| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 14.74 Miles |
2,043 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.74 Miles | 4 Hrs 51 Mns | | 3.04 mph |
| 2,043 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Wife and I were in Tucson for a few days, primarily so I could play on the AZ Trail. My wife was going to do all the grunt work and drive me around to the TH’s and I was going to have all the fun hiking the trails. While I was enjoying the sprawling views of passage 6, she was stuck at the Mercantile at Sonoita, visiting with the locals and other travelers, buying wine and then exploring the nearby area (the historic area of Empire Ranch and the alignment of old Sonoita Highway. She actually said it wasn’t too bad. What a trooper!
We didn’t get to the Oak Tree TH until 11:30 (today was a transit day from Phoenix). Velva walk in with me for the first mile until we reached the first gate. The first .9 miles is a connector trail from the TH and then the last .1 mile brought us to the top of a small rise where the gate was. We enjoyed the views (which were actually some of the best of the hike), and said our goodbyes. The next 2.5 miles was a downhill rollercoaster, which kind of became the theme of the day. It leveled off briefly when I hit the wash at 2.71, before gaining a bit and then continuing down to a couple of roads at 4.06. The first road crossing was very nice and would make a nice alternative as a TH. Roadside parking and no hiking in to the trail. It obviously got a lot of use as I could see vehicles as I was descending and hear the shots of frustrated Chiefs fans in the distance. 
After crossing the second road (which was only .25 miles after the first) the trail takes a moderate approach to the hill before you. The intensity only last for a short duration before it flattened out and became a much more mild climb. This is is where I encountered the only people I saw all day. Three trail workers were doing some maintenance. I told them the grade up was a little more steeper than I was comfortable with and the wash crossings had been a little sandy and asked if they could do anything about it. Shortly thereafter I reached the top of the next rise and the third gate (5.19 miles). I could see the trail winding before and I thought “Oh yeah! I got this.” Unfortunately, what I soon learned, was that with every rise came a wash and that with every wash came a climb.  Let the rollercoaster begin! Most of the elevation change was mild to low moderate, but there was enough of it, that it started to catch up with me. Not sure if my shoes are just getting old or if this trail was annoyingly rocky, but my feet seemed to feel a lot of what I was walking upon. I went through a total of five gates and I can’t tell you how many rises and washes. Even though it looked promising, I didn’t want to get my hopes up with the landscape beyond the last gate. I had been amazed at the number of hills I could find within the hills. But this view remained true and the last 2.7 miles was a gradual descent into the lowlands below. I hit Lakes Road around 14.07 and I was happily surprised to see my wife hiking in towards me.  The road is not a pleasant walk, but it was totally enjoyable with my wife and knowing that the car was at the end.
Nice hike. Easy to follow and almost entirely on a single track. More elevation gain than you would anticipate going north (2000, though it soul be worse going south. I lost 3000 ft). Weather was perfect, 70’s, light breeze and clouds for most of the day. Had the trails to myself except for the trail workers. Wildlife included cows (only about 15); a couple deer and a couple covies of quail. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
