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| Hiking | 4.20 Miles |
1,903 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.20 Miles | | | |
| 1,903 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This is my first triplog. I've used this site many times and decided it time to join and contribute.
Saturday morning I woke up around 6am and headed east to the Superstition Wilderness. The last time I visited I summited Battleship. While kickin back at the top I heard some ruckus. Some serious squinting later I noticed a group of big horns on face of Geronimo Head. I decided then I would try to summit that next.
That was about a year and half ago. I had forgotten how much of a beast Geronimo Head is. My first glimpse of it drivin down 88 made my stomach drop. That mixed with the curry from the night before meant an immediate squat at the trailhead.
I parked in the Tortilla Flat overflow. The very end space. I set out down the little backroad which ends quick and then found a little ravine to trek in. Immediately I noticed the monolithic formation they call chimney rock. Take a wide route east around this, okay. Definitely bushwackin. The amount of growth is insane. Best spring I can remember since el nino 99 I think. Thick brush and cactus coupled with steep loose rock, I can see why this route has claimed an ankle and some flesh wounds.
Getting close to the fragile arch I was starting to doubt if I would actually make it to the top. I've had some time off from trail running and hiking and I was feelin it. I also wasn't sure on the exact route to take around the saddle. Deliberating for a moment I noticed cairns. A welcomed site. I followed them up around the saddle to what I called a valley. A nice resting spot between two massive rock formations. Great views and shade called for some relaxation and food. I could have gone back down and been content. Of course, I couldn't stop there though.
Like this description says, the next saddle looks gnarly. And it probably would be if it weren't for the cairns/sparse trail to lead through. It really wasn't bad. Over the saddle and into the ravine, now you can see the high point of the head. Unfortunately, I was on a schedule so looping around was out of the question. I had to reach the high point though.
The description made it seem like a pretty easy climb. I didn't find it to be that exactly. Maybe I cut up to quick, but it was super steep, heavily populated with cactus and just about every other plant in the region. As beautiful as it was tough which makes it enjoyable. Close to the top I was scrambling up some big rocks and noticed some hind legs and a fat lil tail occupying a crevice. Chuckwalla. First time seeing a chuck out here.
Finally, at 3509. Epic views in all directions. Not much cloud cover and high 80s but a nice wind provided relief. Ate my dark chocolate and oranges, chugged some water, took a few photos, studied my topo map a bit, stacked a couple rocks and it was time to head back. I seriously considered looping so I could get the view from the west face and see ol Battleship. It's always good to leave a little shortchanged. Keeps ya comin back for more. Next time.
Like I said I was pressed for time, but this isn't something you want to rush down. I had to constantly remind myself slow and steady keeps their ankle attached and blood in their veins. Slid more than a couple times. Once into a prickly pear which stabbed my pants right wear my wallet rested. Dumb luck that. Pulled out the spines, left the glochids and kept movin. Found a couple bones of what I assume to be big horn but not positive. Was really hoping to see some roamin the rocks but none to be seen.
Coming back around the monolith (chimney rock) I tried to keep with the cairns but they eluded me. They seemed to head more east of tortilla flat toward the tent site which was not my parking spot anyway. I bushwacked it til I hit the little ravine that lead back to overflow parking lot. I was the only car there when I left. Now about 1230pm cars, trucks motorcycles, van, busses, wagons, (maybe not wagons) dotted the lot. Some intense leg stretches and funny looks from arriving tourists and I was homeward bound.
Now I can't stop wondering about the view from the west side. And of course theres the Malapais to think about. |
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