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| Middle Sonoran Preserve N Loop, AZ | |
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| | Middle Sonoran Preserve N Loop, AZ | | | |
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Middle Sonoran Preserve N Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 8.24 Miles |
1,027 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.24 Miles | 2 Hrs 49 Mns | | 2.96 mph |
| 1,027 ft AEG | 2 Mns Break | | | |
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none
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| no partners | | Second time my Frasesfeld hike has been thwarted. We had some sort of 5 second power surge in the neighborhood that blew the power supply to my firewall computer. Brother Rick had to make a house call so I had to be home sooner than later; thus a hike closer to home and a tad shorter but more AEG.
Counterclockwise: Ocotillo, Ridgeback and Peak, Sidewinder, Ocotillo, Paseo Parkway West. As I started hiking I noticed the itty bitty flowers along the way. Some I recognized, some I didn't. I tried to get some pictures of these itty bitty flowers which sometimes wasn't easy as you have to get pretty low to the ground.
I got up Ridgeback Trail fairly easily and decided to attack Ridgeback Overlook Trail from the west side just for something different. I only saw two people on this side of the Ridgeback Trail and two others on the way down the north side. I started seeing lots more little Poppies and lots of Fiddleneck and some Scorpionweed and Dichelostemma capitatum. I soon realized I would be hiking a little slower putting on the brakes to grab some photos. Why is it that the better flower photos are on the lowest side of the trail rather than on the higher hillside?
I hooked up with the Sidewinder Trail and headed west up and down and around and then up for a while. I would encounter two more hikers and that would be it on this section. It's a good little climb to the top of the hills here and there were some big blooming creosote and other wildflowers to be seen along the way including lupine. The flowers did line the trail at times but they were still pretty small; nonetheless colorful.
I reached the turn to the Ocotillo Trail and headed south and eventually east. Of course, being on the flat I could make up some time. The desert is pretty through here and the trail tread is nice as you zig zag through it. I would encounter some bike riders from time to time. When I came to the intersection where I came off the Paseo Parkway West I decided I might as well finish this one off and so I headed for the sidewalk. A great time to walk and gawk as the sidewalk is lined with all sorts of flora.
The traffic noise is something I abhor but it goes with the territory here. A few bikers passed me. I didn't even hear them coming because of the road noise and wind. You feel like all the drivers are looking at you too; which is kind of weird. I tried to make good time but got distracted by the large globe mallow and brittlebush; plus the desert to the north is very pretty as well as the distant view to the mountains in the east. I did stop and pick up a bunch of caution tape that was strewn alongside the sidewalk only to see a bunch more trash just ahead. Fortunately it was in a small area.
I finally hit the entrance to the TH and headed northish. I did have to drop the tape to catch a picture of a flower. I arrived back at Tonto 3 with an additional finished trail for the Sonoran Preserve N. I really do like hiking out here. I drank most of my Huckleberry Lager and enjoyed the nice breeze while sitting in my car.
WATCH: 7.95 miles 2224 high point/ 1754 low point. 145 bpm/187 high bpm with 8% at maximum, 30% anaerobic, 44% aerobic, 16% weight control and 1.2% for picture taking  . 1229 calories used. A Tibberlocks perfect 64.3 sunny degrees at 14% humidity finishing at 4:05PM. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
enough wildflowers to slow me down but they seemed very small, though colorful. |
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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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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. 1229 calories used. A Tibberlocks perfect 64.3 sunny degrees at 14% humidity finishing at 4:05PM.
