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Peak 5426 Day Hike
Mazatzal Mountains
December 4, 2011
by Bill Zimmermann
  GPS Map 
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Andy, Bill, and Eileen hike the Mazatzals.
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Cool, sharp-pointed agaves thrive in the Mazatzals.

We moved the start time back to 7:30. No need to beat the heat.

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Andy makes his way through snowy bushes.

What heat? Andy had to scrape ice off his windshield. We had clear skies and no wind as we left Red Mountain Park. Fog dropped upon us as we entered the Bush Highway.

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If we get much higher, we’ll be hiking in the clouds.
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Fog-bound on our walk up the road ...
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Then, a walk through the snow. [Andy Zaharchuk photo]
    On the way to the trailhead we were treated with great views and the rising sun played peek-a-boo in the fog.

We started the hike in sunshine. When we could see the peak between the breaks in low clouds or fog it appeared to be dusted with snow. Trip leader Bill had a little trouble finding the main road among all the ghost trails. As we traveled up FR1704 Bill pointed out the embarkment points to Boulder Bob TX1 and TX2.

When we came to a “Y” in the road we went left toward the corral. We ducked under barbed wire fence and hiked to the creek. We crossed the creek near a large cairn. However, once on the other side the faint resemblance of a switch back melted in the fog.

We bushwhacked up 200 feet to point “E” where the snow-covered vegetation was too thick to pass without our upper body getting soaked. Before turning back, Bill spotted a square stone and Andy went to check out the tall grasses (possible location of the spring). After working our way down to the stone tank, Bill and Eileen found a gate and went north of the fence line looking for a route with less vegetation. No luck.

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What’s a square stone doing here?
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Prickly pears with frosting.
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O.K. Bill, which way is it? [Andy Zaharchuk photos]
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Hiking the Mazatzals on a frosty morning. [Eileen Root photo]

A spot of sunshine broke through as we headed back to the creek crossing. We decided to explore the creek bed. We did some rock climbing as we hike up the creek to point “L” were we took a break for lunch. The sunshine was brief. As the wind picked up, we added layers. The lunch was brief.

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A sure way to beat the heat! [Eileen Root photo]

No peak 5426 today.

On the way back to the car at “RX” we explored an overgrown road to “E2” that ended at the wash. We followed fresh horse prints down to the car.

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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
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updated January 25, 2016