getting a later start on sundays due to work and weather lately, so decided to stay in the valley again
hiked alta trail over and back
think i've beat south mountain to death this week, but every hike has been different with a variety of terrain, footing and views, and it's close
usually pick a less traveled path, and today was no exception
it's a little cooler than i prefer, but still comfortable
encountered less than a dozen people
san juan road is open the first weekend of the month, by the way
headed up from the east trailhead, climbing a nice set of switchbacks in the first mile and a half, then the trail goes to the north side of the mountain
didn't hit maricopa peak this time, as i wanted a good clean gps track
from a point just below and to the west of the peak, alta trail descends on a steep, rocky path to san juan trailhead
came back the same way
i think a nice hike would be to go to maricopa peak from the eastern trailhead
should be just over six miles there and back for an interesting destination hike