16 hours to the Devils Mouth
Destination: Devils Chasm in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness in Eastern AZ
The alarm went off at 4am and I had the Jeep packed and ready to roll just before 5am. I went a few blocks over to pickup my friend Chris who would be joining Spencer, Mark, and myself on this trip. Chris has a FSJ but is not currently up to par for anything other than local runs. Chris and I headed East from Maricopa through Casa Grande and Coolidge over to Florence while Mark and Spencer were heading from Chandler and Mesa respectively.
We all meet shortly after 6am and exchanged hellos and introductions. This was my first time meeting Mark and Chris's first time meeting either of the guys. We left Florence and headed South to the Florence Kelvin Hwy and then headed East towards Kearny. The sky was severely lacking clouds this morning so my plans to shoot around the boulders area was shot. We continued on and made another brief stop at the overlook of the Ray Mine.
Having some COM issues at this point we decided that we would consolidate vehicles in Superior. We settled on two vehicles with a driver and navigator in each and then high tailed it to Globe and out to Hwy 288 before turning onto Cherry Creek Rd/ NF203. After about 20 miles we reached the trail head to Devils Chasm.
Having done some brief research on the trail it was unclear how difficult this hike was going to be. Between the route finding, elevation change of 1000 ft, distance of 2.5 miles each way, and the heat- it was not the easiest hike I have ever done.
A small waterfall about 0.5 miles into the hike
Almost to the destination we reach the first large waterfall.
The large rock in the center of the picture is over 20 ft tall and the only way to get above it to crawl through a small opening to the right of the falls. There is a rope to help climb up to the hole, however with a large camera backpack and a tripod the climb and hole are a bit of a pain and slow going.
From the top of the hole
Mark, while standing on top of falls, gets a shot of the narrow canyon we had just ascended.
After the first waterfall there is a second waterfall to ascend.
Spencer making his way up the second waterfall.
While Mark and Spencer ventured on to look for a hidden Indian Ruin I stayed behind with Chris who was really feeling the effects of the heat and the hike.
After thirty minutes of hanging out and seeing the clouds start to build a loud thunder clap brought immediate concern. We were in a slot canyon of sorts and any decent amount of rain would make the slick rock very difficult to navigate as well as being right in the path of a flash flood. Chris and I immediately began looking for a safe place to wait out the storm in case Spencer and Mark were not able to get back before the storm opened up. Luckily Spencer and Mark immediately turned around and high tailed it back down the canyon after hearing the same thunder. Just as they descended the second waterfall the storm opened up and began to rain.
We trudged, slipped, and slided our way 2.5 miles back to the trucks in record time being pummeled by rain the entire way. Of course as soon as we reached the vehicles the rain stopped. :rolleyes It was now 3:00pm and as we snacked on food, re-hydrated ourselves and discussed what was next for the day. We decided we would make our way back out to Hwy 288 and make a decision at that point- after all we still had more than a dozen washes to cross including three very large crossings which two had already had water in them. As we headed back down NF203 we were hit with a few storms but still made time to stop for a few pictures.
One of two snakes we stopped for
The storm that we left behind.
These guys had passed us and then caught back up to us. They were looking to visit the same area we had just left. I told them to look behind them towards the storm in the area and informed them they would be very stupid to continue on.
I guess this is one way to have tires for every terrain
After reaching Hwy 288 we headed North a little ways to Parker Canyon and couldn't help buy get a few shots of the trucks.
After the posing session we headed back to Globe and stopped in Miami for some Mexican food. After a good meal we dropped Mark at his truck in Superior and all went our separate ways. It was 9pm before I rolled into my neighborhood exhausted, muddy, but happy to have had a great day with some great guys.
The alarm went off at 4am and I had the Jeep packed and ready to roll just before 5am. I went a few blocks over to pickup my friend Chris who would be joining Spencer, Mark, and myself on this trip. Chris has a FSJ but is not currently up to par for anything other than local runs. Chris and I headed East from Maricopa through Casa Grande and Coolidge over to Florence while Mark and Spencer were heading from Chandler and Mesa respectively.
We all meet shortly after 6am and exchanged hellos and introductions. This was my first time meeting Mark and Chris's first time meeting either of the guys. We left Florence and headed South to the Florence Kelvin Hwy and then headed East towards Kearny. The sky was severely lacking clouds this morning so my plans to shoot around the boulders area was shot. We continued on and made another brief stop at the overlook of the Ray Mine.
Having some COM issues at this point we decided that we would consolidate vehicles in Superior. We settled on two vehicles with a driver and navigator in each and then high tailed it to Globe and out to Hwy 288 before turning onto Cherry Creek Rd/ NF203. After about 20 miles we reached the trail head to Devils Chasm.
Having done some brief research on the trail it was unclear how difficult this hike was going to be. Between the route finding, elevation change of 1000 ft, distance of 2.5 miles each way, and the heat- it was not the easiest hike I have ever done.
A small waterfall about 0.5 miles into the hike
Almost to the destination we reach the first large waterfall.
The large rock in the center of the picture is over 20 ft tall and the only way to get above it to crawl through a small opening to the right of the falls. There is a rope to help climb up to the hole, however with a large camera backpack and a tripod the climb and hole are a bit of a pain and slow going.
From the top of the hole
Mark, while standing on top of falls, gets a shot of the narrow canyon we had just ascended.
After the first waterfall there is a second waterfall to ascend.
Spencer making his way up the second waterfall.
While Mark and Spencer ventured on to look for a hidden Indian Ruin I stayed behind with Chris who was really feeling the effects of the heat and the hike.
After thirty minutes of hanging out and seeing the clouds start to build a loud thunder clap brought immediate concern. We were in a slot canyon of sorts and any decent amount of rain would make the slick rock very difficult to navigate as well as being right in the path of a flash flood. Chris and I immediately began looking for a safe place to wait out the storm in case Spencer and Mark were not able to get back before the storm opened up. Luckily Spencer and Mark immediately turned around and high tailed it back down the canyon after hearing the same thunder. Just as they descended the second waterfall the storm opened up and began to rain.
We trudged, slipped, and slided our way 2.5 miles back to the trucks in record time being pummeled by rain the entire way. Of course as soon as we reached the vehicles the rain stopped. :rolleyes It was now 3:00pm and as we snacked on food, re-hydrated ourselves and discussed what was next for the day. We decided we would make our way back out to Hwy 288 and make a decision at that point- after all we still had more than a dozen washes to cross including three very large crossings which two had already had water in them. As we headed back down NF203 we were hit with a few storms but still made time to stop for a few pictures.
One of two snakes we stopped for
The storm that we left behind.
These guys had passed us and then caught back up to us. They were looking to visit the same area we had just left. I told them to look behind them towards the storm in the area and informed them they would be very stupid to continue on.
I guess this is one way to have tires for every terrain
After reaching Hwy 288 we headed North a little ways to Parker Canyon and couldn't help buy get a few shots of the trucks.
After the posing session we headed back to Globe and stopped in Miami for some Mexican food. After a good meal we dropped Mark at his truck in Superior and all went our separate ways. It was 9pm before I rolled into my neighborhood exhausted, muddy, but happy to have had a great day with some great guys.
"The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
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Comments
Awesome report, my friend. Sounds like quite an adventure and you got some excellent shots as always. That second shot reminds me a a lot of the Zion Subway. Wish I could have been there with you but it didn't work out. Question, was that rope up the water fall already there? Some day if you feel like going back, maybe I can join you then.
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Yeap pretty similar to Zion Subway but with less water. The rope was already there and is really only needed for descending the waterfall. There is also a rope to get up and down the right side of the first waterfall which is the harder one.
Mark and Spencer did not find the ruins so we will be going back when it gets a bit cooler. I however will not be packing as much as I did this time. Going to hike lighter from now on.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
I am in love with these shots:
What did you think of Articulate's Frontier??
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
His Frontier was nice. I still think yours is the best Frontier I have seen though.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Why thank ya!:D
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
I keep say that too.... but it never happens:D
cool trip !
Thanks for sharing the experience and shots.
http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
I am in love with jeep after looking at your photos!
My Gallery
Link to my Smugmug site
My hip is nearing 90% better, with some luck I will be 100% for October...
If your getting in shape compared to your already "Billygoat" status then I will need a jetpack just to keep up, even with my hip at 100%!!!
Maybe you can just carry my stuff..... That should even things out.
I can carry my gear and deal with a little pain. The biggest issue is carrying all of it with no positive result. Too many times I am at a place for the first time and bring everything just in case. Ends up being a lot of weight with no reward.
Going back to one body and lens or even a p&s on some of these scouting trips. I can always go back to a place like this after I figure out when to be there and what to bring. Smarter not harder my friend.
Like Nelson said- I don't need to hear about you getting in better shape. You already out do all of young(er) guys to begin with.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Thanks- the trucks were kind of a last minute thought but are the shots I think are the best.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Its For Sale Awais!
I want to get the truck.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Brad- I'll let you know next time we go out. Mark (articulate) and Spencer (safado) from Expo are great guys.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion