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| Hiking | 8.71 Miles |
300 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.71 Miles | 2 Hrs 7 Mns | | 4.11 mph |
| 300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Over the years I've been on the Bajada numerous times, but this evolved into a nice, unexpected loop. Plan was to do a simple in and out on the Bajada. Got on the Ranger TH around 7:30. With the winter season I was in the mountain shadows for almost the entire run to where the Bajada meets the National Trail. As I was approaching the end of the Bajada, just prior to the wash and the National Trail, I became aware of an old trail that split off from the Bajada and looked to climbed the mountains to the east. Like I said, I've done this trail numerous time before and never consciously recognized this track. Initially, I was going to keep my run going and just do a brief exploration of this off chute. But, as is often the case, once I started exploring this new path I felt compelled to see where it lead. I ended up following this "ancient" trail all the way up to where it connected to the National along the ridgeline. Along the way, I came upon an open pit, smaller, but similar to what you see along the ridges of the National. I'm guessing this trail hasn't been a trail in 20-30 years. It's start is much more obvious from the Bajada end than the National. That being said, once you get on it, from either direction, the trail is easy to follow. When I got on the National, I started jogging again and took the National back to the Ranger. This unnamed trail is a little under 2.5 miles from the Ranger. I then took the Ranger back to the car. Great day for a hike/run, though a little chilly in the shadows. Saw some coyotes as I was entering the park, but otherwise no wildlife. Encountered 2 backpackers on the Bajada (getting ready for the Canyon), 6 on the National and 4 on the Ranger. Took a few pictures. Could see the "ongoing creep" of the 202 off to the south. No signs of the 202 "gracing" South Mountain.....yet  |
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