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| Hiking | 6.20 Miles |
1,288 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.20 Miles | 4 Hrs 6 Mns | | 2.11 mph |
| 1,288 ft AEG | 1 Hour 10 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | | A messy figure-8 covering the hilltops on the Arrowhead and Cholla trails. It was a first for me, though I've hiked in these hills many a time. In addition to the American flag on Arrowhead Pk, someone erected another on slightly smaller Cholla Pk in the last year. It is a sorry specimen, faded and the lead edge badly frayed. A few good winds and it will be in tatters. It was late when I got to the summit of Cholla. Near the flag, two small palos were decorated with Christmas ornaments as was one atop Arrowhead. Stayed too late on Cholla. It was 5:28 when I started down, already six minutes past sunset. The smart thing would've been to retreat down the shorter east side. But I was so determined to complete the "8" that I took the long west-side route and stumbled along the rocky trail in darkness. For some reason I hadn't pack my head lamp. Eventually I picked up a little light on the trail from nearby houses and then later the First Qtr moon appeared from around the hill, and I could see my shadow. I was wrong in thinking the speeding cars along the connector road between Pinnacle Peak and 59th Ave would help. Their lights blasted right into my face, and I had to pull my cap down low to find the trail. Crossed the pedestrian bridge and headed east toward the Pinnacle Pk parking lot to finish off the "8." Only 25 yards from safetly in the flatlands, I stepped down off a boulder onto a small angled outcropping and twisted my ankle, a mild sprain. Figured I deserved it for not carrying a light. Otherwise it was a nice hike at the end of a beautiful afternoon. Glad I packed a jacket, though. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
