DWTH Day 24: Harquahala Peak
Daily Miles: 9.9, Total Miles: 357.3
I should have known better but the breeze last night on the ridge turned into whipping, gusty winds battering my tent all night, eventually collapsing it about 3am. I had even put large rocks over the tent stakes but I guess not large enough. Getting ready to go this morning was quite the challenging feat with limited mobility in a collapsed tent. After a thorough search, I found all but one tent stake.
With the road/trail conditions improving with elevation, I continued to the summit of Harquahala Peak at nearly 5,700’, the highest peak in southwestern Arizona. The summit hosts a Smithsonian built astrophysical observatory with the purpose of measuring solar activity. Built in 1920, it is now abandoned.
I had the whole place to myself and took a short rest/snack break. The 360-degree views were incredible – I could easily see all the way back to Table Top.
The pack trail down, descending 3,000’ in about five miles, was surprisingly good, only overgrown in a few spots. The well-placed switchbacks were much appreciated, quite a feat in the jumble of huge boulders and exposed, steep rock faces. The thought did cross my mind that I was probably being observed by a mountain lion at some point.
Down to one more swig of water by the time I reached Highway 60. I had made a SALOME sign but this was not an ideal place for hitching in the middle of nowhere. Vehicles were going so fast they probably could not even read the sign. Thirsty, sore feet and getting a bit demoralized after an hour of standing there, a truck suddenly squealed to a stop. A gentleman passing through handed me a cold bottle of water and took me the 15 miles into Salome. Thanks James!
I had booked a few nights at Westward Inn and I’m so glad I did. Old but recently remodeled, quiet and very clean with a shared kitchen, it really fits the bill. Only four rooms and a few outlying rentals, I think the nice owners, Christie and Scott, stay busy.
I picked up my resupply box, got cleaned up and headed to the Salome Restaurant and adjoining Don’s Cactus Bar for a huge burger and IPA. After 7 days, that was nice! Looks to be a popular(maybe only?) hangout for locals which is a good sign.
Lights out early tonight in a comfortable bed!
Most popular bird in Salome: Great-tailed Grackle.