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| Gleeson area - Browns peak, AZ | |
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| | Gleeson area - Browns peak, AZ | | | |
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Gleeson area - Browns peak, AZ
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| Hiking | 4.10 Miles |
953 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.10 Miles | 3 Hrs | | 1.37 mph |
| 953 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This hike was longer and steeper than I originally thought it would be. I walked the old mining road that was heavily eroded. I ended up walking 1/3 of a mile too far North, then turn back around again to get back to where I was supposed to be. So, you can take about 2/3 of a mile off my total distance if you skip that part.
At a junction, I took the road going East. Within a few minutes, I saw a lone black cow standing in the shade of a tree. I was probably only 20 feet away and he didn't run from me. I suspect he was used to seeing people at times. Not long after seeing the cow, I got off the road and headed in the direction of the saddle North of Browns peak. I was probably on the road for only 1/4 mile or less. From here it was an open country hike. I stepped over a low barbed wire fence and then saw a deep wash to my right. I headed uphill, staying left of the canyon which went to the direction of the saddle. After hiking for another 10-20 minutes, I saw a strange shiny metal looking object up high in the canyon. From this point, it was hard to tell what it was but I suspect an old wrecked vehicle. I went in that direction because it was something interesting to see. When I got there, I saw the frame of an old 1960's vehicle, it still had the engine, but virtually everything else was stripped from it. I didn't see a VIN# and only the rusted engine remained. No dashboard, no electronics, no wheels. I saw some graffiti on the vehicle from May 3, 1969, so it seemed like it's been here for at least 54 years.
After taking photos and video of the wrecked car, I continued to climb up the canyon. At times I needed to use all fours as it was very steep. Eventually I made it to the old mining road, which was at least 200-300 feet from the wrecked car. Once on the road I walked to the saddle which was the best place to ascend Browns peak. From the saddle it was quite steep, rocky and grassy. I just took my time. I had to weave through some large rock formations. Eventually, I made it to the top. I found a registry at the peak and the last recorded summit was in Sept, over 1 year ago. I also found a US survey marker dated 1957, which seems like one of the later dates I've seen for US survey markers.
On the way down, I hiked carefully down to the saddle. I saw some mine tailings Northwest of the saddle so I walked over to explore the area. There was a sign there that said "Registered Mining Claim". This time I took the old mining road downhill for about 0.3 miles. Looking ahead to the left, the ridge looked a lot less steep so this seemed like a better way to go. I dropped down a short steep area that might have been 100 to 200 feet long. Then, the slope got easier as I descended. I headed Southwest toward the main road. This part of the hike was an open Country hike and I only needed to weave around brush and some obstacles. There were some pretty large agave with tall stalks on the way down the upper slope. When I got close to the road, I saw that same barbed wire fence. I found a section going over a wash that was easy to duck under. Once back on the road, I saw the same cow in a different place this time. He didn't seem to surprised to see me and he didn't run away, similar to the start of the hike. I walked back the washed-out road to where I parked.
Driving directions. Take Gleeson Rd to the center of Gleeson, AZ. Go North on High Lonesome Rd. The road turns to dirt quickly.
Continue North for 1.5 miles. Make a sharp right on W Cross C Ranch Rd. At next junction, stay left. I drove less than 1/2 mile down this road and parked my 4x4 truck. The dirt road is washed out in a few places. I parked because I felt that it was easier to walk this road than drive it.
Total round-trip distance = 4.1 miles
AEG = 953 feet
Strava moving time = 2 hrs 7 mins
Strava elapsed time = 3 hrs 56 mins |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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