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Brian Posts: 225
1/17/2022
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This is a repeat of the loop I did last year when I ran into Darren and Gary (with a slight variation this time as I went down a different ridge). On last year's trip I felt like I was rushing through it since it was a hot day and I was worried about my water supply. This time I tried to plan in a way that would give me more time to explore. I didn't find much in the way of native artifacts and the problem this time wasn't with the logistics of the trip but rather my personality. I find it hard to linger in an area and look around when I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I have a drive to always be moving forward.
So this turned into a different kind of trip. At 1 PM I found myself on a nice plateau where I has planned to camp, and I had my tent, food and plenty of water. And I couldn't bring myself to stop, knowing that I had enough daylight to complete the loop that day.
The final descent was a one mile stretch that took me 2 hours. It ended up being a 10 hour / 15 mile hike with no breaks. This ended up being a different type of day than I had planned, but that's one of the things I find interesting about going to the desert. I often find something different than what I was looking for.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
1/18/2022
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Great report Brian. I totally get your feelings on the need to 'keep moving'. That area(pic 6) looks like it would be fantastic to camp at. Sound like a great time and really good mileage for that terrain. Villager is calling your name.. 
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Brian Posts: 225
1/18/2022
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Rocko1, that area in pic 6 is right at the top of the ridge spur I went down (just before dropping into the wash if you were going up). That is the reason I took that pic - there were so many spots in that area that looked perfect for camping. And since it's only a mile from the valley floor, I figured I would keep it in mind as an option for a future "easy" trip. But right after that I hit a boulder field and then it was super steep the rest of the way down. I realized it would still be a nice place to camp, but there's nothing easy about getting there.
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Buford Posts: 456
1/18/2022
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Now that looks like a fun and adventurous loop! What day did you do it? I saw footprints on Rockhouse Truck Trail this weekend near the old trail leaving Rockhouse Canyon that you took. Was the petroglyph photo one of the ones near Corp BM? I assume the loop was clockwise?
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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Brian Posts: 225
1/18/2022
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Buford wrote:
Now that looks like a fun and adventurous loop! What day did you do it? I saw footprints on Rockhouse Truck Trail this weekend near the old trail leaving Rockhouse Canyon that you took. Was the petroglyph photo one of the ones near Corp BM? I assume the loop was clockwise?
I did the loop on Sunday 8AM-6PM, and yes it was clockwise. If I did it again I would probably go counterclockwise since descending that ridge was no fun. With my limited climbing ability I figured clockwise was more of a sure bet for this time.
There were other footprints besides mine for most of the route with one exception. As I was heading down the wash toward the ridge I descended, there were mountain lion tracks but no footprints. Then when I got to the split in the wash there were lots of footprints again, evidently on the Dawn's Peak expressway.
The petroglyph wasn't one of the ones near Corp. It was near the top of the trail you mentioned coming out of Rockhouse (and thanks for confirming it's a petroglyph - I was pretty sure it was but I often see patterns in the color of rocks and on closer inspection I'm not sure).
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Buford Posts: 456
1/18/2022
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Brian wrote:
Buford wrote:
Now that looks like a fun and adventurous loop! What day did you do it? I saw footprints on Rockhouse Truck Trail this weekend near the old trail leaving Rockhouse Canyon that you took. Was the petroglyph photo one of the ones near Corp BM? I assume the loop was clockwise?
I did the loop on Sunday 8AM-6PM, and yes it was clockwise. If I did it again I would probably go counterclockwise since descending that ridge was no fun. With my limited climbing ability I figured clockwise was more of a sure bet for this time.
There were other footprints besides mine for most of the route with one exception. As I was heading down the wash toward the ridge I descended, there were mountain lion tracks but no footprints. Then when I got to the split in the wash there were lots of footprints again, evidently on the Dawn's Peak expressway.
The petroglyph wasn't one of the ones near Corp. It was near the top of the trail you mentioned coming out of Rockhouse (and thanks for confirming it's a petroglyph - I was pretty sure it was but I often see patterns in the color of rocks and on closer inspection I'm not sure).
Actually, now that you mention it I am not sure it is a petroglyph  . I do know there is at least one glyph in that area. I don't know if I could find it again, someone else showed it to me a couple years ago. My car was parked at the end of Rockhouse Truck Trail all day Sunday so you probably walked past it. I am surprised there were that many footprints on the loop in general.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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ziphius Posts: 911
1/18/2022
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Good-looking trip! My favorite moments camping are when I set a multi-night campsite, take off the big pack, hunker down by a boulder, get out the binoculars and wait for the animals to show up.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/19/2022
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Great TR, thanks for sharing. I know when I am out by myself I also tend to not stop. I have learned to appreciate taking some breaks and poking around, it is amazing what you can find when you start looking and take your time. 
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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rockhopper Posts: 668
1/23/2022
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Nice loop trek. Well, at least you got a great work out lugging full camping gear on a day hike. Next time, dump the pack and camp. That's my favorite time to hike. Hiking with a day pack all day from a base camp in the wilderness. Cheers. Nice pics.
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