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| Hiking | 2.50 Miles |
1,254 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.50 Miles | 3 Hrs 12 Mns | | 0.80 mph |
| 1,254 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | 8 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | While bagging Peaks 2669 and 2700 two days earlier I took a photo in this direction and when I got home and looked at it I noticed something of interest. Using Google Earth I scrolled from Peak 2700 in the general direction of the photo until I located the objects in question. Once I knew the location it was a matter of the best way to get close. Having driven out this way last year with my Samurai I figured I'd take the Cherokee to get as close as I could before doing a loop hike on a triple-digit day.
Due to the expected temps and my experience in the last few weeks with early am hike, rather than deal with 80° & 25% humidity early morning, I'd much rather start after 9 am when it was more like 85° & 12% humidity. Although it crossed into triple-digits before I finished, with a very stiff breeze I hardly felt the heat.
The highlight of the hike took place just after I had taken a short break near the stock tank. From 30 feet away I spotted a brass marker looking like a benchmark so I went up to it and took a few photos. The marker included a number of interesting items:
1. ADBSS = Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
2. USFS = United States Forest Service
3. AZ G & F DEPT = Arizona Game & Fish Department
4. Cottonwood Spring Catchment
5. March 1996
6. SINE AQUA MORTIS = Without Water We Die (Quite appropriate, I'd say)
While contemplating what it all meant I heard a slight whispering sound. And when I looked up there barely two feet away was a rattlesnake slithering up out of the water tank. As it reached the top it began to buzz away and the first thing that came to mind was what a great video opportunity!
I had already been filming some of the hike with a GoPro camera on my forehead so I turned it on while taking a few shots with my old Canon PowerShot S5-IS (my SX 260HS is being replaced for the THIRD time!) then filming as well. The logistics quickly became a challenge due to the varying capabilities of the two cameras but I think I managed it pretty well while attempting to get the rattler in a number of poses. Although I posted both videos, even at 1280 x 720 the fixed lens GoPro video wasn't near as good as the 640 x 480 with the S5.
Be sure to check out the 640 x 480, paying special attention at the 1:35 mark. Note that when the rattler goes into the shadow it whips around, as though it thought something (a hawk?) may be swooping down. I surmised that because it had done the same thing earlier when I held my hand above it so the shadow covered it.
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=526
After that fun it was time to head back, but instead of the way I came I decided to climb eastward up the rocky slope to the saddle then down the other side. Up at the saddle I got a little vertigo and figured maybe I should re-think this route. Steep? Check. Loose rock? Check. Almost no handholds? Check.
But then I thought, I'm here, I'll start down and see how it goes, if it gets too bad I'll climb back up. I dropped down a whole 20' and thought, this isn't for me! Unfortunately, it was too loose to climb back up so I was committed now. But with some very slow and careful moves (required especially due to the two hiking poles being a real hindrance, just getting in the way) along with a few semi-controlled slides I made it through the treacherous spots, now to deal with the thick brush and a few drops in the drainage and I was home free!
Overall a warm but fun hike... I'll be back soon to bag a peak I had previously thought (from the west) was beyond my capability but after some recon photos I will attempt it from the east. |
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