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Dec 11 2021
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 Guides 2
 Routes 31
 Photos 902
 Triplogs 50

male
 Joined Sep 19 2020
 Phoenix
Peter's MesaPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 11 2021
ScottHikaTriplogs 50
Hiking19.65 Miles 4,291 AEG
Hiking19.65 Miles   9 Hrs   40 Mns   2.20 mph
4,291 ft AEG      45 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
I took a trip to Black Mountain Summit over Peter’s Mesa. I was trying to find summit logs but only got a few. I’m sure more have been up there but not many wrote about it? I figured I’d either be hiking in the dark in the morning or hiking in the dark coming back. I opted to sleep in and have breakfast with my family before heading out. I got to Tortilla 213 around 9am. There were 4 cars in the lot, which is a lot from my experience. Tortilla always looks dry to me and today the yellow hills were no exception. I’ve been here many times so I jumped on the trail without much ceremony. Soon I was at Peter’s 105 battling catclaw. We really need a trail crew to go through there with the big loppers and widen the narrowing passages. Some places are so think that it’s easier to go around than to stay “on trail”. I often do maintenance, but decided I didn’t have time to dilly-dally.

I’ve seen Peter’s in much better shape, but not crying about it. Not enough people ever tramp through there to make a really clear reliable trail. Also since it follows canyons, It’s hard to get lost and always alternate routes to be taken.
The rain 2 days ago left puddles and little more water for the duration of the hike. I always carry but have a filter too. Didn’t need it. There were still Sycamore and other trees showing fall colors in Tortilla Creek. Kane spring was running like clockwork and the actual spring source always looks the same. If you haven’t been there, the trees around the spring took a bad hit from the Sawtooth fire. Everything around it looks bad. Back on Peter’s I was again assaulted by the red rock bandit. Spray painted cairns kept popping up. I was thinking the painter was back?? I guess It’s possible that I missed a bunch the last few times? I did what I could, and disposed of a few dozen more red cairns.

I made pretty good time and was up top around 4 hours later. Searching I found no summit register so added a small one. There is a false summit (GPS says 10 feet lower) so I’m pretty sure I got the right one. Anyway just a formality if I didn’t, I suppose. It was hazy so the pictures came out ok but not stellar. I poked around a small bit but there isn’t much daylight this time of year. I had a snack and relaxed and then I put on my track shoes and made good time back to Tortilla a bit after dark.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Arizona Sycamore
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Kane Spring Quart per minute Quart per minute
water report recorded in the field on our app Route Scout

dry Tortilla Well Dry Dry
  4 archives
average hiking speed 2.2 mph

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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