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| Hiking | 11.70 Miles |
2,557 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.70 Miles | 7 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.56 mph |
| 2,557 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Stiller put together a great memorial day hike composed of trails I've never hiked. In this historical year of the famous 2008 Heat n Freeze the week started with 110 degrees and dropped into the sixties days later. It wouldn't be wise to attempt this loop in normal May temps.
We headed up the Oak Flat Trail #123 at 7:30am? The trail is unobstructed and in great condition all the way. It was all up and gradually got steeper as you went. Turns out it's only a 22.7% grade compared to Piestewa's 21% or Camelbacks 23%. I think the fact you're on the side of a huge mountain and lack of switchbacks makes it seem more taunting.
Headed over on the #130 past the Alder junction. Concerns of missing trail were put to rest. There is a half mile section of friendly bushes to wade through. You can see the trail on the bottom foot but that's it. There is one slight confusing point. For the most part just needs a visit with some power clippers.
At the Chillicut / Four Peaks Trail junction Stiller & Tony headed off on a 1.26mi jaunt to get trail data so we can post a complete #130 route. Wally and I waited in the shade for forty minutes. Then headed down the Chillicut Trail #132. This trail isn't as clean as the Oak Flat Trail but cairned, mostly clean and obvious all the way. This sucker heads straight down. It came in at a 22% grade in the upper drop.
Chillicut is a sweet trail in the upper section resembling Ash Creek on Mt Graham for a while. The creek was running due to the recent rainfall. It's lined with hand sized canyon grape leaves, sycamores, various wildflowers and lots of poison ivy. The bottom half is a roller coaster through the oven back to the trailhead.
A great day hiking from saguaros to snowballs! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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