Distance: 7.2 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 2200'
Prominence: 590'
Elevation Gain: 2102'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.7
Round trip time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Recommended water: 48 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Bogert Trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate
Murray Hill was not our planned hike. Our intent was to hike in the canyons of the Agua Caliante reservation, an area with an entrance fee. We discovered in the car that the canyons were closed for a week, not sure why. Murray was our backup option and we drove to the Bogert Trailhead. Other trails also lead to Murray Hill with a similar experience. We were one of three cars at the trailhead, but first on the trail. Blooms and pollen were out in force, fruit from the protracted rain. The first two miles had some ups and downs, climbing to unnamed peak 1770. A couple was resting there before continuing. It leveled out for the next mile, then made the final push on the Clara Burgess trail. We met a few mountain bikers along the way, and a large group was lunching at one of two picnic tables on the summit. The true summit was a pile of class 1 boulders with no marks and no register. Most people didn't seem interested in the actual high point, content to lounge at a table or rock on the flat part of the summit. Even with other people nearby, I dedided to get some quick aerial shots and no one seemed to mind, or at least no one said anything. On the way back, we ran into two desert iguanas either fighting or doing a mating dance. When we saw that one had a broken leg from the other biting it, we agreed it was a fight. "Boys will be boys" is one of Leisa's most reviled phrases, but apropos. Murray Hill won't wow anyone, but we worked up a lather, and that will do.
I demand words, damnit!
ReplyDeleteMadison,
DeleteAn oversight on my part. I put the damn words in :)
That's better. LOL
Delete