZ

Bull Basin Trail #270 - Superstitions

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2025
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	13.06 Miles	3,241 AEG

Hiking	13.06 Miles	7 Hrs 23 Mns	1.92 mph
	3,241 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Bull Basin Trail was a hellacious minder binder for approximately 3 miles that felt more like 10. Getting slapped silly by tall overgrowth and stabbed by shin daggers periodically made for some true on trail-off trail character building. Dusthawk, our captain for this journey, said to expect bushwhacking for most of Bull Basin but none of us expected to find a trail being reclaimed and densely consumed by nature. Ive been doing many long distance thru-hikes, peak-bagging and off trail scrambles on scree slopes with cholla to boot but this portion of #270 was so overgrown it might be one of the more memorable hikes I've done this calendar year.
I would suggest doing the hard work at the beginning and hiking the loop counterclockwise starting from Miles Ranch. I met some very well informed locals down at the ranch that were car camping in style. Father Ken and son Wilson were super friendly and described their history camping there during the past many decades. They helped to shore up the porch with a new upright when the forest service would likely have never done anything to fix it. It's cool to meet Arizona families with traditions linked to the mountains. They built a very cool camp chair from pallets made smooth by sanding it with rocks. I included a picture of them and their chair.
When we finally made it to the junction of Haunted Canyon and Bull Basin we took a break and marvelled at the giant cypress junipers in this valley. This is a place I want to come back to on a backpack but I won't be going counterclockwise next time. In fact, I'd be a little crazy to ever go back to Bull Basin trail again! Climbing out of the canyon and up toward Paradise trail the views South were majestic. It was about 3pm now and we had 4 miles to go. Amazing temperatures for hiking, when we would stop in the shade it would get chilly before long. The hike up H.C. to Paradise was a welcome change after getting torn up and smacked stupid by the bushwhacking. I kind of had PTSD after Bull Basin and expected the jungle to to be interminable. The hike down to the trucks was beautiful, one could say a "Paradise" of a trail. I have hiked much of the Eastern Supes including Campaign-First Water 48 miles, several trips to Reavis Ranch, Reavis Falls, Campaign -Fireline- Circlestone and Mound Mountain etc. but on this day there were only 4 hikers on the loop and I saw zero trash. Nrup, one of our comrades, said there is nothing sexy about this trail and at the same time it is totally sexy! No climb culminating in huge vistas, no arches or water but the sheer difficulty of B.B. and the isolated remoteness on this day made us feel truly accomplished. Nrup also liked to say on the trail, "When in doubt follow your nose." - Gandolph, Lord of the Rings.

Oct 26 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Passage 1 AZT, AZ

Backpack		Oct 26 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Backpack	28.70 Miles	6,441 AEG

Backpack	28.70 Miles	28 Hrs 53 Mns		2.26 mph
	6,441 ft AEG		25 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

South to North backpack of Passage 1 of the AZT. I did this with Heidi, K and Sam on my birthday. We didn't get started until just before 10am. It was still rather hot on this October 25th. Made it to Mexico and back up the hill to our truck at Montezuma Pass. The hike from hell started bout noon. We did the next three thousand feet in radiating heat, I was pushed to my limit as were most of the others. We set up camp south of Tub Spring. I was lightheaded setting up my tent. Very warm conditions on the ridge above 9000ft. Filtered water, ate dinner and hung food. Back on trail the next day by 830am. We met some southbound hikers at the tub in the morning who had started at Canelo. One more hiker passed after that but otherwise totally empty of bipeds. Sam saw three bears cross the trail near Scotia Canyon. We arrived at our other Tacoma parked at Parker Canyon Trailhead around 130p. My routescout app is not recording the miles accurately. I got 28 but other apps were reading closer to 22 miles. Wonder what the dealio is?
Backasswards adventure during a warm Autumn. Stayed an additional night at Lakeview campground and headed back to Phoenix Sunday morning. Looking forward to doing more South to North passages this year!

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Aspens changing and Sycamores rusty down lower

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Bathtub (Tub) Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Full

Oct 09 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

North Kaibab-Bright Angel, AZ

Hiking		Oct 09 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	34.89 Miles	22,346 AEG

Hiking	34.89 Miles	9 Hrs 11 Mns		4.07 mph
	22,346 ft AEG	37 Mns Break	13 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Left for the South rim Monday 10/7. Stayed on FR 328 in a spot I've been to before. Woke up before dawn, drive into the park and started packing my bag at the Backcountry office lot. Explored El Tovar and watched the sunrise from BA. Got some free coffee at El Tovar at 6ish and bought a giant breakfast burrito at Maswik. Caught a shuttle at 8am to the North Rim campground. I rode shotgun trying to talk with a driver with bad hearing. He said, " Rim to rim is a puzzle everyone puts together in a different way." Got to the campground, set up, wish I was with the thru hikers on the edge of Transcept trail. My tent site was directly across from some light lovers that kept there ground effects on their truck on until after midnight. I had gone to bed at 630p and when I woke up to bright lights at 1130 i decided to get going. Packed my stuff and hiked to the North Lodge and left my bag for a shuttle South. Spent time on the balcony under the stars. I had it to myself at 130am but during the afternoon before sunset it was impossible to find a chair. Made my way to the NK trail and dropped into the bowl at 3am. Made it to Phantom Ranch at 745am and refueled. It was turning into a warm morning so, I left by 830 after soaking my clothes in water. North of PR I hiked alone for miles! I was afraid of starting at sunrise because of the heat and the massive line of people I would have to walk behind or navigate passing. Didn't see too many others until Indian Gardens. I passed everyone in front of me. I looked like one of the only rim to rimmers on BA trail when I was there. Lots of backpackers or rim to river hikers. I was well past 17 miles by the time I had reached PR. RouteScout totaled my mileage somewhere around 30 miles but I knew it must be off. Maybe I have an outdated version running. I know I was kinda fast and running some parts but it was saying I did several sub 10min miles and I doubted that. It had my total time correct around 9hrs. I believe the hike is more like 24 miles from NK-BA. My trail on RS also went all over the place, not following the official trail. Was I too deep in the canyon for reliable mapping of my trail? I really enjoyed checking this off my list but the stench of mule poop along the tops of NK and BA is horrendous! I remember feeling the same way about SK last year. The smell is intense and distracting. I hope to be introduced to some more remote hikes in the GC away from the freshies.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bridge

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Aspens changing on the North rim.

Oct 05 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Reavis Apple Survey, AZ

Hiking		Oct 05 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	17.97 Miles	1,809 AEG

Hiking	17.97 Miles	8 Hrs 17 Mns		2.47 mph
	1,809 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	25 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Reavis Ranch Trail #109

Reavis Ranch via 109 South

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Met my fellow hikers Shelly, Angela and Karl near Peralta rd.at 430am Saturday and made it to the trail head at around 6am. Shelly drove us in her Jeep and the bumpy ride in the dark got me a little car sick. She made the hairpin turn in one smooth motion, something my truck has never done. The forecasted high was for 110 that day so we knew we had to move! We went fast down Rogers canyon to trail 109. We stopped for a bit to talk to and about ol' Mister Reavis at his grave. The sun had yet to rise above the ridge until just below Reavis Saddle, then we got those AZ rays for the rest of the day. Great walk through the chest high grasslands, always a spot I try to avoid rolling an ankle. Bear tracks were in trail in the form of scat and prints. Shortly after Fireline junction we met our first hiker on trail. He asked in a concerned tone about the presence of water. We told him that a few tenths of a mile to the south there was a small length of running water. We asked him about apples and water near the valley and he said he didn't see either.We doubted his search for both. He came in on Reavis Gap doing a section of the AZT on AZT trail day. He told us his folks dropped him off at the Marina at Lake Roosevelt the night before and his car was parked in Superior.
He didn't seem to be carrying much water or food. When we made it to our favorite trees we found out he was not lying. I did find one half dehydrated half fresh apple from last year's harvest high in the one of the south apple trees. Still delicious a year later, everyone else was grossed out by my adventurous palette. The pear tree to the East of the trail had several but Shelly says they aren't very good. Some of us picked some anyway. We made it to the foundations of the cabin and down into the field where we normally camp. There was no sign of water anywhere in the valley after the Fireline trail. We ventured into the orchard and we were excited to find a few trees with some low hanging apples. What we couldn't reach by hand we knocked out of the limbs with our hiking poles. The apples made a hollow percussive sound the ground that amused us as they fell. There was enough ground cover to protect most of our flying fruit. If a person brings a long fruit picker they would reach the highest and ripest bunch of the group. Karl and I searched around the area for more fruit but 4 or 5 trees was all we found. Probably no low apples after we grabbed em. These trees are not worth climbing unless you also desire a final resting place in the Supes so, bring a picker if you want the giant red ones up top. We took about an hour to search and eat lunch. People are so stupid out here and the campground we chose to eat at had broken alcohol bottles in and around the fire pit. Also, a can of spray paint and assorted dumb feces trash in the pit.
We head out and when we made it back to Reavis Saddle we could see the smoke from a fire to the south near Queen Valley. We had signal momentarily and discovered the Whitlock fire was at 100 acres. We had about an hour and a half more hiking to do. We were tired and low on water coming up the trough to the trailhead. When we got there the guy hiking the AZT was in the shade moaning. We thought he would ask for a ride and we offered but he didn't want to leave with us. He was out of water so, we filled him up with gallons left in the Jeep. I recommended he wait until dusk to head out. He didn't appear injured and he told us he does this route every year.
We could see the smoke but it had gone from black to white so, we imagined the fire service had begun to quench the fire. We were the only ones hiking South to North that day and the only vehicle at the trailhead. When we got lower we could see that our drive would take us right passed the fire. We encountered the Forest fire service,they asked us to stop at a roadblock and asked us if we saw anyone else out there today. We did see a party of hunters below the trailhead and reported their size and vehicle descriptions. Fun day, hot as hell, and got to drive near a fire (started by bullets)! I will not return to the Supes for a backpack until after it rains again. The animals out there could use all the water there is still there.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Reavis Ranch

Sep 28 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Mount Ordinary, AZ

Hiking		Sep 28 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	17.05 Miles	4,671 AEG

Hiking	17.05 Miles	5 Hrs 2 Mns		3.58 mph
	4,671 ft AEG	16 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

no photosets

Linked

linked

Mount Ord from Slate Creek TH

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Friends were heading to the Weatherford trail in the Kachina Peaks but I have a busy weekend and don't mind the heat much. I was out the door by 415am, stopped for an overpriced breakfast burrito and head out for Slate Creek trail. Arrived by 515 and on trail at 530am. I describe this trail as "Ordinary" cause I think it's clever, you know, cause of Ord and because it's another triple wide FR that must have been turned from a trail to a road by the miners once upon a time. This reminded me a lot of Reavis Ranch 109 from the North to Lime MTN. Of course, Ord has a bit more AEG. Nice to see pines. The trail was in shadow almost the entire morning but it got hot on the way down. Also, it's ordinary because all types access the top, hikers, trail runners, motorcycles, side x sides, jeeps, you get the idea. I did Browns a couple weeks ago so nice to look back at it from the North. I am itching to do Mazzy Peak now and I imagine it will be the most difficult of the three.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Those little blue daisies I think, up high, in the shade

1 archive

Sep 07 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Browns Peak, AZ

Hiking		Sep 07 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	8.66 Miles	1,925 AEG

Hiking	8.66 Miles	4 Hrs 35 Mns		1.98 mph
	1,925 ft AEG	13 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Met Shelly and Angela in Fountain Hills at 530am Saturday 9-7-24. Other hikers were also gathered at the Target parking lot headed for Mt. Ord but we were headed to 4 peaks. We went around the mountains to El Oso Rd and was up at the trailhead by 730am. Some fun route finding going up the rock, really couldn't imagine that the almost vertical scree chute was the correct way to the top. Adrenaline motivated me up the climb. I hadn't been back here since I was a young boy scout and had only vague memories of the trail. I considered this my real first attempt. Unfortunately, we did not all summit. I made my way to peak alone as my partners were held back by the climb, especially the consequences of going back down. I spent a couple minutes on top absorbing the views and giving thanks for the ascent. I said some more prayers for the way down and was genuinely freaked out by the few footholds on the return descent. The adrenaline surged for hours after. We got off trail going back down and almost intersected with the Amethyst trail by going too far down the scree chute. Not a long hike but, lots of psychological challenges and my thighs, chest and arms still feel the effort 24hrs later. Looking forward to doing the loop and some of the other adjacent peaks one day. Thanks to Shelly and Angela for joining me and their great photos!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Browns Peak Browns Peak Sister - Peak 7642

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Beautiful flowers in the shade

1 archive

Jul 27 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Pumpkin-Kendrick Peak-Bull Basin, AZ

Hiking		Jul 27 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	12.20 Miles	3,078 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	5 Hrs 42 Mns		2.31 mph
	3,078 ft AEG	25 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Slept near Pumpkin Trailhead Friday night . Clouds were flashing with lightning and thunder and some rain forced me to throw the fly on my tent. Rain moved on and the stars came out as we expected. Saturday morning was clear but windy. Headed out on Pumpkin at 650am and made that first climb of 500+ feet and later found the first trail marker directing us up some pretty nice switchbacks and eventually to the fire tower on the top of Kendrick Peak. My hiking partner said that it would have been hot if not for the wind. Temps were in the 60s most of the hike but we were exposed quite a lot as we marched past the many corpses of burned trees. Some of these tree remains were strikingly, hauntingly beautiful. From the info at the trailhead the fire leveled this forest in 2000. There were some shady spots, especially on the last push up the west side to the fire tower. We took a break on the helicopter pad, a spot that many people I know have set up camp at. I thought it would be an awesome place to view the stars. We headed down the Kendrick Peak trail to the cabin and signed the registry there. We were expecting the loop on the Bull Basin to be more challenging than Pumpkin but it was wide open, smooth sailing. Looking out for cairns through the Bull Basin was the only challenging aspect of the hike but that was what made it interesting. These cairns were huge and maybe built long ago for/by cowboys? There was a small pond and flowing water from it about 1/3rd of the way down Bull Basin from the cabin. We made our way through the first valley on the Connector trail and then over and through the second valley and back to the truck. We did not see another person on Pumpkin or Bull Basin. At the peak we met half a dozen people in 15 minutes but otherwise we were alone for 12 miles on trash free and overgrown trails. Yes, there is much devastation from the fire on Kendrick but it was an amazing day and a very good hike.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Many different varieties

Jun 16 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Bear Jaw-Inner Basin- Lockett Meadow, AZ

Hiking		Jun 16 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	26.41 Miles	5,527 AEG

Hiking	26.41 Miles	22 Hrs 10 Mns		2.56 mph
	5,527 ft AEG	11 Hrs 50 Mns Break	25 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I slept at the Bear Jaw TH Friday night and met a group from 3H to hike the Inner Basin trail. First 2 miles was a good climb to the junction with the Waterpipe Rd. We took this to the Inner Basin trail where some cabins are. One was unlocked with a family of 3 MTN bikers inside. I introduced myself then asked how they got a key. The dad said he worked for the Avalanche center and they were staying at Lockett Meadow. They had run short on some food and were resupplying. I asked if I could stay in the cabin but that was a no go. We began our final ascent up the Inner Basin trail to its junction with the Weatherford trail. Lots of snow on final switchbacks but no microspikes this time. I filtered water from a crick made from snowmelt. City of Flag locked up the other springs "nice" and tight. We came back down and at the cabins I bid my group farewell and fell down the Aspen forest to Lockett Meadow. I thought for sure I was the only one there but eventually I spotted the MTN bikers camping a few hundred yards away. I set up my tent and ate. It was very windy all night and the birds made their appearance at 4am first light with alarm like chimes. I packed up and was out of there by 5am. Made it back to my truck at 745. Alex, from Alaska and his friend from Flagstaff asked if I had some fuel to spare as they forgot theirs. I gave em what I had and told them to keep it. Alex returned the favor with a delicious cup of coffee for me. Took a shower in the parking lot, spotted a horny toad (good luck) and headed for Arcosanti before the Sunday traffic got real bad heading home to Phoenix. I left Route Scout accidentally running while at camp. Beautiful night at the Meadow!

Jun 03 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Solo on a Foreign Planet, NM

Hiking		Jun 03 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	9.97 Miles	325 AEG

Hiking	9.97 Miles	15 Hrs 33 Mns		2.11 mph
	325 ft AEG	10 Hrs 50 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Been dreaming of visiting this Badland since being at Chaco a few years ago. This was the most rewarding 6+ hour drive I have ever made! I made it to the western side of this BLM wilderness by 230pm Sunday. I left from Flagstaff and drove north on N.M. hwy 371 shortly after leaving Gallup. I arrived to find some other campers/hikers/photogs, D.J. from Holland told me where even more magnificent hoodoos were on Navajo Land close by. D.J. gave me a warm Fat Tire and winced when I started drinking it warm. I guess he thought I would put it in my cooler, thought wrong. My Dutch buddy left the parking lot for a hotel room in Farmington and I began to pack my bag preparing to stay overnight in the Wilderness. I then met Andrew who walked along side me for a bit. He was decked out with lenses and a Nikon or two. As the sun was setting we both meandered through the otherwise empty ancient swampscape. He paused at the Egg Hatchery waiting for the golden hour. I continued on in suspended disbelief at all I was witnessing. Petrofungus of every imaginable form and dimension decayed on all sides. Beds of clay topped with harder minerals eroding into the most alien landscape i have ever been in beguiled and amused me. It was getting darker and the hoodoos that towered high above the valley floor and the ones that stood at my shoulder height were casting long shadows increasing the awesome weirdness of this place. I began to look for a spot out of the wind but with a commanding view of the night sky. I set up my tent and explored for another hour or so before dinner and bed. This was my first solo backpack after hundreds of nights outdoors with at least one other or truck camping. I had the best night of sleep I could remember. The day had a high of 88 and it probably dipped into the 40s by 3-4am. I awoke a few times and saw the Milky Way very clearly. I got up before dawn, made coffee and packed up knowing I had another 5 miles that would take me 4 or 5 hours because of the sustained exploring I was doing. Outcroppings that appeared far away pulled me like a magnet and wrapped its drainages around me like octopuses. I made my way back to the parking lot and prepared for the other locations. I found the Alien Throne with my new buddy Jim D.who was at the trailhead for my first destination on Navajo Land. The first place was BLM otherwise surrounded by the Reservation. Jim is a preacher from Junction Texas and a Veteran of the Vietnam war. After taking shrapnel in his head at the age of 17 he insisted the medic rip it out so he could get back to defending his "brothers". They would not do it so he did it himself and returned to the fighting after being bandaged. Jim and I both were like kids having the time of our lives in the Valley of Dreams. We returned to our cars and went to another location on the Res where the BLM manages a dirt parking lot at another Navajo site. Strange, but we could camp there in the parking lot, but not past it in the Res. It's a patchwork of Reservation Land and BLM out there. Saw more and more photo tours heading to the trailheads as the sun began to set. I am not a great photographer and don't go places to take pictures but this place is soon going to be overrun with all trails hikers and instagram selfies I fear. I will be back as often as I can, even looking at Jamestown N.M. cause they named it after me!

Jun 01 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Humphreys Summit Trail #151

Flagstaff, AZ

Humphreys Summit Trail #151

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 01 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	13.68 Miles	4,167 AEG

Hiking	13.68 Miles	9 Hrs 9 Mns	1.66 mph
	4,167 ft AEG	56 Mns Break

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Conditions were nearly perfect except for some route finding and slushy snow. This was the last day for Snowbowl to be running skiers up and down the waste water snow. Kind of a loud place and an obvious slur to the Kachina Gods that reside here. Went at least two miles in total off trail because of the snow making the trail invisible. Did much better following the trail down due to the post hole foot steps and muddy snow. I was surprised how much the elevation affected my body. I definitely did not want to talk much on the final push above the saddle. Took about 2hrs non moving time. Incredible weather, A++. I'm glad to say I've gotten as high as I can in AZ!

May 04 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Groom Creek Loop #307, AZ

Hiking		May 04 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	11.05 Miles	1,796 AEG

Hiking	11.05 Miles	3 Hrs 23 Mns		3.83 mph
	1,796 ft AEG	30 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

no photosets

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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Camped out Friday night in dispersed camping off Senator hwy. It got chilly enough for socks and longjohns overnight on this May 4th outside Prescott. Beautiful night and morning. Met friends at Groom Creek TH and took off for the historic fire tower on top of Spruce MTN. Something like 3.5 miles to the top going clockwise and the longer 5+ miles back to the cars. I had my trusty Italian hero with the works. At the top of the mountain below the fire tower are some nice picnic tables and a vault toilet. Was considering a backpack trip up there when there is more water flowing. Awesome dappled light all when in the tall pines. Butterscotch smells from the Ponderosa trees made this drive from Phoenix worth it!

Apr 27 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Weaver's Needle Loop from Peralta TH

Phoenix, AZ

Weaver's Needle Loop from Peralta TH

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 27 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	13.38 Miles	2,868 AEG

Hiking	13.38 Miles	4 Hrs 50 Mns	2.80 mph
	2,868 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Beautifully temperate day in the Supes for late April. With temps in the 70s the sun was nonetheless beating down on us. I came prepared with a Italian hero from Tony's Deli at 7th St. and Dunlap. I highly recommended ordering one with "The Works". It will provide the necessary fuel for this trek. I have this idea for recreating the Japanese woodblocks of Mt. Fuji by Hokusai as the 32 views of Weavers Needle. This trail provides at least 3 epic views of this volcanic spire. I can now see from the Terrapin trail how one might climb Weavers, not that I'm planning a trip...yet. There was still enough water for drinking out there, but it is drying up. Lots of lizards everywhere and of course, us bipeds.

Wildflowers Observation None
Still a lot! Desert mallow, brittle bush, monks hood, lupine, poppies, etc...

Mar 29 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

Big Horn Peak

Southwest, AZ

Big Horn Peak

Southwest, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Hiking	7.16 Miles	2,083 AEG

Hiking	7.16 Miles	7 Hrs 30 Mns		1.19 mph
	2,083 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

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no linked trail guides

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no partners

Did this hike with Eric A. on Saturday 3/29/24. Took a dip at the El Dorado Hot Springs on Friday night and drove on to the pedestrian bridge off of Salome Rd. Eric was behind me a few hours and made the same stop before heading to camp. We were hemmed in by the canal on the north and the red lights of the electrical wires to the south. The water in the canal drowned out the interstate noise and I slept great! We geared up and took off about 730am Saturday. We had to cross under the first fence north of the canal and over the dam. Next stop was the mining ruins, interesting but we were on our way to a sketchy hike and didn't dally for long. We lost time looking at the previous route descriptions and the RouteScout navigation. Now that I know the route I could easily shave our time by a couple hours. After the initial hike up the first drainage we continued along the south side of the mountain missing the turn up the ridge. We backtracked and found our way up. This was the last "easy" part of the hike. After accessing the next highest ridgeline you encounter a giant canyon to the east. No where to go but down! At this point we took another wrong turn and wrapped around the west side of the peak. We took a break in the main drainage heading west and realized we were in the wrong spot again. Again, backtracked some yards and started climbing the walls and heading back to the trail and the mostly southern face of the mountain. Neither Eric A. or I are peak bagger/mountain climbers but we love to explore and hike. This was mildly nerve racking in spots and in others almost terrifying. I have worked hard to overcome my fear of heights and I was not about to turn around. After several scrambles up we got to the top saddle and found a crack on the east side of the peak to shimmy up. I lost my phone on one of these scrambles and didn't realize until the top that I lost it. The mountains always seem to exact some sort of payment from me. I also banged my knee, hard, and took many jumping cholla to the toes and ankles. Every step required attention and made the hike more difficult. We made our way back down the mountain as a storm was approaching the the wind was a steady 20-30mph. Not sure if we would have made it to the top if the winds had been that intense on the way up. The last people to sign the summit registry were a month prior on Feb. 29th. If you go that way and find a phone let me know!

Wildflowers Observation None
lots!

Feb 23 2024

JamesP

Routes 13
Photos 162
Triplogs 15

male

Joined Jul 22 2023

SuperThru Campaign-First Water, AZ

Backpack		Feb 23 2024
		JamesP • Triplogs 15

Backpack	45.00 Miles	7,241 AEG

Backpack	45.00 Miles	4 Days
	7,241 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Campaign Trail #256

Reavis Gap Trail #117

Reavis Ranch via 109 South

Rogers Canyon Ruins

Rogers Canyon Trail #110

JF Trail #106

Peters Trail #105

Dutchman Trail #104

Partners

none

no partners

This hike was done on 2/23-2/26/24. Greg O., James P. and Jason M. made our way to Campaign TH from First Water at 4pm Friday. Arriving at 630pm, we camped above Campaign Creek just a few miles in on J-B Road. Up at dawn on Saturday and on Campaign by 730am. I have been here many times, working with Peter Bigfoot and visiting the high spots in the Eastern Superstitions. I was inspired to do this hike because of Peter's stories of taking groups through the wilderness without food or water on a true survival trek. Of course, we brought our own food.

From Campaign 256 we made our way up Reavis Gap 117 where Greg O. had to depart. We could not have done this hike without his effort to drive us to Campaign from First Water. Jason and I continued on to Reavis Ranch 109 where we were alone and had a restful lunch. We made our way to Elisha Reavis' grave and further on to Roger's trail 11o to the Cliff Dwellings and Angel's Basin for camp. We figured we had done 17 miles the first day. All Trails and On X Off Road had slightly different numbers for our hike.

Sunday we took off for Tortilla Pass via Rogers Trail and caught the JF trail 106. This eventually took us to the Northern end of the wilderness near Tortilla Ranch and Peter's trail 105. We took our requisite 1 hour break, shoved the food .down and walked up to the shoulders of Peter's Mesa. Got off trail a number of times I like cairns! We were pretty shot at this point and more or less fell down Peter's trail to Dutchmans 104 right by Charlebois. Water was not a problem in any of the drainages at this time of year following some heavy rains and snows two weeks prior.
We crossed the creek and stayed on the other side of the water in the bigger, sandier campsites. The weather was perfect all weekend. In the 70's with overcast most of the 2.5 days. On Monday I woke up as the sky was sprinkling on our tents. I packed up, bid Jason goodbye, and begun the hike back to my truck at First Water. I had been asking that we were on trail by 700am Saturday and Sunday so, after making it to Dutchman's Jason knew he could sleep in and hike out when he was ready.

Looking forward to even more challenging routes in the Superstitions next season!

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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