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| Hiking | 8.49 Miles |
766 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.49 Miles | 3 Hrs 6 Mns | | 2.74 mph |
| 766 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Continuing my adventure on the Maricopa Trail. Started 7:45am from McDowell Mountain Ranch Rec Center parking lot and hiked SW. Cool and clear, probably 43 degrees. I had located Javelina Trailhead on Google Maps but when I got to MMR the road led into a gated community. So I parked at the Rec Center and used that as my base. First part of this hike meandered gradually downhill through palo verde, bur sage and some saguaros in a wash-type setting with houses on either side. Eventually came to a golf course which I'm guessing is the McDowell Mt. Ranch course. Too bad I didn't bring a couple clubs along...I could've hit a few shots. :-) Failing that, I got a few photos of the course.
I followed the trail south along the power lines and the canal to where I'd left off previously (above Cactus/Frank Lloyd Wright). Some good views of the McDowell Mts. and back toward the city. Lightly trafficked, ran into occasional hikers/joggers.
Getting back to the parking lot, it was warm enough to shed my long pants and sweatshirt. I started the second half of the hike which led gradually uphill through the houses and saguaros, bur sage, creosote and occasional fishhook barrel cactus. Looking ahead I had good views of the McDowell Mts. I followed the Paradise Trail sign to the Levee Trail intersection, which provided a great view of Camelback. Squaw Pk. and Scottsdale. This part is less trafficked than the previous portion, which I enjoyed. I'll finish the section from Gateway Trailhead to the Levee Trail in the next couple days, along with the section from Royal Palm Rd. to Indian Bend Rd. That'll take care of the Gateway section of the MT.
I'm enjoyoing the MT so far. It'll have to do for my Camino for now. At least it gives me a goal! |
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