Window Traverse (Esperero-Ventana Cyn) • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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I call this the Esperero to Window Peak Hike but in actuality I hiked from Sabino Canyon until noon and then turned around. I made it to the Saddle above Esperero and Montrose Canyon. This would actually be a better hike to do from Esperero and finish on Ventana Trail but due to lack of a shuttle I opted to do an in and out. I think I would do Ventana in and Esperero out, but it's a tough call both trails are relentless in their climbs. Esperero is definitely worse so I guess it depends which one you tears you up the least, climbing or descending.
The Esperero Trail with me is a love hate relationship. When done I reflect back at how I really liked this hike but while on it I'm cursing the endless climbing. This relationship dates back to the 60's when my father took us up this trail (while hiking I thought it was punishment). More recently I dragged my kids up here and here I am again. Bridal Veil falls had a light flow with ice still clinging to the plants around it. Looks like earlier in the morning the falls was spewing ice because below the falls was a pile of ice pellets that were starting to melt as the sun made its entrance. Took a short break here before the ascent up toward Window Peak. I had only been up this upper portion of the trail once before but it was in the 60's with my brother and I believe we were doing the Esperero Sabino Canyon traverse. Don't remember much about it though except Bridal Veil Falls was frozen over.
Great hike (now that I'm home and reflecting back) great views, although most of the enjoying of views was on the way down since I was preoccupied with the relentless climbing on the way up. There was running water in the upper portion of Esperero Canyon for a short stretch just prior to Bridal Veil Falls. The traverse trail was easy to follow but at the saddle above Montrose and Esperero Canyons on the way up to Window Peak it was a little vague due to overgrowth. Since I didn't go any further I don't know what it is like the rest of the way to the summit. There is a recent write up on this portion under the Esperero-Ventana Traverse.

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2 archives

Oct 04 2016

air

Guides 2
Routes 17
Photos 307
Triplogs 44

male

Joined Dec 24 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, AZ

Hike & Climb		Oct 04 2016
		air • Triplogs 44

Hike & Climb	15.30 Miles	5,050 AEG

Hike & Climb	15.30 Miles
	5,050 ft AEG

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First time up window peak.
Thank you to Jim_H for the nice photos and tips that made the peak ascent easy.
Highlight of the trip was the spectacular airshow by about 35 ravens that came in from the west and then circled and played above window peak with acrobatics around the peak.
https://vimeo.com/1857...

Went up Ventana and down Esperero.
Lost the trail more than a few times due to the non-native Lehmann Lovegrass covering the Ventana canyon trail starting around Maiden Pools and also in a few spots on Esperero going down before you hit the creek and then the entire stretch between the creek and Cardiac Gap.
Apparently not just me because some of the wrong turns unfortunately looking more like the trail than the trail itself, you just end up in a spot that doesn't make sense (cliff, pile of boulders, furious looking vegetation)
Not recommended at all or if you do feel you have to go bring a stick and wear pants.
Esperero from Cardiac Gap down is now much better than it was a month ago and I flew down that section.

First time at Bridal Veil falls and the water really helped.
Total water for the day was 6 liters thanks to the one I picked up at the falls.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Lehmann lovegrass

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Milkweed Bug

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1 archive

Feb 13 2016

HandsomeRob

Photos 137
Triplogs 13

42 male

Joined Feb 10 2016
Tucson, az

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 13 2016
		HandsomeRob • Triplogs 13

Hiking	15.30 Miles	4,863 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles
	4,863 ft AEG

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SCA

so much uphill climbing! thigh burning fun

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Nov 20 2015

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 20 2015
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Hiking	18.00 Miles	5,000 AEG

Hiking	18.00 Miles	9 Hrs 30 Mns	1.89 mph
	5,000 ft AEG

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Excellent climb up Ventana Canyon and past the amazing Window then down Esperero and a road walk back to the start. Lots of water, and a bit of thin snow in shady areas up high. Upper Esperero is getting a bit overgrown.

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Jun 12 2015

azdesertfather

Guides 16
Routes 81
Photos 1,269
Triplogs 1,144

51 male

Joined Apr 30 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 12 2015
		azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,144

Hiking	15.50 Miles	5,395 AEG

Hiking	15.50 Miles	8 Hrs 22 Mns	2.26 mph
	5,395 ft AEG	1 Hour 31 Mns Break

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Have you ever been out on a hike and a song was so stuck in your head that any time you hear the song, you think about that hike? I have a feeling that's gonna be true here. New song played in the car ride, and on the hike.

Very enjoyable day, back on Esperero and Ventana. Thanks to fricknaley :app:

, who picked me up at Ventana TH and shuttled me over to Sabino. He had an early morning appointment with Blackett's Ridge and was extremely gracious in letting me bum a ride ... walking from Sabino to Ventana afterward in 100-degree heat would not have been a great way to end this one. :yuck:

Found myself shooting up Esperero around 5:30am, beautiful temps helped me kick up the pace and get a jump on this one.

The morning trip up Esperero was wonderful. Almost complete shade the whole way up. After I passed an elderly Asian couple at the start of Esperero (just off the road), I never saw another soul the entire day...had both canyons and the peak all to myself. Esperero had one big area of some really thick, high grass in one area, probably 4 feet tall and crazy thick, and dead. Not a good recipe. Farther up, Esperero had the usual brush growth across the trail once past the Cathedral Rock junction. For me, it was the first time on this final section of Esperero, no Cathedral turnoff today.

Made my way toward Window Peak — especially loved slipping over the ridge and seeing the view of Oro Valley, Catalina, and northwest Tucson. Once I made it up to Window Peak I never could find the register, once I made it up to the top I looked around but just wasn't in the exact right spot. Lots of really large boulders there with steep dropoffs between them. Spent over a half hour soaking up the view, then headed down. The heat was on, but I still had a lot of shade thanks to the oaks and juniper until dropping to 4500 feet.

Before leaving the oaks, funny, I startled a snake relaxing and staying cool in one of the branches. He quickly tried to get down and put his weight on a branch that was dead. It snapped and he fell down onto the ground (ouch!).

Oh, and the song? Like friendofThundergod, I'm a total alternative music guy... check out "Stressed Out" by twenty one pilots. Crazy dudes. Careful tho, this song can get in your head and not leave...https://youtu.be/pX ... 6vMY ](*,)

Esperero Canyon

Dry

Ventana Canyon

Dry

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"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau

4 archives

Mar 29 2015

Jim

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Window Peak, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2015
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	16.00 Miles	5,332 AEG

Hiking	16.00 Miles	10 Hrs 10 Mns		1.85 mph
	5,332 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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HAZ - Event

Window from Sabino using the Esperero. Turns out, I am not a big fan of the Esperero Trail. I used GPS Joe's traverse track, trimmed, cloned, reversed 1, joined, re-synced and arrived at my figures, so I assume they are accurate. Poison ivy in the middle of Esperero, which is similar to what I remember for Ventana and Romero.

	Esperero Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Dry where it matters, except for a waterfall near a camping spot.

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Mar 28 2014

rvcarter

Guides 36
Routes 310
Photos 2,235
Triplogs 241

79 male

Joined Mar 27 2008
tucson, az

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 28 2014
		rvcarter • Triplogs 241

Hiking	15.30 Miles	4,863 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles
	4,863 ft AEG

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Three of us closed the loop on a section that I hadn't been able to get to over the years. The part past Window Rock is not bad but steep, and the climb to the top is a good scramble. Highly recommend trying the scramble/climb to the top. Full day for most people.

Trail is in good shape, and it will soon be too hot to do this hike. Don't know why, but my aeg is about 400 feet lower than the official.

Outstanding views and magnificent rock formations from the window to the peak, and basically anywhere from the ridges on either side of the peak.

Bridal Veil Falls is just a drip. We met 3 backpackers headed there for the night. Hope they found engough water.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ - Selfie

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mount Lemmon

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Check out my Instagram posts at "cartershift", and videos on my Rumble channel "rvcarter".

Dec 07 2013

RedwallNHops

Guides 1
Routes 269
Photos 613
Triplogs 1,360

50 male

Joined Dec 22 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 07 2013
		RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,413 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs 28 Mns	2.14 mph
	5,413 ft AEG	2 Hrs 19 Mns Break

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Baja Arizona Hiking

GrottoGirl

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Dec 07 2013

GrottoGirl

Guides 3
Routes 569
Photos 11,976
Triplogs 1,634

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 07 2013
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,413 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs 28 Mns	2.14 mph
	5,413 ft AEG	2 Hrs 19 Mns Break

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RedwallNHops

Another awesome Alt Hike! I posted the hike midweek and was overwhelmed by the response? In the end we had 14 hikers. The Window was very cold so we took our lunches up Window Peak. I got to do first human tracks down the snow from the peak into Esperero. Bridle Veil had interesting ice formations. We went for pizza at Zona 78 afterwards to fill up!

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Dec 11 2012

Gardka31

Photos 312
Triplogs 55

37 female

Joined Dec 02 2012
Phoenix,AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 11 2012
		Gardka31 • Triplogs 55

Hiking	15.30 Miles	4,863 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles
	4,863 ft AEG

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Hiked up Ventana canyon to the Window & then in the way down took Esperero by accident - this canyon reminded me of the Superstitions in terms of rock and spires. Loved the hike, Ventana was nice and steep - which is what I prefer! Gorgeous hike

Named place

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[ checklist ] Santa Rita Mountains Window Rock

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Dec 01 2012

RedwallNHops

Guides 1
Routes 269
Photos 613
Triplogs 1,360

50 male

Joined Dec 22 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 01 2012
		RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,413 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs 28 Mns	2.14 mph
	5,413 ft AEG	2 Hrs 19 Mns Break

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Perfect day to do this. Wonderful lunch stop on top of Window Peak.

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

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Feb 25 2012

markyarch

Routes 5
Photos 34
Triplogs 210

54 male

Joined Jul 19 2009
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 25 2012
		markyarch • Triplogs 210

Hiking	18.10 Miles	5,331 AEG

Hiking	18.10 Miles	5 Hrs 48 Mns	3.12 mph
	5,331 ft AEG

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Booneman

Perfect day for a big vertical hike with in 2 hours of Chandler. If you go to Window Peak, AEG is ~5330 ft. Walked through some snow along the way which is nice considering its a dry winter. Walked by the road back to Sabino Canyon.

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Feb 25 2012

Booneman

Guides 9
Routes 33
Photos 780
Triplogs 4,634

44 male

Joined Nov 25 2008
Scottsdale, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 25 2012
		Booneman • Triplogs 4,634

Hiking	18.10 Miles	5,332 AEG

Hiking	18.10 Miles	5 Hrs 48 Mns	3.12 mph
	5,332 ft AEG

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markyarch

Mark and I wanted to go for something big (in terms of elevation) today in Tucson, and the route up Esperero to the Window seemed like a fitting choice. We even added in a summit of Window Peak during this rugged, yet beautiful trek through one of my favorite places to hike in the entire state; the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. The extra mileage resulted from our choice to walk from Ventana Canyon back to the Sabino Canyon Visitors Center, instead of taking a cab. Great day, and a great hike.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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2 archives

Nov 20 2011

RedwallNHops

Guides 1
Routes 269
Photos 613
Triplogs 1,360

50 male

Joined Dec 22 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 20 2011
		RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,413 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs 28 Mns	2.14 mph
	5,413 ft AEG	2 Hrs 19 Mns Break

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SAHC - Group

GrottoGirl

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

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Nov 20 2011

GrottoGirl

Guides 3
Routes 569
Photos 11,976
Triplogs 1,634

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 20 2011
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,413 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs 28 Mns		2.14 mph
	5,413 ft AEG	2 Hrs 19 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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SAHC - Group

RedwallNHops

We saw that Steve was leading a hike to the Window today for SAHC, so we asked if he'd pick us up at Sabino Canyon before the meet time so we could do the loop. He decided he'd go with us if no one else showed up.

At Sabino, a coyote was lounging in the parking lot. He seemed pretty used to the cars.

As we were getting all our gear on, I noticed that Steve's pack was leaking - he had a new Camelback bladder and no matter how many times he try to screw it in it still leaked. We continued to Maiden Pools. There Steve decided he was fed up with having a wet backside and had lost about a half liter so far so he turned around.

Joel and I continued up to the Window where we had a break. It was freezing! From there we continued up to the saddle next to Window Peak. We scrambled up Window Peak and had our lunch. The views from the top are wonderful. You can see Cathdral, Little Kimball, Mt Kimball, and much more!

From there we went down into Esperero Canyon. There was a nice sized pile of moist bear poop with blue colored berries in it.

We stopped for another break at Bridal Veil falls. It was dripping pretty good. From there we headed back to the car at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. Along the way we saw a tarantula and a bull snake.

After the hike we immediately went for Chinese and ice cream!

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

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Nov 08 2011

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

https://www.youtube.com/user/PrestonTheY ... SiC2QS6WNc

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 08 2011
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,329 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles
	5,329 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

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fricknaley

Nick and I had been talking about doing the Window for quite awhile and today we had the chance. We set up our shuttle and headed up the Ventana Trail on a chilly autumn morning. We pusched our way up the rugged canyon, first through saguaros, then oak, and finally into pines: a classic sky island experience.

Turning onto the Esperero Trail we entered a snowy wonderland of frosted trees and hoodoo rocks. And, of course, there were incredible views of the massive Catalina range. As we approached the Window a scene of massive rock spires and snow covered pines appeared. I was in heaven and snapping photos by the score. We chilled (literally) at the Window for a few minutes before continuing east along the slopes of Window Peak. Snow conditions looked acceptable for us to summit, so we left the trail and made the fun little scramble up Window Peak. Enjoyed the view, then continued our journey on into Esperero Canyon. Esperero Canyon was especially scenic, with its huge rocks and pine-oak woodland. After a long descent we entered saguaro country again, and other hikers began to appear, signalling our proximity to civilization. We arrived back at the Sabino trailhead after a full day in the mountains, and shuttled back to my truck at Ventana. Nick went home and I went over to Mesquite Valley Growers for a much needed cactus fix. A great hike for sure, and a wonderful mini-vacation. Thanks for another awesome Catalina tour, Nick!

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Nov 08 2011

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 4,984
Triplogs 4,124

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 08 2011
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124

Hiking	15.30 Miles	5,329 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles
	5,329 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

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PrestonSands

preston and i have been talking about the window traverse for quite some time. he finally made it down my way and we made a plan to hike it in reverse just in case the snow/ice situation on window peak was bad, at least he'd get to see the window. so we left my car at sabino and cooked over to ventana to start hiking on a perfect morning. a little brisk to start we were sweating bullets within 20 minutes. the yeti liked what he saw in rugged lower ventana, then we entered the middle to upper reaches...it got cold within one single breeze and we layered up and began the hot/cold game for the next few hours.

as we hit the ridge we were treated to a beautiful snowy wonderland with the major peaks of pusch ridge and lemmon covered in a light blanket of snow...ahh my favorite place in the catalinas (the segments of pima, finger and esperero connecting on the pusch ridge line). we followed the tracks of some determined little mammal along the increasingly snowy trail (north facing in the shade) until we arrived at the gloriously snowy and icy window. the yeti roared his approval.

we decided it looked reasonable to go for window peak and the traverse and made our way up the snowy west slopes of window peak. once we countoured around to the south and got in the sun, the snow and ice cleared up. we hit window saddle and had lunch. scoping out the short route to the summit, it looked pretty clear so we scrambled up to the summit rocks of window peak for my favorite catalina summit and view.

back down we continued down esperero, hitting some significant snow on the northeast slopes of window peak again. from the saddle it was smooth sailing down the long and scenic esperero canyon trail.

what a perfect day on one of my favorite catalina hikes. good times, yeti my boy :y:

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Mar 12 2011

walkalot

Photos 28
Triplogs 36

63 male

Joined Dec 05 2010
tucosn, az

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Mar 12 2011
		walkalot • Triplogs 36

Hiking	15.30 Miles	4,863 AEG

Hiking	15.30 Miles	9 Hrs	1.70 mph
	4,863 ft AEG

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We did this hike from Sabino to Ventana with a car at each end.

Esperero gets real steep past 'bridal veil falls'. Very little water in any of the drainages, but bridal veil falls were trickling and so were the maiden pools. Still some patches of snow left below the north facing vertical faces, above 6500'.

We both had sore feet (blisters & hot spots) after 12 miles. Once we got off the steep grade below maiden pools, Mary turned on the gas. As we boogied, the conversation was mostly about food and beer during the last 2 miles.

Changed into sandals and went directly to Risky Biz for Burgers & beer. I got home, showered and enjoyed an imperial IPA (medicinal purposes of course) before crawling into bed for 10 hours of sleep!

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Mar 02 2011

sirena

Guides 2
Routes 4
Photos 3,873
Triplogs 362

51 female

Joined Feb 12 2008
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Backpack		Mar 02 2011
		sirena • Triplogs 362

Backpack	17.50 Miles	5,054 AEG

Backpack	17.50 Miles	2 Days
	5,054 ft AEG

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Dropped a car at Sabino Canyon and hiked up Ventana. Plenty of water in the creek but I still carried a bunch for weight because I am training for the Grand Canyon. This was my first backpack of the year and it's interesting to see what muscles need to be built up before I head to the GC. Spent the night on the ridge before the Window. Great views in the morning of the Supes and Weaver's Needle. To the south the sky islands rose up out of the haze. Visited the Window and took the requisite photos. There was still snow and a little ice on the north-facing slopes and I was glad I brought my Microspikes for a couple tricky areas. One of my favorite parts of the whole day was the high saddle between Window Peak and Cathedral Rock. What views! The descent on the Esperero Trail seemed to take forever. I took a break at Bridal Veil Falls, which had a small trickle, and then it was more descending and descending on the Esperero Trail. There were some interesting rock spires on one part of the trail. Saw only one other hiker near Cardiac Gap. The best part of the Esperero Trail is looking back from the start of the trail waaaay back at where you came from.

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Feb 28 2011

keepmoving

Guides 34
Routes 249
Photos 2,197
Triplogs 592

38 male

Joined Aug 16 2006
Portland, OR

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2011
		keepmoving • Triplogs 592

Hiking	15.60 Miles	4,863 AEG

Hiking	15.60 Miles	8 Hrs 40 Mns	1.80 mph
	4,863 ft AEG

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