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| Hiking | 9.22 Miles |
3,351 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.22 Miles | 6 Hrs 18 Mns | | 2.12 mph |
| 3,351 ft AEG | 1 Hour 57 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Had to wait an hour for the freezing fog to lift this morning before heading out to play in the Pinalenos new snow. Loaded the new VH album into the Ipod and headed out to the SE Stockton Pass area where I know the snow won't last long and chose the Bear Canyon trail. The first couple of miles had just a few patches of snow and was no problem as I weaved my way up through the cool boulder sections and past Maverick Mountain. I started to hit snow on the trail at the 6500 foot level and by the 7500 foot level, I was in it up to my ankles and then the trail got tough! My socks were now starting to get wet, but with only a half mile left to get up to the saddle I couldn't turn back now. I continued up the switchbacks now in knee deep snow stopping & resting at every switchback and almost turning back 3 times. I thought I had another few switchbacks left when unexpectedly I came around a corner and there was the Bear Canyon/Ladybug Saddle/Dutch Henry intersection trail sign! I made it and I think for the first time ever on a hike, I gave out a victory yell! The top was a complete winter wonderland and was very beautiful complete with frozen pine tree tops and ice sickles hanging from the branches. I was now in need of a long rest, but the top was covered in deep snow so I had to hike back down a mile before finding a clear spot for a short nap. Reenergized I made it back down in no time and was very happy to finally have completed this outstanding trail. I never dreamed of completing it it snow, but that just made it 2x awesome! I've been hiking the last 2 years now with a bad back (slipped disc) so the elevation & snow on this one had me in a lot of pain and demanded a stop at Roper Lake on the way home for a long soak in the hot tub at sunset. Saw no signs of bear in Bear Canyon, but I had some great encounters with 6 white-tail does low on the trail and 3 coatis higher up while crossing one of the canyon washes.
This is one of the better Pinaleno climbing trails IMO - The trail is in great shape, lots of wildlife and awesome views to the south of the Greasewoods/Galiuros/Dragoons/Dos Cabezas Mountains. And btw, the new Van Halen stuff is worth the buy! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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