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| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
977 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 1.43 mph |
| 977 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Special note to this hike: The recent write-up by David N Letlet appeared after I had done my research on the Wave Cave. (wouldn't you know)
For today's hike, I wanted to get out on the Lost Goldmine Trail to check out a couple of features along the way to the Wave Cave. I parked the Ranger at Carney Spring Trailhead and following the normal preparations, started out. The sun was still well behind the mountains to the East at the 0600 hour as I walked North and East along Peralta Road towards the trailheads.
I reached a two-wheel trail that was heading back in towards the Dacite Cliffs and branched off on it until I contacted the Lost Goldmine Trail. I followed the trail until I came upon the fallen remains of the Giant Saguaro. I have been on this trail several times over the last couple of years and always stop to take a couple of photos of this magnificent monster Saguaro with the Three Sisters and Superstition Ridgeline in the distant background.
I had read that someone had actually counted 40 arms on this giant Saguaro that dwarfed all others in the vicinity. Now, all that remains is a crumpled up frame of the once proud giant. I often have to wonder as to the age of this Saguaro and the stories it could tell, for it must surely have been here as the Peralta expeditions were working the Mountains a few miles North of here in search of fabulous riches.
With the lump in my throat dwindling, I proceeded on, passing the entrance to the Superstition Wilderness and the Carney Spring Trailhead. The sun was just now beginning to break over the mountains around the Barkley Basin giving them a dark silhouette against the early dim orange, cloudless sky. While ahead of me, the Three Sisters formation was literally glowing in that first light. As the sunlit area slowly progressed downward, eventually it lit up the entrance to the Wave Cave.
I continued along the Lost Goldmine Trail until I figured I had crossed the last of the washes draining down from the cliffs alongside the cave and then crossed the barbed wire fence into the Superstition Wilderness. By now I had lost visual contact with the cave entrance, but I soon found a small cairn on a large boulder and figured I was on the path (there were no trails through the brush). I continued to the North finding an occasional cairn to guide me towards the rock formations ahead.
The angles suddenly became very steep and the footing was tenuous on the loose gravel and eventually, the cairn's quit and I had reached a dead end. My GPS indicated that I had reached the 3,000 foot level, which should be the same as the cave. Ahead was a steep section of smooth rock and on either side was steep drop-offs. I searched for a way around, but biting the bullet, I had to descend the way I came up.
The sun was becoming pretty warm by now and I was working up a good sweat after my strenuous hike to nowhere. I got down to somewhat level ground and took a break while looking around the hills for the cave. I finally decided that the heat, exercise and heavy clothing had taken their toll and I should plan on returning another day when the temperature was more accommodating. When I got back to my pick-up, sure enough, there was a cold beer waiting for me. In spite of the 10:00am hour it tasted mighty fine.
Until a more defined trail can be formed, the long sleeve shirt and full length pants are a must to minimize the effects of the Catsclaw and other sharp brush. The trail I was following had areas of sparse vegetation and avoided the dry washes and boulder fields and went quite quickly over a gradual incline. Once at the rocky outcropping, you could guide to the right side closer to the dry wash until the final assault to the cave. |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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