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| Ridgeback-Ocotillo-Sidewinder-Apache Vista, AZ | |
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| | Ridgeback-Ocotillo-Sidewinder-Apache Vista, AZ | | | |
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Ridgeback-Ocotillo-Sidewinder-Apache Vista, AZ
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| Hiking | 10.31 Miles |
1,323 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.31 Miles | 3 Hrs 22 Mns | | 3.11 mph |
| 1,323 ft AEG | 3 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | After dealing with two SOS alert phone calls from when I dropped my watch yesterday, we continued to the Trailhead. FYI there is construction northbound on Cave Creek Road north of Deer Valley Rd to Jomax (one lane).
Kelly tried to hike me into the ground, but I lived  . She tested the heck out of my "hiking prowess"... Can't remember the last time we've hiked together so it's obviously been too long.
Started out a little chilly and didn't warm up until we headed up Ridgeback. From then on it was a beautiful afternoon and we couldn't have asked for a better weather day. We came back down Ridgeback the way we came up and then headed west on Ocotillo. The trail was nice all day; one of the reasons I love hiking out here.
We came to the junction with Sidewinder and headed east but first... oh ya, that long hill; I forgot how long it was and following in Kelly's footsteps, let alone keeping up with her  , took a little extra effort. Fortunately, she was having a good conversation so it takes the stress off a little. Oh, and then the hill continued just a little more.
But from there, it was mostly downhill with a a few up hills until we got back to the Ridgeback intersection. Just before that I got growled at by a dog I had just complimented. Once we got around to near Apache Vista, Kelly thot she was a flight steward and guided me to go UP the peak. We finished off the top loop; then I saw that we had already done nine miles.
We cruised on down and back on the Sidewinder to finish off the hike in the shade. However, we glanced over to the gleaming teddy chollas across the way as they were somewhat isolated on empty ground in a few large areas. Funny I had not noticed that before.
We had a celebratory Retirement Dinner in honor of Kelly at Valle Luna on Cave Creek/Greenway. I haven't been here in twenty years. Food and service was top notch, although we initially thot we might need a map to get out of the restaurant. PS We saw Mars next to the moon upon our exit.
Great hike Kelly. Thanks for leading. I enjoyed the company, extra push and moral support. Let's not wait so long next time! Interesting differences in our RS stats altho I sync my route via the Edit on HAZ.
WATCH: 1:22 PM start, 1368-2189 elevation, 125 bpm/164 max burning 1913 calories. I was so spent I forgot to turn off my watch  so I don't have other stats. However, starting temp was 59.9 mostly cloudy, 55% humidity and I got my longest distance trophy for the year. |
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Wildflowers Observation None
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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