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The Window via Ventana
37 Photosets

2011-06-01  
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2011-02-24  
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1,  2 
mini location map2011-02-24
14 by photographer avatarbikeandhike
photographer avatar
 
The Window via VentanaTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking12.80 Miles 4,000 AEG
Hiking12.80 Miles   10 Hrs      1.28 mph
4,000 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I decided to bike to the trailhead (about 10 miles and 600' of gain), and I left sometime between 5 and 6. I reached the trailhead a bit before 7, and I started the hike right around 7. The weather during the segment up to the Maiden Pools was cold and cloudy. There was a good bit of water in the pools (noticeably more than there was a week ago). I stopped here for breakfast, and then I went into turbo mode. I encountered a little snow behind the rocks containing The Window.

I reached The Window around 10:30. Since I got there so quickly (by my standards), I decided to spend a while messing around on Esperero Trail. I relaxed for a while at The Window, and then I headed over to Window Peak. There was just a bit of snow along the way. I encountered a ton of ladybugs just before the final tree-assisted climb to the top (which was easy despite looking scary before I got started). I hauled myself up to the summit and spent a while watching clouds and ravens fly by. The view up there is great! After I got back down to the saddle, I decided to hike to the top of the peak on the other side. I'm glad I did, because the view from the top of the rocks near the summit is pretty darn good.

After going back down to the saddle, I took my time working my way back down. I found a great stick (after breaking several) that greatly helped my no-so-great knees handle the descent. I finished around 5. During my entire hike, I only encountered 3 other parties (all in the lower sections of the trail). The bike ride back was a breeze because it was almost entirely downhill. It was a great trip, and I'm so happy that weather/scheduling allowed me to finally make it all the way up to The Window and Window Peak.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Saguaro
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
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