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Grapevine Magazine Loop, AZ
mini location map2022-01-22
11 by photographer avatarjoebartels
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Grapevine Magazine Loop, AZ 
Grapevine Magazine Loop, AZ
 
Hiking13.10 Miles 3,616 AEG
Hiking13.10 Miles   7 Hrs   38 Mns   1.93 mph
3,616 ft AEG      51 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Endless Wind

The New River Mountains probably wouldn't get a shout-out in my favorite fifty hikes. In 2015, we hiked a twenty-mile loop out here that left me with a nagging desire to return. I'd mentioned it a few times over the years and I think it was purposely ignored in retrospect. It's crystal clear now. The terrain is loaded with catclaw. Not the kiddy cane whips, the briar-woven-looking bushes with thorns that resemble shark teeth.

Hike twenty miles out here in shorts, as Bruce did, and your desire to return is probably zero to null. Nobody hates pants more than me but they seriously work well in this terrain on cool days. While this stuff appears gnarly, you can walk around most and over the smaller specimens without getting caught up and shredded to hell. Only a scratch on my wrist drew blood on this day.

This catclaw/cow-patty loop hoping barbed wire fences will never be crowded with hikers. The wind beat me silly, ten miles was more than enough today. Despite the undesirables, I still find the ridgelines and distance views intriguing.

Bruce drove up Humbolt since we had plenty of time. Cool to see it up close, once anyhow, since it's visible from so many hikes. The paved road is a single lane with few passing opportunities but damn that road is smooth. A guy in a jeep we crossed paths with twice on our hike was at the top.

Had a slice of Piestewa heading home for a sanity check. Hope to hike 'em both again!
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- joe
 
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