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| Hiking | 12.89 Miles |
1,900 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.89 Miles | 4 Hrs 59 Mns | | 2.79 mph |
| 1,900 ft AEG | 22 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | I guess I can't link the whole AZT segment just because we walked it for a couple miles. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
My goal was to start early to assure being done before storms kicked in. Bruce suggested starting at 9:30.  I negotiated it back to 8. Still 2 hours later than preferred, and 4 hours later than 0'geckolp-thirty. Oh well.
Plenty of roads out this way, many closed to vehicles, and many that still get vehicles despite the MVUM status. We put some effort in to wander through the woods, which as usual on the Colorado Plateau is a fairly pleasant offering. Near the summits of both Hutch and Mahan, some thicker oak growth with an occasional spritz of locust kept us on our toes.
The route off the north ridge of Hutch featured what seemed to be a real trail for a good stretch. Was it just an elk route? Does it get hunter use? Eventually it sort of petered out and we found an old two track that dropped into a really picturesque meadow area before cutting across to the Gooseberry area. This is a no-go on the MVUM, but I've never not seen folks camped here, so apparently enforcement is lax.
The AZT stretch was noneventful before we cut away finding an old two track leading up the south slope of Mahan. I'd been up here years ago, but forgot the details. Apparently there used to be a tower here. No sign of the benchmark or reference marks despite the map showing there should be one.
It rained a bit and thunder clapped a little close, so I wasn't keen on staying on the summit for long. Sure would have been nice to have been up here an hour or two earlier... 
Spooked a half dozen large bull elk. Eagle eyes says they were in velvet. I just saw a few impressive racks. Whatever. We chased them down the hill back to camp and enjoyed a quick lunch.
Good to see Bruce. Thanks for allowing me the extra 3 hours of sleep!  |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
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