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 | Piestewa 302 304 Loop, AZ | | -
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| | Piestewa 302 304 Loop, AZ | | | |
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Piestewa 302 304 Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 2.61 Miles |
721 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.61 Miles | 1 Hour 18 Mns | | 2.24 mph |
| 721 ft AEG | 8 Mns Break | | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | I found out Jaelyn was going to be in town a little longer so I texted Kelly to see if she would have an interest in getting cousin (1c1x) up Piestewa and I would do a hike below. Surprisingly, she chimed back quickly with a "yes". Jaelyn is a good hiker and I hate to hold her back. I want her to get the peaks that I think she would enjoy.
We met at the TH parking lot at 9:30. Easy to find parking; I was surprised. Temps were a bit chilly. At the junction, they went left and I hung a right on the 302. I hadn't hiked on this trail for a while; lot more up and down than I remember. I also haven't been here since the new construction including what seems like a set of new bathrooms in the middle section and a bridge crossing over to the last set, no more up/down the gully to get there.
Still am so surprised at our green desert compared to what we've been going through since last winter. I noticed lots of Mammillaria; they had their bitty red blooms on. The barrel cactus was also festive showing off its intensely red color. Even some brittlebush was out of control with their vibrant yellow flowers. And not to be left out this festive season, there were quite a few Engelmann's hedgehog cactus. The ocotillos were decked out in their brilliant green leaves.
As I made my way up 302, there was a loud crowd of kids coming down. I'm old, get out of my desert or tone it down... but then I thought, I'm sure I was like that ONCE  . I'm still trying to get back into hiking so this small hill was just right, as would be the 304. When I got over to the other side, there was no one around that I could see. And it was so quiet. I joined up with the 304 and headed up to the saddle. I was glad to see a bench and took advantage of it for a couple minutes. I checked my texts to see if they had made the summit and there was two pics of JLyn at the true summit.
The sun was out for good now. I started back for the TH. As I came down the hill I noticed the trail had a hiccup; it now did a switchback rather than continuing straight. And of course, the pièce de résistance would be that new bridge at the north end. It's a beauty. And then it was an up and down rollercoaster back to the junction.
I hiked up a bit to a rock where I could sit for Kelly and JLyn to get some photos of them coming down. It was fairly busy. I felt somewhat like a greeter with all the "good mornings" I said. They came down about ten minutes later and it was off to the Ole Brass Rail. I had never been there and I can see why John and Kelly like it. She bot me a belated birthday brunch. THANK YOU Kelly and for taking JLyn up. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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