| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 5.86 Miles |
1,339 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.86 Miles | 2 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.75 mph |
| 1,339 ft AEG | 22 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Hikers swarming Piestewa outnumbered the gnats so I headed to South Mountain. Greeted to a friggen silent Sunday. Holbert is the obvious choice and there is no lack of parking. New detailed trail signage on the first post. Then stickers on several more for a sponsored adopt a trail segment.
Holy crap, they fixed the trail through the Box Canyon ravine. For decades they've half-assed it around a shortcut, leaving the shortcut lure. Looks solid, time will tell if it can hold in this hood.
Totally different vibe* here today. Shocking Telegraph-Esque hellos across the flats. Hands down the busiest I've ever seen Holbert. I've rarely enjoyed the lower section prior, today I was almost sad it went so quick. Cool and a Breezy 80° at 8:30 am with a series of 111° highs just 4 days away likely weighed heavily on the turnout too.
* term skyrocketed 1988-2007
It was a sweatbox grinding up the canyon. The hello's tapered off. Upper Holbert highlands was refreshingly breezy for undoubtedly the last pleasant spring temps in the valley.
They're rebuilding Holbert Lookout. Odds seem high it'll get destroyed but you can't change the culture without trying.
At the top of Holbert I jumped on the Maricopa Trail, I mean the Sun Circle Trail, I mean the National Trail to a high point with nice views of the Four Peaks, the valley and Piestewa. Checked back at home for the highest point on National. There are 3 spots around 2440 ft. A 2440 blip just west of Holbert and 2 blips west of Telegraph. As suspected the high point is near radio ridge, around 2500 ft.
Returned as an out-n-back. Brittlebush is going trademark, one brush will send rattle shivers down your spine. The volume of large groups starting after 11 a.m. was impressive. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
