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| | Ridgeback - Apache Vista Loop, AZ | | | |
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Ridgeback - Apache Vista Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.12 Miles |
799 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.12 Miles | 2 Hrs 2 Mns | | 3.03 mph |
| 799 ft AEG | 1 Min Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | Got up at 6:15AM and groggily made my way to the TH. When I got out of Tonto there wasn't much of a breeze so that was a little discouraging as I made my way on the Ocotillo Trail. There were a few other hikers out and about.
I made the turn on Ridgeback Trail and a runner passed me by; always a bit disheartening  , and it would happen again on another part of the hike. I like the grade on this first part of the climb. I was thinking of just going up and down but as usual, I would change my mind. I actually passed a few hikers on the way up  ; guess that Hangover Loop paid off. As I got to the top of the Overlook Trail I saw a bike rider steward. I ended up talking to him at the bottom of the Overlook Trail. He said they are restarting this stewardship as I had mentioned I don't recall seeing a bike riding steward out on the trail before.
I headed on down the Ridgeback Trail and would encounter a bike rider coming up and the steward passed me on the way down. I would also encounter two runners who had paused to their walking stage. Near the junction with Sidewinder Trail I would see a hiker and his young dog who was panting pretty good and seemed reluctant to go on; the second dog I've seen on the trails like that in the last couple weeks. I knew when I hit the Sidewinder Trail the breeze would start up so I looked forward to that. And by now my legs were in hiking mode. Sometimes it seems to take a bit for them to warm up.
I would see a few more hikers as I sidewinded my way east. I do like this easy trail tread as I do the tread at Glacier Park where I will be going in early July. I don't really like having to do all this prep for Glacier but I really have no choice. And I almost made it all the way without taking a photo until I saw the tip of a saguaro arm was totally covered in blooms. I made it to Apache Wash and noticed our Traffic Saguaro has lost an arm, thus making it easier to know which way to go . I continued up the trail and let a hiker pass me. By this time I had made up my mind to do the Peak. I know, I know, it's not much of a peak but sometimes I have to persuade myself to do it; especially when I'm hungry, ha!
I only encountered a pair of hikers and a pair of bike riders on my trek on the peak loop, oh and a couple big lizards. The saguaros near the top are blooming nicely but my memory card was full and I didn't feel the need to pull out my phone. I finished off the hike on the Sidewinder to Ocotillo Trail. I noticed the parking lot was certainly not as full as normal for a Sunday morning. I completed the same mileage of Day One that I will do at Glacier except I'll have a backpack packed for 7 days...
Isn't it great that the temps look to stay below 100 (except for next Sunday) for the next couple weeks  and with lows in the high 60s, low 70s. This is great for my prep hiking that I have to do.
WATCH (I forgot to turn it off until I got to Q-Trip for my frozen cappucino) Start time 7:02AM, 120 bpm/151 max burning 823 calories. Starting temp 66.1 altho Tonto said 71, sunny and 27% humidity. |
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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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. I continued up the trail and let a hiker pass me. By this time I had made up my mind to do the Peak. I know, I know, it's not much of a peak but sometimes I have to persuade myself to do it; especially when I'm hungry, ha!