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| Hiking | 7.10 Miles |
1,289 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.10 Miles | 4 Hrs 12 Mns | | 1.80 mph |
| 1,289 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Day 4: Squaw Trail - Kanab Trail System - Out-and-Back
Since we were staying in Kanab, after three days of AZT hiking we decided to experience at least one hike in Utah and what could be better than a hike in the Kanab Trail System, with the Squaw Trail TH being barely a half-mile from the Air-BnB.
This would turn out to be the biggest workout of our vacation... at one point ascending 800' within a mile-and-a-half. While it was cool enough at the start, the climb was pretty much in the sun.
After reaching the end of the Squaw Trail at the bench, while the next mile-plus was relatively flat, it was a long slog along an ATV/4X4 road of deep soft sand with but a few areas of bare rock poking through.
The GPS track we were following was a clockwise lasso, supposedly returning along the Connector Trail, so when we saw where the Connector Trail split off, we decided to checkout a few high points first, which meant continuing along the road, then dropping down to follow the Connector Trail on the return.
Unfortunately we would find out the return part of the lasso WAS NOT even close to the Connector Trail at all. Initially there were semblances of cow-paths/game trails that gave us the feeling there MAY have been a trail some time back so we kept going, and going, and going... until well after our snack break, whadda'ya know, what's that down below us? An actual TRAIL!
While we missed out on what appeared to be a nice well-used and well-marked trail, we did get to spot a deer while on our off-trail excursion. Just a fleeting glimpse so of course, no photos.
Once back on the road (we only caught the last 1/4 mile of the Connector Trail) we left the hard-packed trail and returned to the slog-in-the-sand.
I hadn't been too enthused on the steep climb up, getting gumby-legs a few times due more to perceived rather than actual exposure, I had to psyche myself for the descent. In reality, other than the knee-and-hip workout, the descent didn't bother me in the least. Probably because all I did was focus the heels of Tracey's boots.
While pretty much a one-and-done hike for us, we'd recommend it to anyone with 3-4 hours to burn in the Kanab area.
Actually, if I hadn't been ailing a bit from ongoing lower-back issues my plan was to extend the hike another 2-3 miles to a possible off-the-beaten track ruin site I had located on an old map from the early-1900's. Oh well, at least the shorter day allowed for a bit more recovery time before our last AZT hike of the trip tomorrow.
Temps: 50°/70° |
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