Mount Ord...A Ditch Too Deep

A 2 hour drive but it took me north of the Superstitions into an area I had not previously visited.  I went through Mesa, got on Bush Highway then St. Rt. 87 and arrived at...

...a very small parking area in a very remote location.  Oh well, I geared up and....

....began the hike on FS27.

There has been a lot of mining in the area and several remnants of it exist.

The fire of 2020 must have been especially intense in this area as all trees are mere skeletons now.

The road is easy to follow but lots of evidence of erosion from run-off.

At some point, someone maintained the road but at mile 2.6....

....I ran into this.  Too wide to jump and the ditch was much deeper than I am tall.  I walked back and forth, plotting, examining and saw there was a way out going forward but the way back was a wall of loose dirt.  I looked down canyon and it appeared I could exit the canyon eventually if I got stuck and...

....looking to the hill above the trench, more loose dirt and really steep.  I got about 3/4 of the way up but nothing to grab to pull myself farther.  I walked down the road to see another approach and then, checking the time, decided I ought to turn around.  OK, could I have found a way up, bushwhacked beyond the trench, probably but it would add too much time.

Looking to the north, I could make out the Mongolian Rim.  Bummed I did not arrive at the peak but am aware of an alternative and will be back soon.

Walking back, I noticed several other trenches being formed by water run-off which will soon create obstacles that may not be passable in time.  I doubt this road will ever receive the attention it deserves. 

The drive allowed me a good look at the Four Peak Wilderness.  Beautiful.