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Geronimo Cave Day Hike
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| GPS Route Map |
 Earthquakes? What, me worry? |
“The climbing is in spurts,” Ted explains as
we start from Peralta Trailhead on a warm, clear morning.
The Bluff Spring Trail, re-routed to connect with the Dons’ Trail, takes us up to a pass near the end of the ridge east of Peralta Canyon. Although we’ve hiked only 1/8 mile, we’re already high above the trailhead. The pass provides a fine view of the Quarter Circle U Ranch. |
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We turn north and continue climbing on the the Bluff Spring Trail. Soon we
can see Geronimo Cave up on the ridge ahead, Coffee Flat to the right, and
the Peralta Trail far below us on the left.
The Cave Trail branches off from the Bluff Spring Trail at a junction marked by a cairn. It’s easy to overlook. Ahead are three balanced rocks. The Bluff Spring Trail veers east at this point, to contour around the ridge on its way down to Barks Canyon. |
 Climb me if you dare. I’m the Devil’s Slide. |
 This is mighty steep. Are you sure it’s the trail? |
Cardiac Hill is our next climb. We reach a divide near the balanced rocks,
where everyone stops to rest and take pictures.
From here the Cave Trail meanders along the ridge, going generally northwest. Much of the route is over bare rock, with cairns to mark the way. The trail braids in several places where the main route isn’t at all obvious. Geronimo Cave is closer. We climb over rocks to find ourselves at the base of the Devil’s Slide. |
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Slickrock fingers extend down from the cave to where we stand. Two of them are
marked by cairns as possible routes to the top. Ted took the one on the right
last time, but today we try the left one.
It’s steep. Fortunately the rock surface is rough, providing plenty of hand and footholds. Halfway up, the slope moderates briefly and we all stop to rest. The formation of lava columns behind us is the Chimney. |
 You don’t suppose there are any bears in the cave ... |
 Rock puppy (top left) guards rainbow sherbet. |
The cave is just ahead of us, around the bend.
But at this juncture our leader isn’t feeling well.
Ted needs to lie down and rest for a few minutes before walking on.
A side trail takes us up to Geronimo Cave. The cave is shallow, but it provides a grand overview of Peralta Canyon and a good place for a picnic lunch. Northwest of the cave, the side trail rejoins the Cave Trail. Our original plan was to walk north another half mile to the Weavers Needle overlook. But our leader needs to go over to the Peralta Trail and head down. Everyone decides to go with Ted. The connector trail is poorly marked. After casting about, we eventually find it and walk west to join the Peralta Trail just above Calico Rock. |
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What a contrast! Our descent on the Peralta Trail is steady, providing fine
views of Geronimo Cave, fantastic lava formations on the left, and hoodos atop
the rugged ridge on the right.
The trail crosses the streambed three times on our way down, providing shady spots to rest under great boulders and thorny desert trees. Soon we reach the parking lot at Peralta Trailhead and begin our drive back to civilization. |
 Which end of the caterpillar? |
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| Home | Club Info | Officers | Meeting Minutes | Activities | Trip Reports | | Hike Descriptions | Trip Planning Guide | Lessons Learned | Links | Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona For comments regarding this site contact . updated October 26, 2006 |