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| Hiking | 8.20 Miles |
1,118 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.20 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 1.37 mph |
| 1,118 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The hike through Roger's Canyon caught my eye for several reasons:
- I've never been hiking in the Sups before.
- 8.2 miles with minimal uphill sounded doable after a month of Oktoberfesting.
- The Xterra goes back to the dealer in a month - gotta flex out the 4WD while I got it.
- oooh - cave dwellings!
The drive out was just as great as everyone mentions. I shared the road with dirt bikers, 4-wheelers and RVs for the first half, but it was quiet for the last 5 miles. The road was in good condition and it was only the last push up the hill that needed high clearance or 4WD. I was surprised to see such a full lot at the trailhead, though.
Most of these cars were from a VOAZ work crew clearing the trail to the Roger's Creek / Reavis Ranch intersection. The others from backpackers at the Ranch, none of whom looked happy as I passed them making their climbs out. I was a little nervous at how strenuous this trail would be.
Of course, I just had a light day pack and the worst thing on the Roger's Canyon trail was a little overgrowth. As I zig zagged across the dry creek, I kept scanning the hills for the cave dwellings. Without a GPS I was using timing to gauge where they might be. I made the intersection in under an hour. Another hour later, I still hadn't seen anything.
The scenery was nice, but not spectacular. I think spring with a flowing creek and wildflowers would be better. But the cave dwellings would make up for that. Only where were they?! I was supposed to be able to see them from the trail. I pushed on for another 30 minutes, and arrived at the meadow and the intersection for Frog Tanks. Now the only possible caves could be in the rocks ahead of me. Another 30 minutes of bushwacking through catclaw and I was tired, hungry and very frustrated. I was 3 hours into my hike and standing in what felt like the middle of no where. I guessed I was 6 miles from the trailhead and well past the dwellings.
I had lunch and turned back. Maybe I'd see them from another angle. Even though I'd just hiked in, the trail back was hard to follow. Everything started to look the same, and still no sign of the dwellings. 2 hours later I finally made it back to the intersection, and soon was back at the parking lot. The X was the only car left.
I drove out as the sun set over the Sups and Phoenix. I was exhausted and felt no need to come out this way again. Next time I think I'll try something a little more obvious. Like Weaver's Needle. |
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