Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

A Serving of Palomino Mt/Aylor's Arch & Black Top Mesa

1/5/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
There I stood, atop Black Top Mesa, my first visit. I was a happy camper since the brutal ascent set by a hiking machine (more later) was over but I needed a break.  Thus, another very enjoyable experience with what I think is the premier hiking group in central/southern AZ, "Arizona Strong Hikers".  They have accepted me into their midst and given me a whack-job nickname.  Me, after having given dozens of nicknames to the undeserving cyclists in Ohio, am now on the receiving end of one.
Picture
Another early start at 7:30am up in the Superstitions so I put off the race across the desert in my car by 30 minutes so I'd have some light for some of the drive.  I thought if I ran a bit I'd catch the group but the trail was like this so 90% was walking and little running. Gotta keep the head down too on these trails but.....
Picture
….sometimes I would look up and snow is present on the north facing slopes of the "Supes".
Picture
During the 4 mile hike on the "Dutchman's Trail" I had some fine views of Weaver's Needle and other features.  After the 4 miles, I went off route, up to a saddle and dropped into a rocky wash.
Picture
While boulder skipping through the wash, one passes an abandoned mine (thanks to a fellow hiker for use of this image).  I did not catch the group because if you can not run, you ain't catching this bunch.  They hike at warp speed.  I reached a side canyon and began the short, .30 mile, but extremely steep, 33%, climb to Palomino Mountain. Eventually.....
Picture
….I reach the top and find them on the narrow fin that leads over to Aylor's Arch.  I get through the obstacles, arrive at the base of the fin and....
Picture
….climb on top.  I baby step may way for a little distance but the exposure on both sides was too much.  Yeah, I know, it appears you could drive a truck across that but it is very narrow.  Given time, I'm pretty sure I could have butt scooted across to the arch but instead I joined.....
Picture
….the others who also were reluctant to go arch sitting, far below.  Congrats to those who made it, about half our group.
Picture
The views were fantastic as always.  Soon we began the steep descent where Tracie and others....
Picture
….fell.  It's not only the steepness, it is the gravelly surface that makes for a precarious descent.  Once we make it out of the canyon we....
Picture
….begin boulder hopping back to the trail.  Doris on the left entertained us with stories of her youth when she burned ants alive with matches and enjoyed dissecting creatures in school.  Makes sense she became a nurse and now teaches nursing to others:) Having one major climb out of the way we headed toward Black Top Mesa. After a long climb we reach a saddle where hanging a right begins a .70 mile ascent with an average grade of 16%.
Picture
Four of us get ahead of the others and try to follow the torrid pace set by Gina. She is one of the fastest/fittest hikers I have encountered and certainly the fastest woman hiker.  Just as I was about to spit the bit, as the others had already done, the trail flattens and I survived.  Above, we catch Bill who had gotten a head start.
Picture
We all enjoyed the break and especially, the magnificent views. Our hike leader, Wade, looked for and found....
Picture
….a petroglyph whose origination dates back to when the Spanish explored the area.  Legend is the petroglyph has a clue to the location of a cave full of gold. Prospectors and explorers have been killed by making the mistake of encroaching on someone's claim or search.  With 7.7 miles so far, it was time to retrace our route albeit without the side excursion to Palomino Mountain and Aylor's Arch.
Picture
The descent off the Mesa and then from the saddle was brutal.  Finished with 14 miles and 2800' of climbing.  Now for the nickname.  If you live in Grosse Point outside of Detroit do you tell people you live in Detroit or GP?  Exactly.  Or, Encinitas rather than San Diego or Beverly Hills rather than Los Angeles??? So, when I am introduced as "Mark from Tucson" my knee-jerk reaction is to correct and say I am from Oro Valley.  So, the crew gave me the nickname "The Snob from Oro Valley"  wtf???  All in good fun of course.
1 Comment
Phil Livingston
1/11/2019 07:57:12 pm

Good write-up and photo gallery. Both of those are worthwhile hikes and take some extra effort to enjoy.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

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

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.