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| Lost Mine-National-Pyramid Loop, AZ | | -
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| | Lost Mine-National-Pyramid Loop, AZ | | | |
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Lost Mine-National-Pyramid Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 8.33 Miles |
1,982 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.33 Miles | 4 Hrs 45 Mns | | 3.01 mph |
| 1,982 ft AEG | 1 Hour 59 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Time constraints restricted me to a morning hike, so I did this S Mountain loop.
I started off before official sunrise, and did the loop clockwise, and added three little off trail benchmark searches, to spice it up a bit.
First off, this was a very fun hike. All the trails were unique and all had great views.
The only knowledge I had on the three benchmarks was a “BM” symbol on TOPOs. My experience tells me the actual locations of these ‘TOPO’ only benchmarks could be way off, but it’s still fun to take a look.
My first off-trail search was near the trailhead, off the Pyramid Tr. This search was a bust. I found nothing to even remotely tell me there ever was a benchmark in this area. There probably is (was), but I found nothing.
Hiking up the Lost Mine Trail started to bring in some local views of mines and building ruins. It’s a very basic, steep, narrow trail, and possibly not even maintained much. It was on Lost Mine Tr that my next off trail search occurred. I uncovered a couple little cairns, and found nothing - Not even a carved cross that would designate a survey mark.
I did find a flare however. It’s the kind I find around benchmarks, and are probably used to light up the Height of Light. So, I convinced myself I found a benchmark “location”.
The National and Pyramid trails are amazingly groomed, with nonstop things to see far and near. You can really pick up speed on these trails.
Off the Pyramid Trail was my last search area. I went down a little ridge about a quarter mile (and 300 feet lower), and found wood, wire and the actual location of a benchmark. The disk was gone, but a circle of cement was still slathered on a boulder.
All in all, this was a great hike, and the hikers living in Ahwatukee already know they have many great hiking trails right at their doorstep.
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Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN |
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Route Editor
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