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| Hiking | 10.30 Miles |
1,437 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.30 Miles | 8 Hrs 2 Mns | | 1.40 mph |
| 1,437 ft AEG | 39 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | I indeed haven't been back to the Rogers Canyon ruins in over 20 years, and it's been on my list of places to visit again, so when J suggested it as our hiking destination, I quickly agreed. As we made our way to the trailhead, we passed plenty of folk setting up along the Queen Valley roadside for a day of shooting. It's safe to say that while I never remember 172/172A being particularly delightful to drive, neither fared well with the recent heavy rains - one area of 172 has washed away, leaving the cattle guard stranded above a mud wallow - luckily there was enough room in the adjacent wash to bypass around.
We were surprised (and slightly horrified) to discover 14 vehicles at the trailhead on arrival. Based on a pair of backpackers that arrived back at the trailhead as we were getting our gear together, everyone was up at the ranch. We set off down the trail, which surprisingly didn't seem significantly worse for wear with all the recent rains.
The hike down to the junction went by quickly - with only a pair of other folks encountered (they were on their way out after camping at Reavis Saddle for the night). We hit the junction and continued down Rogers Canyon. We were able to find long stretches of the trail as it wandered from side to side along either side of the drainage. As we got closer to ruins, the trail became harder to follow but bits of it are marked with flagging tape.
When we arrived at the ruins, J opted to give his ankle a break while I climbed up to explore. At first, I couldn't remember how to access the upper room, but eventually found a place to scramble up. Compared to older photographs, it doesn't look like much has changed. After poking around and taking my share of photos, I returned back down to the creek. Looking up, I speculated that there might be some additional ruins to see - I had glanced up-canyon while I was exploring, but didn't make any serious attempts at checking for a route up...perhaps something to do next time I find myself in the area (though not if I allow another 20 years to pass  ). We continued on down canyon a bit further to Angel Basin. For the most part, we were either in the creek bed, or routefinding and picking our way through the vegetation.
After a relaxing break enjoying the scenery and the sounds of the water flowing in the creek, we made our way back out. We had a little bit of shade cover in Rogers as we climbed out as the sun was blocked by the cliff. Unfortunately it didn't last, and it was definitely a warm hike back up and out. When we got back to the traihead, the place had cleared out with only one other vehicle parked beside ours.
It was definitely nice to get back out into this area of the superstitions. While J was reacquainting himself with the catclaw, I was getting chewed on by biting insects. If you head out that way in the near future, you might want to make sure you have your bug repellant of choice packed. I'm still covered in welts nearly a week later (but I'm delicate that way  ) |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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| Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
). We continued on down canyon a bit further to Angel Basin. For the most part, we were either in the creek bed, or routefinding and picking our way through the vegetation. 
)
