Mineral Creek - Gila National Forest - August 20, 2002 - Member Trip Report
| Hike Name: | Mineral Creek - Gila National Forest |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | New Mexico |
| Trip Rating: |  |
| Trip Date: | August 20, 2002 |
| Duration: | 3 days |
| Trail Conditions: | Excellent |
| Trail Traffic: | None |
| Trip Weather: | Partly Sunny, Partly Cloudy |
| Trip Winds: | None |
| Trip Precipitation: | Showers |
| Trip Temperature: | High: 61-70, Low: 31-40 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Trip Report: | Day 1: Got out of the car at the right time, which is unusual for us. John and Mike got into their typical macho competition and headed off up the trail way too fast. I decided to catch up later, and made a slower trip looking for mine relics and Indian ruins. The water was crystal clear, and stream crossings were a simple affair, but clouds were building up, and I figured the river would be a mess the next day. Caught up to John and Mike around 2:00, when they stopped for lunch and a nap. Figuring turnabaout is fair play, I left a note on John's backpack and went on up the trail. Ran into a Mojave Rattlesnake a few hundred yards later. Pulled my fishing pole off the pack and jabbed at him until he moved out of the way. The dude had a bad temper! Finally made camp in the meadow where the old Mogollon sawmill used to be, and was making dinner when the other two straggled in. They both complained about me trying to kill them, and I replied that they shold be less concerned with their little games and more concerned with making distance. Duly chastened, the set their camp and we sat down to dinner. I had a few cups of coffee and Bailey's, but John and Mike decided only whiskey would do, and when I went to bed, they were debating whether or not to shoot the campfire. Never did hear any shots, so I guess they decided not to. Day 2: Got up at 7:00 and started breakfast. Mike and John were moaning, so I assumed they were done for the trip. I grabbed my daypack and headed upstream. Lots of wildlife out, including a Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake, which is a spectacular red. Checked out a couple of mineshafts, but when I came out of the second one, I noticed the sky had gotten dark. As I headed back to camp, the rain started for real, and I got back just in time to avoid getting really wet. The drunks were stilll crashed, so I sat under my plastic sheet and watched the creek rise by the minute. The water was really muddy, and I was thinking about how much more time it owuld take to get back, not being able to see the bottom for crossings. Mike finally rose around 3:00 just as the rain was letting off. He immediately woke John up, and rather than deal with two hung-over guys I went and did a little climbing, trying to get a better shot of the valley. Came back to camp around 5:00, and made dinner. Mike and John went back to drinking and were passed out at 8:30. I had a few more cups of coffee and went to sleep a little after 10:00 Day 3: We had to be home at a reasonable hour, so I rousted the Booze Brothers at 8:00. After listening to them whine for an hour, I was ready to drown them in the creek. We finally got on the trail a little after 10:30, and made a slow and very wet trip back to the car. I stayed dry, because I was sober, but the other two made three trips into the water between them. We got back to the car in the late afternoon, and the guys immediately went to sleep while I drove home. Nice trip, but I should have just made it alone! |
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