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| Hiking | 19.07 Miles |
1,012 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.07 Miles | 7 Hrs 46 Mns | | 2.68 mph |
| 1,012 ft AEG | 39 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Back to the AZT again this week while the weather still makes it feasible to do longer hikes. 3 weeks ago Wally and I did the northern part of this passage, so this week me, him and Andy did the southern end starting at the Freeman Road TH heading northbound 9.5 miles and turning back.
The scenery isn't the greatest here, but I would still take it over some central Phx parks with all the urban trappings. the relative solitude is also nice and peaceful. Saw a handful of backpackers, all them heading NB. Seems like they all had the plan to spend Sunday in Kearny, which the one guy mentioned he was concerned about since it's Easter Sunday and a lot of the businesses might be closed. Also found out a section of the trail is closed in the Grand Canyon due to flooding and erosion, so many of these hikers who are planning to finish this in one trip are going to be unpleasantly surprised at some point, most likely. Talking to the backpackers has been an interesting part of this experience, getting this kind of info.
The first backpacker we saw passed us and apparently thought he could shake Wally. Wally peeled away from Andy and I and kept pace with the backpacker, getting his story and stopping at the agreed on 9 mile mark to decide how much further we wanted to go and punish ourselves.
The only wildlife was cottontail rabbits and desert hares, until the last half mile when a big rattlesnake that had just apparently had a big meal buzzed like crazy if you got near it. Got the obligatory pic and moved on.
Weather stayed cool, and by the end of the hike some hazy clouds rolled in to help that along further. I think the forecast was originally for the mid to upper 80s, so I was very grateful to not deal with that.
Saw another diamondback on Freeman Road on the way out that I swerved and spared. On the way back up 79 to Florence, when we passed the Tom Mix monument, we saw 3 police cars with their lights on and a car. At first glance it looked like someone got pulled over. Then as we passed (going 75 mph), I got a glimpse of the door on the civilian car being wide open and someone laying on the ground. Wally said he thought he saw a sheet over them, but I didn't get a good enough look. Very bad scene for sure. Looked online today to see if I find any news items, but so far nothing. Enjoyed the ride home through Gold Canyon with no RenFest traffic.
Looking to finish the middle section next weekend by following one of the dirt roads from the Kelvin-Florence "Highway". The ride in might be the bigger adventure, we'll see. |
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