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| Lost Ranch Ruins Loop, AZ | |
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| | Lost Ranch Ruins Loop, AZ | | | |
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Lost Ranch Ruins Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 5.52 Miles |
1,377 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.52 Miles | 3 Hrs 23 Mns | | 1.63 mph |
| 1,377 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Surprisingly full parking lot for a weekday as in no spaces to be had on arrival...though several groups were on their way out so spaces appeared quickly.
Saw several folk while doing the loop and a couple of pups, but I wouldn't consider the trails crowded with a steady stream of individuals.
The walk up to the ranch ruins goes by quickly with gently graded elevation - immediately after the ranch ruins, the trail climbs aggressively to attain the ridge and junction with the National Trail/Maricopa Trail. The winds were blowing strongly up on the ridge, with surprisingly good visibility all around.
The National Trail is in great shape, possibly benefitting from the recent National Trail Trek. After cruising a short distance on the ridge, picked up the prospector loop/Lost Ranch Mine trail back down off the ridge (steep, but not too many loose sections). I didn't realize how many abandoned mines/mine shafts are on South Mountain - several of which are right off the trail.
It's probably worth mentioning that the Pyramid Trailhead is now called the Bursera Trailhead. The approach to the Lost Ranch ruins begins with the Bursera Trail out of the parking area (rather than the Pyramid Trail) There is no more signage for the Pyramid Trail, it appears to have been renamed the Gila Trail, though this is not reflected on the maps available from the City of Phoenix.
Not a bad way to spend a few hours midweek! |
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Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually  |
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