Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Hiking Peralta Canyon Trail

 I was just starting to move around when the phone rang this morning at 8 o'clock.  It was a young lady from my agent's office.  We had a nice discussion and she explained to me that I had done correctly and filed a claim and I only needed the one claim.  She sent me a link to the claim, so I could update it with the information about what happened and upload the receipts I had for their evaluation and payment.

My brother, Richard's son owns 80 acres of land on Merritt Island, Florida and they have been clearing it slowly over the last few years.  Their entrance road developed a new bump.

One big alligator!

It is cloudy out this morning, but a nice warm 56 already.  I wanted to go back to the Peralta Trail and hike it today, but with the clouds, I'm not so sure.  I was planning to go online and update my claim after my coffees and breakfast, but the sun made an appearance.

I decided to put the claim stuff off and  do it later after my hike, so off we headed at 11 o'clock for our day of hiking.  As I headed up the road from Kay's house, there were turkey vultures in the road eating a dead squirrel and when I approached, several flew up to a neighbor's fence.

Turkey Vultures
By the time we got to the Peralta trailhead, it was 1 o'clock and I figured we had plenty of time to get up and down from our hike before sundown, easily.  The online description of the Peralta Trail is 5 miles total.  The goal of the hike up Peralta Canyon is to reach Fremont Ridge overlook where we would get a clear close-up view of Weavers Needle.

Five miles on flat land is hard for me, but five miles of up, down, windy, rocky trail turned out to be almost more than I could handle.  I am going to break this hike into two days because I don't plan to do much tomorrow and let my feet and legs get well.

Yuma leading the way into the canyon.  Trail starts out rather flat and smooth.

Beautiful canyon walls.

Look what red eyes you have.  Not sure the name of the bird.


Looking up the canyon.

Looking back down the canyon.

Beautiful little waterfall from the recent rains.


Yuma leading the way, as usual.



Stand-off.

Canyon walls.  Lots of pinnacles.


Yuma checked out everything.  He just loves running and walking on trails.

As I got close to the ridge, my feet were fading fast.  I kept stumbling, but luckily, I caught myself each time and didn't hurt anything but my pride.  A family of three were slowly making their way the final leg and we hooked up.  The young man, Marcus, took a real liking to Yuma.  He is at the perfect age where this hike is all adventure. 
Marcus leading the way.

I think I would have fallen if it weren't for my stick and that boulder.


Another of the pools from the recent rain.

Rina hiking ahead.  Mother of Marcus.

Balancing boulder.

Marcus and Yuma checking out a small cave.

Jim, the leader of our group, with Rina and Yuma.

Jim is very knowledgeable of the Superstition Mountains.  Over 20 years of backpacking on all the trails, there isn't much he doesn't know, except for where the Lost Dutchman's gold is hidden.😄
Belmont Ridge is just beyond that boulder with the hole in it.

Marcus at the ridge overlooking the canyon below.

Made it to the top.  Weavers Needle on the left and the Lone Pine on my right.

So many pinnacles on the canyon wall to the west.

Weavers Needle

Being an experienced hiker, Jim brought lunch.  He and Rina had a perfect spot overlooking Weavers Needle and the valley below for their lunch table.  They shared their rations with me and Jim even had some Tylenol.  I probably would not have made it back down the mountain without those little white pills.

Yuma is hoping for a snack.

Looking down the Peralta Canyon.

Lone Pine
We will continue tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.

14 comments:

  1. What wonderful pictures of your hike into Peralta Canyon! It was good to be with someone who knew the area. As always Yuma had a great time racing around. If your legs had given out, you could have sent Yuma for help.

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    1. Thanks Dolly. It was fortunate I ran into Jim and the family. I think he knew I was not doing well and wanted to keep an eye on me. Yuma would probably not leave me and we would just go together. 😂

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  2. Wonderful views. I’m happy you hooked up with someone on the hike. You looked very well prepared with water and your stick. Looking forward to more pics tomorrow.

    Deb

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    1. Thanks, Deb. It was just beautiful to me. I could not stop taking pictures. Not quite prepared enough for the length of this hike. I honestly had thoughts I might not make it. I lost my balance so many times and fell down. Especially on the trip up.

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  3. Nice view and a fun hike. Next time take some food with you and eat a little along the way. You'll be surprised at how much more energy you will have.

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    1. I agree. I had planned on hiking a shorter trail, but ended up on this longer one. Wasn't prepared for the change.

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  4. Wow! What an awesome hike in a beautiful area! Tough on the Ole foot but that Tylenol was your savior!😁

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    1. Thanks, Steve. You would have loved the exercise. Hopefully, one day you will be looking at Weavers Needle.

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  5. What an awesome hike, Doug! I think you might be bs'ing us about your age! Haha, I'm impressed.
    Beatifiul shots and nice you hooked up with some younger folks for the food and Tylenol, and company.
    I think Dolly should frame that pix of you and Yuma with the Weaver Needle behind you. It's a great picture.

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    1. Thanks, Patsy. No BS! I am feeling every step today

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  6. That does look like a long hike up the hill! Nice to have company. Looking forward to the hike back down tomorrow

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    1. Beautiful scenery. Not a hill! A mountain. 😊

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  7. What a beautiful area. Marcus looking over the valley reminded me of your grandson. Now you know....lunch and Tylenol!

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    1. It was nice to run into the family. Marcus was just a great boy. At least I had water. No more hiking without some energy bars and Tylenol for me. I keep forgetting, things don't always go as planned. Be prepared for the unexpected.

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