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| | Penance Hike - Union Hills Loop, AZ | | | |
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Penance Hike - Union Hills Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.05 Miles |
933 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.05 Miles | 2 Hrs 39 Mns | | 2.88 mph |
| 933 ft AEG | 12 Mns Break | | | |
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none
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| no partners | | I ended up taking Tonto 3 out for a pre-sunrise spin on the 101 as I missed my ride to Ash Creek due to misreading the email's start time. The worst thing is it's already hard for me to get up that early and then to miss my ride; plus I had the scones, beer and snacks. You'd think at my old age, I would have learned to double check start times ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") . I gave thot to running up to Sedona but the West Fork Trail would be a zoo on a Sunday so I returned home to sulk and go back to bed after unpacking  .
So today I decided to run up to the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve South. I was also trying out a new pair of shoes. They were a little tight initially so I loosened up the lacing and they seemed to fit better. It was a nice day with the slightly overcast sky that I had at the beginning. In fact, I got some dynamite photos. I've been watching videos on how to shoot with a phone camera to get better shots and today I was successful at that.
After I left the Desert Tortoise Trail I wouldn't see anyone except a bike rider on the eastern part of the loop of Union Peak. I enjoyed the grade up the eastern side of the peak on the Great Horned Owl Trail. Plus you go through a fabulous cholla hillside and today the backlighting was fabulous. Granted it's not the same as shooting maples but it's better than nothing. I had initially thot I wouldn't do the peak but I felt good enough to bag it  . I think as peaks go, this one is not too hard as it has a couple flat areas on the way up.
Today I decided to actually sit on the top for a few minutes. The light was great so I tested out my 10x zoom on my Ultra 22. I wish I had known how to work this phone camera's lenses when I was in Montana. Now that I've watched a couple videos and read some articles, I have a better sense on working the 3x and 10x. Anyway, I had great views down to the dam structure and the dirt part of the dam. I also did a pano of the mountains to my east using the 10x and I'm very pleased with the results.
On my way down, I discovered my new shoes are too short so I'll have to take them back and exchange for a half-size bigger. Needless to say, my toes did not enjoy the rest of this hike and it did slow me down. The sun was out for the most part now but the temp didn't seem bad as there was a nice breeze this afternoon. There is still lots of green flora to enjoy. I was surprised I had already done six miles as I made my turn on the Desert Tortoise Trail. And here I also started seeing a few more hikers as I returned to the Trailhead.
I like this route. Oh, I did see a few lizards and of course, various birds today as well. I hit the drinking fountain and then enjoyed my Huckleberry Creme Ale from Laughing Dog Brewery, ID (the old can art).
WATCH: 1:59-4:38PM, 6.97 miles, 1641-2339 elevation. 136 avg bpm/170 max. 44% Zone 5 maximum, 43% Zone 4 anaerobic, 11% Zone 3 aerobic burning 1111 calories. Starting temp 73.3 with fair skies and 20% humidity.
My best October mileage yet, altho I've been running in the 40s for October the last two years. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
desert senna |
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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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