Tortoise Owl Union Cactus Valle Hawk Loop Photoset • tibber • 2021-11-30 • HikeArizona.COM

Tortoise Owl Union Cactus Valle Hawk Loop, AZ

	2021-11-30
	18 by tibber

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Tortoise Owl Union Cactus Valle Hawk Loop, AZ

Hiking	7.28 Miles	1,033 AEG

Hiking	7.28 Miles	2 Hrs 27 Mns	3.08 mph
	1,033 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Desert Tortoise Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Cactus Wren Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Great Horned Owl Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Union Peak Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Union Hills Loop

Valle Vista Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Dixie Mountain Loop - Sonoran Preserve

Hawk's Nest Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Partners

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Well Kelly inspired me to get some more elevation; altho I got 800 less feet, but I did get an extra mile and 1/4 . Kelly said to me the best way to be able to do the longer hikes is to practice and I think today, she proved herself right. After out ten miler on Sunday, I nailed this hike. If I had someone to play with and a snack along, I could have done more. Of course, these trails are pretty nice too.

Saw a few people coming back as I started my hike but once I turned on Tortoise, I only saw a few other hikers and one bike rider until the top of Valle Vista. I was happy that I got up Union Peak with relative ease. The views were interesting and pretty. There was that dreaded downtown southern haze. A rather nice cloud formation was up in the sky as well so I would photograph that from time to time using desert foregrounds or mountainous backgrounds. In spite of that haze, it's funny how clear it was as to some of my distant views.

As I rounded what seemed like a long Cactus Wren Trail's northside, I debated a lasso or loop? If there was a breeze, I would do the loop which involved a little extra elevation. There was just enough of a breeze so I continued on Valle to Dixie Loop for my return. I saw one lizard on this part of the route.

And what does one do when they have a great hike, you have a huckleberry beer of course . I took more pictures than I anticipated but it's not my fault the sky was so pretty and the sunlight was making the teddy cholla shine. I also like the rusty fall color of the summer weeds. Tonite I'm going to an ABC (AZ Backpackers Club) meeting on camping in winter; wondering if that would serve much purpose at this point, at least here in the Valley for sure!

WATCH: 7.15 miles (highest point 2279, lowest 1608) avg bpm 129, max 161 (21% at max, 41% at anaerobic, 37% at aerobic) burning 954 calories. Starting temp 60.7 and 29% humidity finishing at 12:02PM

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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

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