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| Hiking | 9.98 Miles |
1,550 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.98 Miles | 4 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.35 mph |
| 1,550 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I planned to do this hike in November, but a couple of miles up Peralta Road, I got a really bad flat. I barely made it back to pavement before my left front was on the rim.
Today, I finally made my return trip.
Peralta Road is in great shape, much better than the last time I hiked out of Peralta Trailhead, when I hiked to Fremont Saddle on my honeymoon in January, 2009. 
There are good shade & sitting rocks throughout Miners Needle Loop, regardless of time of day, due to the canyons and many awesome rock formations. 
I took a break at Miners Needle Summit pass. I had seen someone coming up behind me, so I figured I’d wait for him to pass. I heard The Youngbloods singing “Get Together” before I saw him. Yes, it was Loud Stereo Guy. 
At least it was a decent song, not Miley Cyrus.
North of Miners Summit, down to Crystal Spring, then west up Bluff Spring Canyon, was my favorite part of the hike. More like grassland than desert, even with trees where there was no water source. And, of course, with lots of awesome rock formations. 
There was pooling water where Bluff Spring Trail #235 intersects with Terrapin Trail #234. Probably from the rain two nights ago. In many places throughout the loop, I saw muddy footprints. (Some critters, mostly human.)
Other than exercise, my main goal was to find the “Peralta Boulder” in Barks Canyon. I knew the location — an area of slick rock, near the intersection of a small side canyon — but could not find it despite 30 minutes of searching.  At least it was great area to take a break, again with excellent sitting rocks and shade, despite the mid-day sun. 
I finished off the day with my favorite post-hike meal: a large fries, with three packets of salt, and Filet-O-Fish at the Gold Canyon Mickey Ds. 
Hike Video: [ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation None
Nada. Not even brittlebush, which I have seen start to bloom elsewhere in Phoenix. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
At least it was great area to take a break, again with excellent sitting rocks and shade, despite the mid-day sun. 
