ALL HIKERS

DAY 7: BOUCHER CREEK TO NEAR DRIPPING SPRINGS TRAIL

     Surprisingly, there was only a little frog croaking last night, but no snoring in my current campsite location.  As planned, Keith and I are up early and leave camp just before 7:00 in order to avoid the heat.  When we get to the Boucher Trail junction, we say goodbye to each other as he is hiking out while I am camping near the Dripping Springs Trail junction tonight.  Ahh, the Boucher Trail.  I can't recall when I've looked forward to something as much fun as this climb facing me.  I do seem to be making pretty good time, though.  As I reach the base of the final slot leading up to Whites Butte, I can see Keith doing the last few switchbacks just before the top.  I whistle at him, but he doesn't hear me.

Looking east to Topaz Canyon
3-26-2008 @ 7:23
Looking east to Topaz Canyon
3-26-2008 @ 7:42
Approaching top slot of Boucher Trail
3-26-2008 @ 7:53

     I reach Whites Butte just before 9:00.  I calculate that I have climbed about 1,700 vertical feet this morning since leaving Boucher Creek.  The views are awesome.

Whites Butte
3-26-2008 @ 8:48
Looking down toward Boucher Creek
3-26-2008 @ 8:58

     I leave Whites Butte around 9:00 and start the traverse around to the backside of Travertine Canyon.  I know from my prior hike up the Boucher Trail that the trail then heads uphill for another 1,000 feet or so.

Century plants
3-26-2008 @ 9:11
Looking up Travertine Canyon
3-26-2008 @ 9:26
A lone pine tree on the trail
3-26-2008 @ 9:34

     It's interesting to note the different views and angles you have of Whites Butte as you make your way around and up Travertine Canyon toward Yuma Point.

Whites Butte
3-26-2008 @ 10:02
Whites Butte
3-26-2008 @ 10:59
Whites Butte
3-26-2008 @ 11:41

     I eventually reach the place where some hand-to-toe climbing is required.  I'm going to take a small break here and eat some snacks before making the final climb.  After my break, I go up the section with ease.  I recall it being much harder than this my first time by here a few years ago.

The place with hand-to-toe climbing
3-26-2008 @ 11:18
The place with hand-to-toe climbing
3-26-2008 @ 11:19

     I pull into Yuma Point around noon.  I think I will take a half-hour nap, then eat, take some pictures, and try to get away by 1:00.  The views from here are to die for.  They are simply some of the best in the Canyon.

Click either
picture for
a five-picture
panorama
photo-gallery
taken from
Yuma Point
Panorama shots from Yuma Point
3-26-2008 @ 12:45
  Panorama shots from Yuma Point
3-26-2008 @ 12:46

     I leave Yuma Point just before 1:00.  The walking is very easy the first mile or so, but then the drainages start.  I never cease to be amazed at the variety of plants and flowers I find on my Canyon hikes.

Agave Plant
3-26-2008 @ 12:59
Desert Phlox
3-26-2008 @ 2:27
Indian Paintbrush
3-26-2008 @ 2:37

     In a little while, I reach a place with an excellent view of the Cathedral Stairs and Cope Butte on the Hermit Trail across the Hermit Gorge.  I then find a quart of water with a note on the trail that Keith has left me.  After about an hour and a half, I reach one area of the trail that makes some people uncomfortable.  It slopes inward toward the drop-off into the Canyon and must be crossed with care.  That section would not be any fun if it were wet.  Like the prior section requiring hand-to-toe climbing, I didn't find this part of the trail as intimidating as my first time by here.  There are more great views looking to the southeast toward the Hermit-Waldron Basin.

Cope Butte
3-26-2008 @ 1:05
A slanted section of the trail
3-26-2009 @ 2:42
Hermit-Waldron Basin
3-26-2008 @ 2:57

     I finally get past all the drainages around 3:00 and start looking for a campsite.  I could probably go ahead and hike out, but I would be pooped.  Anyway, it most likely would be dark then and I have forgotten when the last shuttle runs out to Hermits Rest.  Since my permit and my plan called for a camp here, I'm going to take it easy and enjoy the last full day of my hike by spending the night here.  I pass two nice campsites, but move on just a little closer to the Dripping Springs Trail.  Fortunately, I checked out this area on my prior hike by here and on a Dripping Springs-Waldron day hike I did a couple of years ago, so I know there are still some good sites just up ahead.  I find a great spot and set up my tent.

   
  My campsite the 7th night
3-26-2008 @ 4:41
 

     As I am resting in my tent, a couple coming up the Boucher Trail stops to talk a while.  Since they are only carrying daypacks, I ask if they came up from Boucher Creek.  They say they went down the Hermit Trail this morning, across the Tonto to Boucher Creek, are just now coming up the Boucher Trail, and finally are going back to Hermits Rest in a few minutes.  Wow, there's nothing quite like a twenty-two mile day hike to get the juices flowing.  Tomorrow will be a leisurely day with only about three miles to go.  Since I am in no rush tomorrow, I'm going to sleep in late tonight.

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