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Bees Knees Loop - 17 members in 69 triplogs have rated this an average 3.4 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4  Next
69 triplogs
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Mar 22 2025
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Camp LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 22 2025
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking10.85 Miles 2,509 AEG
Hiking10.85 Miles   5 Hrs   28 Mns   2.00 mph
2,509 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I haven't done the Prospector Loop, Lost Ranch or Gila Trails in 14 years (back when one was called Bees Knees). once I found the new trailhead, I started on the Bursera to the Gila, then up Lost Ranch, down the west trail of the Prospector Loop, then immediately back up the east trail of the Prospector Loop, then west on the National Trail and took the Gila Trail back to the trailhead.

The two ascents early on made for a nice workout. On the way up Lost Ranch it was starting to feel hot already, but then up on the National the breezes cooled me off very quickly. Taking the east part of the Prospector loop gave me a little more shade with the sun still kind of low. By the time I was done, it was getting a little warm.

Lots of prospects and abandoned mine shafts along the way. I discovered a new one that looks pretty dangerous. It's still cool to see these, but I'm always surprised there aren't more injuries from curious hikers.

Only saw a few people on those steep trail, most were on the National or Gila. the last mile before the trailhead had the most foot traffic. This one took a little longer with the elevation gain, but made for a nice workout hike.
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Jan 04 2025
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 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking7.71 Miles 1,889 AEG
Hiking7.71 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   2.40 mph
1,889 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Slight variation of Bees Knees Loop. Got the last parking space in the lot at about 0730. West on Bursera Canyon and up to Bursera. West on Bursera and then Gila.

Noticed a recently abandoned transient camp near the Gila/National junction. Texted the coordinates to a ranger for cleanup. East on National. Side trip over 2484. Down Lost Mine.

Cooler than yesterday, but still warmer than I like. Lots of people out, as expected.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jun 10 2024
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 10 2024
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
Hiking7.59 Miles 1,964 AEG
Hiking7.59 Miles   2 Hrs   22 Mns   3.21 mph
1,964 ft AEG
 
no photosets
 
Mar 11 2024
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 11 2024
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking6.86 Miles 1,498 AEG
Hiking6.86 Miles   3 Hrs   4 Mns   2.24 mph
1,498 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Not too crowd. I'm struggling to get my groove back. Jetlag from traveling depleted my stamina.
_____________________
 
Jan 14 2024
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 14 2024
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking7.41 Miles 2,237 AEG
Hiking7.41 Miles   2 Hrs   40 Mns   2.78 mph
2,237 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Chilly morning. My time was better than excepted because I was texting often going down the Gila.
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Nov 27 2023
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 27 2023
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking8.02 Miles 2,237 AEG
Hiking8.02 Miles   3 Hrs   6 Mns   2.60 mph
2,237 ft AEG      1 Min Break3 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Saw @johnlp. Need to hike locally for now but am itching to do something different.
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May 21 2023
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 21 2023
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking8.00 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   3.20 mph
2,100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Early morning hike out in SoMo. Did the Bees Knees going in clockwise direction. First Bursera. Good incline, nice for running if you are so inclined. Little rocky on the back end. A lot of pull outs as you make the climb providing views to the south. Next on to the National. Some of the more remote sections in SoMo park. Rough climbs in this stretch: rocky and steep. Flatter sections are enjoyable and engage nicely with the landscape. Went down on Lost Ranch Mine Trail (west segment of Prospectors Loop). Rough trail…going down or up, (almost prefer going up this trail). Very steep with almost let up, rough on the toes. Still had some morning shade which was nice. Took Lost Ranch Trail back to the TH. Nice loop, with minimal traffic. Wildlife consisted of rabbits and quail.
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Mar 02 2023
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Goat Hill via National WestPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 02 2023
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
Hiking16.23 Miles 3,281 AEG
Hiking16.23 Miles   4 Hrs   59 Mns   3.44 mph
3,281 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hayes 4512 - Sierra Estrella
  2 archives
Jan 19 2023
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2023
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking7.39 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking7.39 Miles   2 Hrs   25 Mns   3.06 mph
2,100 ft AEG3 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After work hike. I felt sluggish by somehow did well.
_____________________
 
Jan 16 2023
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 16 2023
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking10.65 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking10.65 Miles   3 Hrs   45 Mns   2.93 mph
2,100 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Cold, windy, and rainy. It even rained sideways, but I toughed it out. I don't own any rain gear so I hiked without a shirt. I figured a shirt would make me colder when wet.

It was a nice hike, but you wouldn't know that. You all probably stayed home today because you're afraid of a little rain. You're on the couch right now eating chips and complaining about the price of eggs secretly wishing you were brave enough to hike in these conditions. Luckily you have me to set an example to up your game. 😁👍
_____________________
  1 archive
Jan 15 2023
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 15 2023
gummoTriplogs 323
 Hiking7.58 Miles 2,100 AEG
 Hiking7.58 Miles   3 Hrs   9 Mns   2.53 mph
2,100 ft AEG      9 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I performed my Sunday morning hike. The rain stopped soon after I started. A lot people stayed home because they're afraid of a little rain.
_____________________
  1 archive
Jan 08 2023
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 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 08 2023
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking7.41 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking7.41 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   3.00 mph
2,100 ft AEG      5 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Easy like Sunday morning. Average hike. I saw Linda. I'll watch football later.
_____________________
  1 archive
Aug 09 2022
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 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 09 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking6.79 Miles 1,758 AEG
Hiking6.79 Miles   3 Hrs   4 Mns   2.34 mph
1,758 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Variation of Bees Knees Loop. Got started around 0745 and headed over to Lost Mine. Cloudy, not too warm, but humid—drenched in sweat by the time I reached National. West on National, poking around the mines a bit since it was cooler than expected. Down Bursera, then Bursera Canyon to complete the loop. Only saw two other hikers, both on Bursera Canyon. Clouds the entire time, which was nice.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Mar 30 2022
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 30 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking6.51 Miles 1,666 AEG
Hiking6.51 Miles   2 Hrs   41 Mns   2.46 mph
1,666 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Needed a workout, but something fairly short. Up Bursera, where one lady decided her music needed to be loud enough for everyone in a quarter mile radius to hear. Felt warm on the second Bursera climb, but there was a breeze once I reached National. East on National, then I had to decide which Lost trail to descend. I opted to come down Ruins, making for a slightly shorter loop. Some vegetation was recently trimmed back from Ruins, but whoever did it left the cut branches on the trail. I tossed the larger ones off to the downhill side. The four new signposts in the wash now have “Lost Ranch” trail stickers. No stickers at the junction with Pyramid though. Very dry out there.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Mar 13 2022
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 13 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
Hiking7.62 Miles 1,980 AEG
Hiking7.62 Miles   2 Hrs   46 Mns   2.80 mph
1,980 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
no photosets
  3 archives
Feb 16 2022
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 16 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking7.27 Miles 1,863 AEG
Hiking7.27 Miles   2 Hrs   37 Mns   2.78 mph
1,863 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Cool, cloudy, and drizzly—I love it. Headed up Lost Mine, west on National, and then down Bursera. East on Gila to the saddle, then up in the connector to Bursera. West on Bursera, down Bursera Canyon, then back to the trailhead on the still unnamed lower Bursera trail. Tried to jog in all the easy parts. Only saw a couple of other hikers. Nice morning.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  1 archive
Jan 16 2022
avatar

 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 16 2022
gummoTriplogs 323
Hiking8.00 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   2 Hrs   38 Mns   3.04 mph
2,100 ft AEG5 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Pyramid to Kebo to National to Bursera to Pyramid then 🏈🏟️🦅🏴‍☠️.
_____________________
 
Jan 09 2022
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 09 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking7.50 Miles 1,943 AEG
Hiking7.50 Miles   3 Hrs   2 Mns   2.56 mph
1,943 ft AEG      6 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Tried to not dawdle as much today. Did the loop clockwise. Finished up before it got too busy.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 27 2021
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 27 2021
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking7.25 Miles 1,812 AEG
Hiking7.25 Miles   3 Hrs   6 Mns   2.38 mph
1,812 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Variation of the Bees Knees Loop. Up Bursera, dropped down to Gila to skip the part of Bursera I don’t really like, then back onto Bursera and up to National. East on National, then down Lost Ranch Mine. Not too warm, but could have used more of a breeze. Lots of grasshoppers and spiderwebs. Only a few people around the trailhead and beginning of Bursera; had the rest of the loop all to myself.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Aug 18 2021
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 18 2021
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking6.50 Miles 1,688 AEG
Hiking6.50 Miles   2 Hrs   53 Mns   2.28 mph
1,688 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Got started at 0800 and headed up Bursera. Nice breeze at times, but muggy when there wasn’t one. I was drenched from sweat within about ten minutes. Saw two bicyclists on Bursera, and nobody else. East on National which mostly had a good breeze, then down Ruins, which seemed to be in better shape, although that’s not saying much. Everything is very green, but there’s a lot of dodder mixed in. Saw zero other hikers today.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dodder
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
average hiking speed 2.54 mph
1, 2, 3, 4  Next

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