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| McFadden Duo and Elephant Rock Arch, AZ | | -
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| | McFadden Duo and Elephant Rock Arch, AZ | | | |
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McFadden Duo and Elephant Rock Arch, AZ
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| Hiking | 11.96 Miles |
3,180 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.96 Miles | 7 Hrs 14 Mns | | 1.98 mph |
| 3,180 ft AEG | 1 Hour 11 Mns Break | 14 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Linda was up for an adventure in the Ancha. If this place was not so far from home, I'd spend a lot more time out here. But so would everyone else.
My plans were to do a CCW loop. McFadden Horse Mountain #146 > to the overlook up top > drop down to hit Elephant Rock Arch then off trail it to 288. After this hit McFadden Peak and complete the loop using McFadden Park Trail #55.
We parked in the pullout. All the Maps I've seen, call this Cienega Spring Trail #145. The sign at the TH call this #146 McFadden Horse Trail. Cienega Spring Trail does not join in and split off, until farther up. Not sure which is correct.
Branches and forest litter have been placed across the beginning to keep the Quads off the trail.
This trail gets your heart beating right out of the gate climbing 1900' to the McFadden Horse Mountain Peak. After this it trends slightly down, heading north towards the overlook and out to our drop in point. There's quite a bit of deadfall on this trail that is easily bypassed.
Loaded with a GPS track from @joebartels and @Bifrost, we checked out all our choices to drop in and finally settled on one we were both comfortable with. We found a steep loose chute and let the butt scoot begin.
We ultimately made our way over to the promised highlight of the day, Elephant Rock Arch, and enjoyed a break and some lunch. I never get tired of the geology in the Ancha. The route back over to SR288 is all off trail and can be slow going.
Next, up to the McFadden Lookout. Nobody was home and it was all locked up, so we took a break in the shade and enjoyed a snack.
I still have a bit of a lung funk going on, so Linda agreed that it's be ok to walk the road back in lieu of completing the loop on McFadden Park Trail #55. This cut off a couple of miles and some elevation gain at the end.
Pretty nice weather all day. Breezes kept in descent.
Good times in the Ancha. Good hiking with you again Linda. |
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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