|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 4.32 Miles |
1,084 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.32 Miles | 2 Hrs 5 Mns | | 2.07 mph |
| 1,084 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Walk west along the wide dirt path, to the four-way stop sign you drove through a few minutes ago. Cross catty corner, heading north along the sidewalk. At the first side road, on the left, is a metal “West Wing Mountain” sign, frequently ignored doggie doo bag dispenser, and trash can. Take that dirt singletrack trail.
The trail follows a right-of-way between private communities, then begin the first of four short, but steep climbs: 300 ft. (12%), 300 ft. (16%), 180 ft. (11%) and 100 ft. (19%, with a scramble). The middle two with only a short respite.
At the saddle that ties the West Wing trails together, I turned right, along the "golden cliffs" on the mountain's southern midslope.
As the trail approaches the dam, it turns west, switchbacking up to Hill 1818. It may not look like a hill when the trail passes right over the top of it, but “1818” is how it is marked on the topo. Hill 1818 has nice views to the east and south, despite the lack of prominence. The trail descends, straightens out a bit, climbs to a saddle, and passes by the base of Hill 1930’s summit at 2⅔ miles. It’s only 40 ft. up.
After also hitting adjacent Hill 1918, I turned on to Canyon Overlook Trail. It is rated difficult, mainly for a 100 yd. long section near the top. My old  had to use handholds while cautiously stepping down. At the bottom was the smoothest trail of the day. The north slope was in deep, chilly shadow. I saw small sheets of graupel ice.
Back at the saddle interchange, after just under three miles, I saw a couple packing lawn chairs up to Hill 1930. Never seen that before.
Western Overlook Trail is typical rocky goodness for about 100 yds. Then it nearly disappears in scree. Finally, it scrambles 30 ft. up a small chute before finding the trail that traverses it’s high line. A 270° viewing arc from Ludden Mountain clockwise to the TSMC factory. (Which is back on track.)
From the trailhead, Western Overlook would be a quick lunchtime hike, 2¼ miles round trip, with 460 AEG. Like I told a couple on the way back down, a lot of bang for your buck! 
Rumble: https://rumble.com/v46xqeu-hiking-west- ... izona.html
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/902701508 |
|
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Saw a single penstemon shrub by the houses, about 2 p.m. |
|
| _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. After hitting the peaks I returned the way I came. Sharing the trails with 2 other hikers, a chipmunk, 2 rabbits and close to 40 lizards.
