0.9 mi to summit
4.2 mi total
1,993 ft start
2,899 ft max
1,394 ft gain
50 min to summit
3 hr 47 min total
We drove out to Hiko Springs and parked right off the side of the road. From there we went up a ridge, found a geocache, proceeded to Hiko Point, and then went pretty much all the way back down. Then we went up Center Benchmark, after pulling jumping/teddybear cholla out of my pants and out of Erica's shoes. Today was the hike of "desert acupuncture," aka getting stuck with cactus spines. From Center Benchmark, we traversed over to Conical Point. In all cases, we were assaulted by fairly impressive sustained winds and nasty gusts. On the way back, we detoured to find the Hiko Spring petroglyphs. We also found a baby desert tortoise (who sadly was very frightened of us), a hare, and the desert-sun-bleached skull of a bighorn sheep. A nice hike except for the wind. Yeesh.
None
looproutefinding, bushwhacking
skis, GPS device