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Jan 19 2022
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 Guides 1
 Routes 259
 Photos 10,458
 Triplogs 293

male
 Joined Jan 28 2010
 Fountain Hills,
JINX Benchmark-2880, AZ 
JINX Benchmark-2880, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2022
FLYING_FLIVERTriplogs 293
Hiking7.93 Miles 948 AEG
Hiking7.93 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   2.48 mph
948 ft AEG   2 Hrs   18 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Jinx Benchmark-2880 is in the South Maricopa Mtns. My trailhead was north of I-8, between Casa Grande and Gila Bend.

From the TH to Jinx, I initially used a road, then when I passed a catchment, the rest was a bushwhack, through rather open desert. There's a wash, curving around, that can either be used, or just crossed many times. I chose mostly to cross the wash, and go straight for Jinx BM Mtn.

I used a Jinx Mtn drainage to go straight up, and a curving ridgeline for my descent.
I recommend the ridgeline for the "up" and "down" the mountain. The drainage was your normal boulder and vegetation filled drainage, that gets quite steep at the top. The Jinx ridgeline I used was a very easy traverse. It curved around from the top of Jinx to almost a half circle.

I knew Jinx Benchmark-2880 had a USGS benchmark disk (1949) at the peak.
There's no datasheet online to view, so I relied on just a few online photos of the Jinx BM disk. Being a USGS disk (and not an 'NGS' disk), I assumed that there would be no reference marks to locate. My experience is, the USGS is "stingy" with using reference marks.

So — I was surprised up top, as I located three disks. The Jinx BM disk & two RM disks were up there, just waiting for me to show up. 😀 Good for the USGS.

The summit log includes some 'Usual Suspects', and then only a small handful of entries, until mine.

I had to smile while hiking back to the TH.
I came across a wildlife trail and followed it. Animals obviously have great survival instincts. I put my GPS in my pocket, and hitched a ride on their trail.
As I figured, their trail led me directly to that same catchment I passed earlier. It's probably their only water source in the area.
This was a fun hike.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Saguaro
_____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN
 
average hiking speed 2.48 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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