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| Hiking | 7.49 Miles |
890 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.49 Miles | 3 Hrs 18 Mns | | 2.52 mph |
| 890 ft AEG | 20 Mns Break | 6 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Solo hike today, and I wasn't wanting another trek in the CCRP so I went north through Spur Cross into the Tonto National Forest. I knew the creek would be dry so I wasn't expecting much but I was mistaken. This area never disappoints me. Things were greener than I was expecting and all the Cottonwood and Sycamore bosque areas were golden with fall color. Hard to believe this is just 10 minutes from my home. 
There were only a handful of cars in the lot at 9am and I didn't see a another soul until the very end of the hike as I neared the TH. More on that later. Everyone else must have headed west towards Elephant Mountain. North is way better...but don't tell anyone. 
I've done this lollipop loop a couple of other times but this time I went CW for a change of pace. Route shown in photoset. [ photo ] I went a little farther north than shown to take my break and turn around near Chalk Canyon. There's about a 3/4 mile section of ankle busters on the north end of FR 1533. I'm undecided if going up was any improvement over coming down through this area. Gotta watch your step for sure.
After the 400' climb the views were the payoff. Easy goings on the way back with a short section of Trail 4 on the return route. There was a cool view and photo of the Cottonwood Trail 247 on the way back. That trail is a workout from east to west but from west to east I consider it a real nutrition waist channels. I suggest east to west for anyone doing the Maricopa Trail @PhxRiles.
As I neared the parking lot on the return a solo woman hiker approached me and I yielded 15' well off of the trail as she was coming uphill. She promptly pulled up her mask and then lowered a plastic full face and head shield. She looked at me as if I was Quasimodo and scowled. I said "hello" and she said nothing but might as well of made the sign of the cross at me. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") If you are that nervous about the virus I suggest maybe staying home.
On a positive note, I had a great hike on a beautiful day. Now...if only the rain would come.  |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Lots of yellow and gold with touches of orange. |
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| "If you wait, all that happens is you get older" |
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