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| | Grand Canal -- Central to I-17, AZ | | | |
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Grand Canal -- Central to I-17, AZ
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| Hiking | 2.66 Miles |
31 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.66 Miles | 1 Hour 20 Mns | | 2.62 mph |
| 31 ft AEG | 19 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is a desolate segment that passes through increasingly blighted neighborhoods before the path terminates at a frontage road on the east side of Interstate 17. To pick up the canal again on the other side, a detour is required, S to Thomas Rd or N to Indian School.
Left Central Ave in mid-afternoon, heading W with large apartment compexes on both sides. Hoped to reach 51st Ave, but . . . .
After reaching 7th Ave at .52 mi out, the paved path ends and a dirt one begins. From this point, the world quickly becomes bleaker and more lonesome. And, I would guess, more unsafe.
In the remaining 2.12 mi, I came across only two bikers and a hiker. Not to mention three squatters between 19th and 23rd Aves. The trio was stationed on cardboard "seats" and smoking and talking quietly, paying me little attention. A curious large dog, a Rottweiler mix I assumed, stared at me but thankfully did not move.
It appears the canal's owner, SRP, does not care much to dress up the landscape like it does around Central Ave, which receives a lot more traffic in a white-collar area. By 19th Ave, the canal carries much more trash and its dirt banks are crumbling in places.
On the good side, I found, as I had in the eastern segments, mallards dominated bird world. I counted 8 drakes and hens along this stretch. As for fish, I spotted several large carp swimming near the surface but in only two or three places.
I've now covered about half of the Grand's total distance, and this segment, particularly from 15th Ave on, is the eyesore of the canal. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
