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Soldier Canyon--No Bone Saw Needed

3/15/2018

2 Comments

 
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Many times while riding my bike up Mountain Lemmon I have passed this inviting canyon at the first hairpin curve on Catalina Highway.  I explored it last year but had to turn around due to darkness.  With today being unusually cool, I decided to try again.
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Massive boulders and other obstruction patiently wait while I figure out a way around over or sometimes under.  I really enjoy the challenge of solving a way forward, balancing on gigantic boulders, leaping from one to the other but always being careful.....
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....not to slide into some crevice where I would be required to hack off an arm or leg in order to escape.  Looking back, cyclists are a steady presence on the highway but with the temp at the mountain top around 20 degrees cooler (around 40) most will turn around prior to the top.
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Multiple waterfalls cascade down various obstacles, all known as Santa Catalina Gneiss. The color is amazing.  The above 100' wall is a Class 2 scramble so not too difficult but a fall would be bad so I carefully ascend the left side which has good holds/ledges.
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In the sand, I am reminded that various creatures have left their prints behind and are likely watching me from the above slopes.
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When I was here last fall, there was no water flowing so I could walk where now water forces me to find alternatives. Always there was one.
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That knife edge boulder can be climbed via the spine but that looks too tricky so I found an alternative up the left side. Upon finally exiting this pile....
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.....I had the satisfaction of looking back, a good feeling of accomplishment.
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Every once in awhile there would be some relief from the massive boulders and the walking was easy on slick rock.  Just not often enough.
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The remains of a huge Cottonwood tree.
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Nearing the end and at about mile 1.8, a family of falls is navigated and then....
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.....at mile 2, the canyon narrows considerable and I squeeze by the tree to find....
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....a Class 4 wall to scramble.  Doable even by me but the water limited some of the options and those options can be like ice so I decided not to do the final climb that brings you to a dead end.  I have read that once above this wall, you can climb a steep slope and find the Solider Trail that would take one back to Catalina Highway, not far from where the car is parked.
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I decided to retrace my route through this beautiful canyon, enjoying the many challenging obstacles.  Finished with 4 miles and 1550' of climbing.  Well, back to the bike!
2 Comments
Sir Edmund
3/18/2018 06:20:27 am

All of your hiking reports are interesting but this one was especially so. Thanks!

Reply
Mark
3/18/2018 07:48:57 am

Thank you. I am glad you enjoy the content and images.

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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