Schmutz Spring Traillhead to The Dome
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| The Dome. |
Check out the professional trip log created by Arnie. [Notice the page numbers. That is because he has added this trip report to his previous log book, of which there are several volumes.]
Photos
April 19-21, 2009
Schmutz Spring Trailhead to The Dome
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| Diane on the Tuckup Trail in search of water pockets. |
Drive Day: Arrived at Kanab at 4:00pm. Saw Andre (Prescott college). Gus and Sandra arrived at 5:00pm. Headed to Houston's for dinner.
Day 1: On road at 6:15 am with coffee stop at Silver Eagle for Harvey's breakfast. Quick stop at Azars for weather report. Azar reports rutted roads and loaned us a shovel, said plenty of water. On road at 6:45; on trail at 9:30. At junction to Schmutz Spring at 10:40. Gus, Sandra and Harvey down to Sharman's Gallery. Harvey went cross country to drop down to wash of Sharman. Can't see w Tuckup Trail, so we head out, cross country (and look for Harvey along the way). Temperature in shade is 78 degrees. Gus and Sandra back at 1:20, and on trail/route to find Harvey. Found arch/window at 2:20 and took picture. Then took pix of The Dome. At Cottonwood Spring at 4:30. Everyone is tired and thirsty. No water pockets on the way to here. Will have discussion after dinner on what to do tomorrow. Dinner at 5:30. Decision to have layover at this camp, but take exploratory day hikes toward Dome tomorrow to look for water pockets. Heck, even Azar thought there was plenty of water out here. At 7:20, we are all kicking back, listening to the frogs crock in creek while writing in log book or ready at book (Harvey). It is now 61 degrees. Really nice out. To bed at 7:50.
Day 2: Up at 5:45 with 60 degree temps in tent, 47 degrees outside. Breakfast, then filled up all water containers, packed water pump, lunch and water for the hike out toward Dome (maps with us too). Ready to get started at 7:00, just waiting for Harvey now...on trail at 7:05. At 8:35 stop in shade to check map. Rest. At 8:55 back on trail. At 9:55 found only one small pocket...less than one quart, and one mud pocket. Found shade under two pine trees. Will wait here couple hours before heading back to camp. Discuss alternate plans..to hike out part way this evening, so we can get early start in cool temps out in the morning. Left shade at 10:45 to head back to camp, with stop in shade for lunch. Found small shade at 11:33 under rock. Lunch (with view of Dome). At 12:48, left shade after finding tick on hat and was losing shade. Back at camp at 1:55 (de-ticked). By 2:15 it is 80 degrees in shade. Are talking about starting back about 5:30 tonight, to do two hours closer to hike out. Dinner time at 4:30, already have everything packed to go. Sun over cliff at 5:17, time to leave. Made camp at 7:15, below rock where we found Harvey on day one. Getting dark at 7:40. Told everyone to watch for meteors tonight; 65 degrees at bed time. We probably walked 10 miles total today. Clock set for 4:25 AM.
Day 3: Up at 4:30 and on trail at 4:48. Back at trail junction at 5:28 and at trailhead at 6:55. On road at 7:20 to head home. At Fredonia at 9:00, Jacob Lake Lodge for breakfast at 10:00. Home at 4:30.
Photos
April 9-14, 2006
Willow Canyon to Toroweap
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| Looking toward The Dome from Tuckup Trail. |
Drive Day: First we went to the Hikers Symposium at the South Rim, then we drove up to Toroweap campground. Arrived at camp about 7:15 pm, with Marcia and Theresa who we caught up with at Ranger station. At 8:00pm, Pam and Tim arrive. At 9:30-10:00pm, we had salmon, steak and salad, traditional menu for this trip leader. To bed at midnight. Only a little cool tonight. Comfortable tent under ledge, but won't get sun in morning.
Day 1: Up at 6:15 am after listening to others mouse about. Breakfast of eggs, fried potatoes and Canadian bacon. Parked one vehicle at Tuckup Trailhead parking lot, drove others to Willow Canyon trailhead. Could not drive through road as planed. Had to go north on BLM to Schmutz Spring Road. Parked at road to Willow Canyon (road closed too) and hiked the 2-1/2 miles to rim. Started at 11:15; at 12:30 started down route, quickly got to shoot that required one-at-a-time slide down. Then it is across steep talus to look for break in Coconino. At break about 5:00pm, and Pam was exhausted. Dave & Pam stayed at top of Coconino and rest of us started down. Got to camp at 7:00 pm (and 7:45 for Tim and Hazel). Knees gave out (pinched) 20 minutes before camp. Plenty of water in Willow Springs. Sat with Tim to have dinner and now I'm going to lay down (at 9:00pm).
Day 2: Woke about 7 AM after nightmares of falling off cliffs. At 7:30, we heard Tom yell from rim. At 8:15 heard voices from up the "trail". At 8:30, Tim spotted hikers. At 9:30 Tom in camp. Hazel and Tim go up wash to help Pam with pack. Tom resting. Tom said he had something for me. I put on my shoes and empty pack and headed up to help carry Pam's stuff. Back at 10:30 and Tom gave me a hug from my guy, Dan. He is such a sweetheart1 At 11:15, took off for a 1-hour walk toward The Dome. Had lunch. Took a nap--nice nap. Back to camp at 2:00. Only saw birds and lizards. Walked up to spring to fill water bottles. Gathered around Tim's kitchen for stories. Clouds rolled in; tent flys up. Cooler temps. Tim served up steak (to Pam & Dave). I had stead jerky and cheese. To bet at 8:00pm. Moon out and sky is clearing. Clouds rolling in again. Windy.
Day 3: Clear skies this morning. Up at 7AM after listening to others mouse about; also heard Pam in middle of night reading aloud. Apparently, that is something they do often to try to sleep. Breakfast at 8:00 after packing. Will stop for water at creek bottom on way out. Filled up at creek bottom and headed up at 9:00. Stop for regroup at 10:15. Off toward Coyote Knolls at 10:40. Arrived at Coyote Knolls at 11:40. Nice route over. Scattered clouds, but only in distance; all sunny here. Took break and short hikes until 2:30, then back on trail. Dropped down at Stairway to Esplanade for water. Arrived at first hole at 3:15. Waiting for other hikers. Clouds rolling in. Headed out at 3:45. Made it to another water pocket at 4:20. Made camp. Heard an eagle in Stairway. Ate my dinner then set up tent, although probably don't need it. Then headed to Dave's for pizza. Back at camp by 7:45. At 8:10, heard owl hoot. Done with sponge bath and change of clothes. Gurgle in stomach very low tonight. Oh oh. Hope I don't need extra tp.
Day 4: Up at 6:15 to blue skies. Will drink up from pot hole before hitting trail and carry only two quarts to next refill hole (hopefully). Stopped in shade at Mushroom rock at 11:00 and for lunch and wait for heat of day--no water pockets here. Start to hike around Big Point at 2:15. Stop at 3:15, but need to hike another clip. By the time we regroup and head down the trail, it is 4:10, with destination to hike till 5:00 and water found. Done. Pockets down below on edge of drop off. Looks like it hit nearly 80 degrees today. Hot hiking day.
Day 5: Up at 6:15 again. Need to go at least 1/2 to end today. Left camp at about 7:45. Found good size pothole and filled up. Continued until noon, to overhang and two pot holes. Left shade at 1:45, everyone antsy to move on to camp. Explored an overhand and found inscription M. (Mel) Johnson 1941. Stopped at point around 3:45, with large pot holes at end of point. Made camp. Ate tuna and noodles with Mortensons. Only have 4-1/2 miles to get to vehicle, so changed plan...to hike out tomorrow. To bed tonight at 8:45...hope I can sleep...didn't get to sleep night before until at 11:30pm. Some clouds tonight overshadowing the full moon rise. Heard some sheep grunting up Burro Canyon. Warm tonight.
Day 6: Up at 5:50 to overcast skies. Looks like rain is coming. Ready to hike about 7:30. Back at vehicle at 11:45. Drivers on road at 12:05. Pam, Hazel and I left behind with all the gear. Cloudy overhead.
Photos.
September 1998
Schmutz Spring Trailhead to Cottonwood Spring
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| On the Tuckup Trail on the way to Cottonwood Spring. |
Photos.