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| Hiking | 7.21 Miles |
1,592 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.21 Miles | 2 Hrs 24 Mns | | 3.00 mph |
| 1,592 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I like Shaw Butte and they have a first class visitors center on 7th street. This is not what you would call a pretty hike this time of year. Brutal record breaking heat and little rain has fried all but the most hardy of desert plants. It is without a doubt always a great exercise park, however.
I did Shaw Butte first (not my first time) from the visitor's center. The temps this time of year are generally a bit over 100, so many people opt to go in the evening, as did I. This was a counterclockwise loop. It's a wide maintained road up the front (north) side that utility trucks use to service the towers on top. I actually prefer to do a clockwise loop, but it doesn't work as well when adding North Mountain. Shaw Butte is well traveled and easy to follow, just a bit of scree on the backside switchbacks to watch out for. The 360 north valley views are really stunning.
After reaching the main Shaw Butte summit, I like to add the 2nd peak 1960 with tall KPHF-FM (Christian Radio) tower. It gives great view of north west valley. Then a quick trip (careful footing) down the 306 trail and over to the 100 Charles Christiansen. This trail follows the valley between Shaw Butte and North Mountain to the next destination. I decided to take the pass around the north side of North on the 101 trail and then hook up with tower road off of 7th for the 3rd peak.
They really did a good job making North Mountain a family friendly summit hike. It was closed it seemed forever in 2019 and 2020, but the end result is worth it in my opinion. There are now guard rails safe for pets and kids, and it is one of the few summit trails that is paved. It is just about .8 mile to the top and very popular. Even in September, there were no less than 100 people on the hill this evening. The wide lanes don't really feel crowded though. They also added a new guard rail along 7th street for a quick safe connector back to the visitor center. At a little over 7 miles and 1600 elevation it is as easy or hard as you choose make it. |
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