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| Phon Salt-Flats 1/2 Scorpion, AZ | |
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| | Phon Salt-Flats 1/2 Scorpion, AZ | | | |
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Phon Salt-Flats 1/2 Scorpion, AZ
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| Mtn Biking | 12.40 Miles |
560 AEG |
| | Mtn Biking | 12.40 Miles | 1 Hour 58 Mns | | 6.31 mph |
| 560 ft AEG | | 6 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Nice cool morning, 72°... just right for a leisurely bike ride.
Started off in a poor frame-of-mind due to evidence of an ATV driving over the angled metal bar on the gate at the Phon D Sutton Mid-Mountain parking lot and continuing a half-mile north then west past the caged mine and partway down the wash toward the Salt River between Phon D Sutton and Coon Bluff. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Since I saw no tracks when I was out here Sunday morning it most likely happened Sunday afternoon or later.
Later in the week my assumption would be corroborated by a couple who hike the area daily. They would also tell me the ATV went up and the hill straight west of the parking area, tearing up the tread of the trail while making the footing even more treacherous than previously.
To regain a better frame-of-mind I rode out to a few different Salt River overlooks but the semi-euphoria lasted only until I crossed Bush Highway to ride a ways on the Scorpion Trail, where I saw where the same ATV had squeezed its way through the small arch which was so mountain bikers could avoid going through the gate... 
Anyway, the tracks continued about an eight-mile before heading off along the remnants of an ancient road which led up to the gravel pits, but for many years had been a wild horse trail, but no more since the wild horses no longer have access.
I turned around 1/2 way up Scorpion, took a quick run downhill back to Bush (one 18 mph burst was all the trail conditions allowed), crossed Bush, another quick and more sustained run until reconnecting with Salt Trail #100 and back to the start.
Although a bit bummed by the evidence of an ATV going where it doesn't belong, it didn't dampen the overall pleasantness of the ride. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
