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| Apache Peak - Elephant Mtn - Maricopa Tr Loop, AZ | |
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| | Apache Peak - Elephant Mtn - Maricopa Tr Loop, AZ | | | |
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Apache Peak - Elephant Mtn - Maricopa Tr Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 17.15 Miles |
3,507 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.15 Miles | 10 Hrs 22 Mns | | 1.96 mph |
| 3,507 ft AEG | 1 Hour 36 Mns Break | 14 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | I was looking for a place that would be less traveled that we could both drive to.
I'd never hiked from the Spear S Ranch TH on 7th Street. 39 degrees and no cars in the lot at our 6:30 start. It's a nice trail to where we turned off to attack Apache Peak. There is a local "use trail" to the top, that has it's name carved into a rock. It's known as the Fathers Day Trail. Easy to follow and gets steeper and steeper to the top. The only tricky part is finding your same way down, through the break in the wall. Up top, a tattered flag and a mailbox.
[ youtube video ]
We dropped down to the saddle and then northish on another use trail. We lost it once. Off to attacking Elephant Mountain from the west. This was a slow process. Lots of up, prickly things and boulder hopping. Finally on top of the Elephant, the views are great in all directions. We had our lunch at a responsible distance.
[ youtube video ]
Exiting the peak to the east is a bit slippery and slow going. Interesting geology here.
We were happy to be back on a trail all the way back to the TH. We passed 4 hikers and 1 biker through 15 miles. the last 2 miles to the TH, we passed more.
This one zapped me. I always know is been a tougher hike when my shoulders are sore the next day. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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