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| Hiking | 10.36 Miles |
1,095 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.36 Miles | 4 Hrs 45 Mns | | 2.20 mph |
| 1,095 ft AEG | 2 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Life has been getting in the way of my getting outside...with the drop in temps, I figured I had to take advantage of it, even if it meant getting a late start and a lot fewer miles than typical for me. Was looking for something relatively easy but scenic where I could just walk and enjoy - I figured either the lost goldmine trail (again) or a walk as far as I could get taking into account my available daylight out the Coffee Flat trail from Peralta Trailhead. @00blackout suggested I hit Coffee Flat for a change in scenery, and the recommendation didn't disappoint.
Arrived at the trailhead at about 1:15 to find the main lot with a handful of spaces available, with more people coming off trail than heading in. Gathered my things, signed the register and headed off with the skies full of puffy clouds and variable winds. On the initial climb up out of the parking lot, a group of equestrians passed me on their way out. Hiking onward, I soon passed two more hikers heading out in quick succession - I had the trail to myself for the remainder of my day.
The clouds made for interesting skies, and the changing breeze made flower photography a bit dicy. Unfortunately I discovered a number of my photos were blurry (gold poppies, wirelettuce/skeletonplant, and some small purple blooms that I'm not convinced were scorpionweed. Also got a photo of a saguaro with blooms, but alas, it was too far away to be worth including). The scenery along the hike was beautiful, especially when entering areas that had stands of saguaro and ocotillo. In addition to the views, the geology underfoot proved plenty interesting, with shale, quartz, and even some obsidian making an appearance, in addition to a bunch of other rock types that I wasn't certain of.
Once I hit my designated turn around time (just shy of hitting Reeds Water / Randolph canyon), I turned around to retrace my steps - I made better time heading back, since I wasn't stopping as frequently to try to take photos of plants  . Made it back to the lot to find just a handful of cars remaining. Seems I started heading home just in time as my drive home was spent battling strong crosswinds and flying debris.
Wildlife: plenty of birds, mostly quail, especially in the later hours, a couple of lizards, and numerous butterflies (none of which were photographed). Spied a couple of cows close to the trail...they failed to startle me 
It was fantastic to get back out on a trail, I was clearly missing it and was suffering from withdrawl. I'll definitely need to head back out along Coffee Flat when I have more time to cover more distance! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Not very many...the cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro look like they are getting ready to put on a show, but there aren't very many buds on the plants this year. |
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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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Route Editor
Route Scout
. Made it back to the lot to find just a handful of cars remaining. Seems I started heading home just in time as my drive home was spent battling strong crosswinds and flying debris.
