Pilot Knob California

15 February 2015                      Another nice little walk gone all to hell

The notch in the middle is our goal. It is a steep rocky path

OK maybe not “all to hell”. But after 4½ hours divided into climbing and circling Pilot Knob all the fresh dewiness was baked out of us by the desert sun (in the low 80’s by 2 pm). 

Pilot Knob is a little piece of the Cargo Muchacho Mountain range a few miles west of Yuma. Rises up from the desert plain about 600’ but we decided to climb the western notch (only about 400’) and then circumnavigate The Knob.

Looking northwest from The Notch.

That's Mexican garbage burning just south of the border fence (thin brown line).

This is the path up and down. Fortunately the folks we met on the top had already tossed the rattlesnake they found on the path off to the side.

Famous local explorer. Not a snake lover.

The range from the south.

The usual – just follow the trails that eventually disappear then make your own. Figured we moved at about 2 miles an hour since a lot was up and down through the usual washes.

 

This will not stay flat - a down and up are on the way (many many times)

 

 

Nothing really steep. You will not go far south (Mexico) or east (All American Canal).

Lunch. Standing. Hot. Canal is well guarded by thorny things.

All we have to do is get up this hill after lunch and we'll be homeward bound (idiots).

Once you reach the Canal you are past the logical point of no return and might as well continue on to complete the circle. Better than accepting the defeat of retracing your steps. I’m not saying we had any false trail starts, just that we got to enjoy a few places more than once. Not all are treasured memories.

Naturally we got along smoothly – no reason for heat, pain or tiredness to cause friction –we’re too mature for that.

Plucky hiker with Quechan Casino behind him. All American Canal heading northeast.

View of north side. Homeward bound.

Just a few more up and downs. And false starts.

After climbing back out of the last of the many washes we could see Smiley far in the distance and wondered to ourselves why we parked it so damn far away.

Last trail up to the flat plain.

Another shot of The Notch on the way to our car.

Summary of this one? If you are feeling a little too perky and need a bit of punishment do the walk around The Knob (we figure we hiked between 8 and 9 miles).  Your reward will be an end to the punishment when you finish unlike many hikes where you get to see incredible natural sights and fabulous flora. And you get to brag you did it.

Did somebody snicker?