We made it!

In the meeting notice for 202 and Power, Bill failed to mention “north” Power. A slight delay as we waited for Mohammed, who sped from the coffee shop on “south” Power.

Wheels were rolling at 7:30. Boots were moving at 8:30. It was crisp, the wind has died down, and the skies were clear.

We started down Cottonwood Wash. Arriving at “RH” we took the group picture. At “C8” we entered Cane Spring Canyon. Bill had pre-hiked to point “Z”. Hidden Water Spring provided the music of gentle flowing water. The sun was a little low in the sky, to catch the full radiance of the cattails. As the exploratory adventure took us to “C7”, Debbie and Mohammed began their rock collecting in earnest.

Although Bill and Gary had hiked from “C7” to “C5” (trip report: Seucito Canyon, January 2015) it all seemed new again. Shortly after “C5” we broke for lunch.

Notorious for his short lunch breaks, the hike leader badgered the group to resume moving. We navigated our way over and around the large boulders as we headed toward our out point “C1”. Huge, steep, rock walls bordered us on the exit side of the canyon. Uncertainty. If we could not get through, would we have enough time to make it back to “C7”, a known exit route?

Shortly after “C1” the rock-hopping ended and the cholla dodging began. All we had to do was to go up three ridges and down two, and get to a road at “R1” before dark. Bill urged the group on as he incorrectly thought sunset was 4:30.

It was nice to be wrong. At 5:45 the last group made it to the cars, with enough light to find the car keys. We drove out in the dark. Seven of us enjoyed great service and food at Red White and Brew before returning home.

10.63 miles, +-2120' feet, and Debbie was the rock carrying champ.