| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 8.00 Miles |
1,846 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.00 Miles | 4 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.00 mph |
| 1,846 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | 4 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Great hike, albeit a little warm by the time we were finished (right at 100 degrees). We set out from the parking lot and trekked up Spur Cross past Tortuga Trail intersection and then up the Elephant Mountain Trail. Note: following the heavy rain in the mountains last weekend, the trail is pretty rough compared to normal conditions, i.e. lots of exposed rock going up and down. In spots, the man made steps are in place, but much of the surrounding dirt is gone making it more tricky to hike.
On the way up Elephant Mountain Trail, we stopped for a brief rest in a small bosque of mesquite trees and found an old water pump (see picture) - anyone know if it still works? We then finished the hike up to the summit and found the easy route up to the old indian fortress, which was pretty cool. Can't imagine a hostile tribe wanting to charge up the side of that hill with the local tribesman (offshoot of the HoHoKam?) manning the fortress - many of the walls still in place 800 years later (see picture again). On the way down the southside of the mountain we took the Spur Cross trail back until we reached the Dragonfly trail which took us to the Jewel of the Preserve area and then back to the parking lot. 15 minutes later - Circle K and Gatorade looked pretty good. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
