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| Cholla Mountain via Browns Ranch - MSP, AZ | |
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| | Cholla Mountain via Browns Ranch - MSP, AZ | | | |
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Cholla Mountain via Browns Ranch - MSP, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.78 Miles |
1,647 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.78 Miles | 5 Hrs 44 Mns | | 2.34 mph |
| 1,647 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 50 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The main ‘hike goal’ was to climb atop Cholla Mountain.
Cholla Mountain is located in the northern section of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
My route to Cholla Mountain started at the TH for Brown’s Ranch Road Trail.
I revisited the Brown’s Ranch grounds, and checked on GRAN Azimuth Mark (It’s on the ranch grounds and was set there in 1946 while the ranch was still active). I then explored a couple little ridgelines just north of the ranch. Both ridgelines had the remnants of white and red blaze-type markings, that were possibly placed there for some sort of aerial survey work. I found no actual survey disks on the ridgelines, however.
The last ridgeline dropped me off just west of Cholla Mountain.
I hiked up a westside drainage, strewn with VW-size boulders, to access a saddle, then went up (north) to the high-point of the mountain. From the desert floor, Cholla Mountain appears to be one huge pile of boulders. However that’s untrue, as there are many open and flat areas on top.
After taking in the scenic views, taking many photos, and climbing a few of the boulders, I hiked back to the saddle and down the east side to the desert floor. The east side would be my future choice for up and down this mountain. (Fewer boulders). 
All in all - a fun hike. |
| _____________________
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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