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Cathedral Rock, Catalina Mountains, Tucson

11/21/2014

2 Comments

 
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Having made two attempts recently, not making it to Cathedral Rock was gnawing at me and so, back to Sabino Canyon Park on Thursday to try again.  I believe that is it, center/right, highlighted by the rising sun.  CR is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, which are a front range to Mount Lemmon.  It was going to be a long day but enjoyable.
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Gaining a little in elevation, I looked to the southwest.  Beautiful and glimmering in the sunshine was the observatory on top of Kitt Peak, way, way distant.
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My least favorite part of the hike, the mile long Cardiac Gap climb. I reached the top of the saddle in 1:30, total time from the parking lot, about the usual time.
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At mile 6.25, the trail, having emerged out of the canyon, rather steeply that contains Bridal Veil Falls arrives at a broad expanse of slick rock with a couple of large boulders.  Here, I stash my backpack and in a waist pack, carry about a liter of fluids, snack, etc... for the final push to the top.  Note the blue sky, which contrasts with.....
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....what I saw on Sunday when I turned around.  With 3000' of climbing, I have about that left which means, lots of climbing to go and about another 3 miles.
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The trail rises above Esperero spires with mountain ranges in the distance.  I make a right off Esperero Trail on to Cathedral Rock trail.  So far, the trail has been fairly easy to follow and since I have been on CR trail once before, I now know where not to become confused.  After meandering beneath a rock face, the trail emerges on to another saddle.  If you have read previous reports, you know here is where I missed the off trail route to Cathedral Rock and ended up walking down hill away from the objective.
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This time, I found the route, marked by cairns going steeply uphill but the cairns were spotty and I kept getting off the route.  Once I realize I am off a route, I retreat to the last cairn, begin an arc of reconnoitering to try to find the next cairn but this really slows the pace.  Frequently I would find a cairn, be encouraged and then, nothing.  Looking at my watch, I grew very frustrated and begin shouting expletives. What the heck, maybe it would scare off a mountain lion.  Finally....
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.....I decided to pick a spot, in this case that obvious notch, and shoved my way through the brush, fallen trees, up scree slopes, nasty.
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I arrived at the notch and faced a 12' wall and nothing to suggest this was the route.  Only later, coming back down did I find this was one way but that wall....  To the left was a hundred foot drop so scouted to the right.  I was running out of time but did bring a head lamp so while it would be useless up here in this morass of scrub, down below on the more obvious trail the lamp would be an asset.
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I found a series of cairns that led me along this ledge and up and up.  Exciting stuff to be sure.
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I finally made it.  I could see there were some spires that could be climbed that I understand, sitting on top of is amazing but no time for that. I shot some very cool video, a few pics, wolfed down some food....
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...admired the few a little longer, that's Mount Lemmon beyond the rocks.
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It's actually mesmerizing and I didn't want to leave but I began entering an anxiety phase because as I climbed down with the absence of cairns, everything looked different.  I'll admit to getting a little panicky.  Getting lost up here, not good.  I got off the trail but found a couple of cairns that led me to that notch I had bypassed earlier and it proved to be a shortcut too!!!!  The down climb was a little dicey but made it ok, got off trail, began a sweep, then just plunged through the thicket toward what I thought was the saddle with the Cathedral Rock trail and, what luck, found it.
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The sense of relief was palatable.  There are the Esperero spires way down there.  I ran into a guy from Germany who was headed to "The Window" another great hike.  I reminded him of sunset because I did not think he could get to the window and back prior to dark.  On the way down, I ran into a Tarantula, below.  Played with it for a moment and kept going, reaching the parking lot with an hour of daylight to spare, 6400' of climbing and 18+ miles.  Fun day.
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2 Comments
Cold in Ohio
11/21/2014 10:33:04 am

You have sure had an interesting time out in AZ. Enjoy reading the reports but especially the images.

Reply
Cindy
11/23/2014 10:02:20 am

How awesome! Looks like a great day of hiking.

Reply



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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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