31 July 2002
Today, being an evening hike I thought I'd go as far as the saddle and come back another day with more hours to do the whole trail. What the heck, I figured I'd only go up high enough to get some views. And I did get to take some photos from the View Point. I got to the Saddle at 6PM and felt confident that I could get to the top and back to the car even if I had to walk in the dark. So I carried on and made it to the Vista Point just as the sun began setting (cloudy day). I hustled my way down the mountain and got to the saddle at dark.
The last 2 miles was through trees but my night vision is good and the trail was easy to pick up - it being a gentle slope along a creek bed to the lake. I ran into trouble when I got to the main wash (road on one side and trail on other). Picked out a trail sign that I sure was the one that indicated I should go across the wash and up to the parking lot. Only it wasn't. I made a couple attempts to find a way through, gave up a couple times and went back to the trail. It was now almost totally dark but I wasn't worried as I was within 100 meters of the road. Just needed to stay on the trail and I would eventually get out. As I went very slowly along the trail in the dark I noticed several benches (there was only one bench on the way in). Then I saw water in the "wash" - it was the lake. I had left the trail before too early and that had been on the wrong side of the lake. That really helped because I had been confused as to why I couldn't get out before. Looking at the map now I see that there are two "trailheads" leading to 261. And in the dark, I had gone on the one that skirts the lake. Now I knew that it was just a matter of time until I would get to the trailhead (and out). But almost immediately there was a trail to the left with picnic tables etc... And I took it knowing it would get me to the road and from there it was a short walk to the parking lot.
I got into the car at 8:59PM. The gate closes at 9PM. I reckoned that when the ranger closed the gate and drove past the lot he'd see the car and I was definitely within shouting distance at the time. I can see how confused a person would get in the "wild' in the dark. Luckily, I had a good understanding of the trail system, but when you can't really see more than a couple feet ahead it can be very worrisome. And yes I did think about bring a flashlight, but then didn't bring it. And yes, I had left a map with Joyce and circled out the trail that I would be on should she need to send help.
along Trail 261...
...on the...
...way to...
The Saddle
then up
Little G.Mt
Little G.Mt
Round-Tail Horned Lizard
From
View
Point
same from...
...different angle
Next Stop - Up
Granite Basin Lake
Prescott from...
...Vista Point
Thumb Butte
West at sunset
Trail at 8:30PM
What Trail?
July 31Albums