Hunting for Shortcuts

Snowstorm, San Francisco Peaks, Coconino National Forest, February 2012

I spent the morning looking for shortcuts into the wilderness, trying to find a route up into the steeps of crazy-ass ol' Doyle Peak that didn't involve a five mile approach hike. I found one, but boy, it's a doozy. Like most really good shortcuts it has all the makings of trouble: A mile of bushwhacking through burned forest, trespassing on private land, several boulder and log-filled erosion channels deep enough to swallow a house, and a steep climb up a couple of severely damaged roads that haven't seen a truck in half a century or more.

The reward for running this punishing gauntlet was a half frozen bean and cheese burrito rummaged out of my pack, high wind, and the cold sting of blowing snow. Yes, it was a good shortcut. The best.

Comments

[Maximilian Zarnegar]

I was planning on tackling the inner basin this weekend, and have a few questions about your doyle assault. Could you perhaps shed a little more light on the route of this shortcut? I would prefer to avoid that avalanche path that runs through the weather ford if possible. I don't have facebook anymore, and would appreciate it if you could email me or respond by comment.

Much Thanks,
Max

[del]

Hey, Max.

Yeah, I'd avoid that avalanche path for a while, too. There was a funky layer of faceted sugar underlying the inner basin snowpack last weekend. With Monday's SW winds and foot+ of new snow that layer's probably nicely wind loaded now. It shouldn't be dangerous in the low angle terrain, but I dunno about the steeper stuff.

As for the shortcut route, well... if I spell it out all the mystery of exploring the mountain will be gone, which would be a disservice to you. However, I will say that sometimes the routes the summer trails take are not the safest or best ones in winter. That and Google Earth's ruler tool can be your best friend when planning outings into the back country. ;-)

[Max]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check out that Google Earth ruler tool!