Route Editor
Route Scout
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DESTINATION Holbert Trail - South Mountain 74 Photosets 2024-12-06 2024-11-16 2024-10-27 2023-11-26 2023-06-18 2023-05-07 2022-08-12 2022-04-24 2022-03-01 2021-11-20 2020-05-24 2020-01-06 2019-04-27 2018-04-01 2018-02-23 2017-11-24 2017-10-29 2017-09-01 2017-06-17 2017-06-03
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| HAZ Member mt98dew's 262 Photosets 2025-01-14 2025-01-13 2025-01-10 2025-01-09 2025-01-07 2025-01-06 2025-01-04 2025-01-01 2024-12-31 2024-12-30 2024-12-29 2024-12-28 2024-12-24 2024-12-21 2024-12-16 2024-12-15 2024-12-13 2024-12-10 2024-12-06 2024-12-05
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. The Park is building an activity complex at the northeast end of the parking lot, resulting in a reroute of the beginning of the Holbert Trail. Sadly, this has led to Holbert losing some of its initial charm. The gap that you hiked through at the beginning of the hike, that seemed to add a bit of mystery and adventure; the cowboy cookouts, where they would gather in the evening (or so I imagined) in the somewhat reclusive canyon; the petroglyphs that dotted the side of the trail hinting of histories and purposes far different from your morning escapism all gone. Replaced by a trail that skirts equipment and framing of coming buildings and cuts through a desolate wash at the backend of a subdivision. A far cry indeed from Holbert of yesteryear. Luckily, from the water tank road on, the trail is still as enjoyable as it has always been. Hiked up to Dobbins Lookout and noted (again) the structure across the canyon to the north of the lookout. There is an obvious trail that leads to it and I decided to check it out while it still existed. 
I hiked Holbert to where it junctures with the National and then walked down TV Road to where it intersects with Buena Vista Road. Just to the west of where these two roads meet there is an old trail that leads out to the structure I saw. Turns out, the structure is a rock wall that edges a short drop. Nice views from this vista. Similar to Dobbins, just a little closer to the city. A different perspective. Dating on the rock wall makes me think it was from the late 1970’s. I wonder what changed to make this trail defunct and can only wonder if this is a foreshadowing of the rerouted Holbert Trail. 
From the vista I followed a game trail that led back towards the Holbert Trail and with some minor down climbing was soon back on trail and heading back to the trailhead. 