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Toothaker Trail - Estrella Mtn RP - 15 members in 153 triplogs have rated this an average 3.1 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 8  Next
153 triplogs
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Jan 21 2026
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 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 21 2026
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking6.60 Miles 1,014 AEG
Hiking6.60 Miles   3 Hrs   18 Mns   2.41 mph
1,014 ft AEG      34 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Great hike with Nina this morning at EMRP. Did the Rainbow Valley loop counter clockwise from the Nature Center. Got my first scan of my new Maricopa County Parks Pass 2D barcode. There were a few other hikers out on the trails this morning. Didn't see any bikers.
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228882
Dec 21 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Valley Toothaker Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Valley Toothaker Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 21 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking7.80 Miles 1,190 AEG
Hiking7.80 Miles   3 Hrs   39 Mns   2.52 mph
1,190 ft AEG      33 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Did the Rainbow Valley / Toothaker loop from the Nature Center this morning with the Harem (Carey, Christina, and Dan). Saw a few hikers, a bunch of very polite mountain bikers, and 3 ladies on horses.
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228215
Dec 17 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Butterfield Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Butterfield Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Dec 17 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn12.40 Miles 1,388 AEG
Biking - Mtn12.40 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   6.76 mph
1,388 ft AEG      9 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Lunch ride today at EMRP. Started on Horseshoe out to Rainbow Valley counter clockwise to Toothaker, Gadsden, Butterfield back to Horseshoe and the parking lot. Saw two other bikers on Rainbow Valley traveling opposite my direction. The Rainbow Valley trailhead parking lot has been repaved and looks beautiful. New RV park is coming along. Rainbow Valley and Toothaker climbs are in rough shape. Gadsden is collecting sand west of Butterfield.
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228146
Dec 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Dec 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn15.70 Miles 697 AEG
Biking - Mtn15.70 Miles   2 Hrs   9 Mns   8.12 mph
697 ft AEG      13 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
Started from Estrella Foothills Community Park and jumped on some sandy 2 track out to the EMRP Iron Ranger, Crossover trail to Pedersen counter clockwise all the way round to the east side of Homestead, Homestead west back to Pedersen, north to Gadsden, east to Toothaker, back to Pedersen and Crossover trail back out of EMRP, then Park Ave back to Sunrise trail and the parking lot. Ran into one of my Estrella hiking groups returning to the parking lot from a Black Jack hike. Didn't see anyone else out on the trails.
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228101
Dec 03 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Dysart Toothaker Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Dysart Toothaker Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 03 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking6.70 Miles 870 AEG
Hiking6.70 Miles   2 Hrs   34 Mns   2.73 mph
870 ft AEG      7 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Led a hike for the Estrella Mountain Warriors hiking group this morning at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Only one taker, Christine, joined me for a counter clockwise loop from the Nature Center on Quail, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Toothaker, Connector to Baseline, Baseline, Saddle back down to Quail, and Quail to the Nature Center.

I asked at the ranger station upon entry why they were writing down annual pass numbers instead of just typing them into the computer. The attendant told me the park system migrated the pass system to a new platform which reassigned all pass holders a new ID. So, they have to write down your old number, then look it up and type in your new number. She wrote my new number on my pass, so it will save them a step on future visits. And, while speaking of Maricopa County annual passes, the county will vote Dec 10th on whether to raise the annual fee from $85 to $120. The new rate will take effect on Jan 1st.
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227838
Nov 17 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Nov 17 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn17.60 Miles 910 AEG
Biking - Mtn17.60 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   8.19 mph
910 ft AEG      21 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the weekend off and took the fat bike out to hit the EMRP sand loop. Started from Estrella Foothills Community Park and took the sandy 2 track out to the EMRP Iron Ranger. Then Crossover to Pedersen clockwise to Toothaker, Gadsden, Pedersen south to Homestead clockwise to Pedersen all the way around back to Crossover, Jolly Roger, Doubloon, Rum Runner, Park Ave, and Sunrise back to the Community Park. Cool 50 degree start to the ride. I was nursing a slow leak in the rear tire throughout the ride. Didn't see anyone out on the trails this morning.
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227486
Nov 05 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Dysart Baseline Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Dysart Baseline Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 05 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking7.60 Miles 901 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   2 Hrs   59 Mns   2.73 mph
901 ft AEG      12 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Another great hike on EMRP trails with the Warriors (Nina, Jennifer) this morning. Started at the Nature Center just as the November Beaver Supermoon was setting in the west, we did a counter clockwise loop on Quail, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Toothaker, Horseshoe, Baseline, and Saddle trails. Saw one biker, a trail runner, and a few other hikers.
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227205
Oct 29 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Valley Toothaker Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Valley Toothaker Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 29 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking8.40 Miles 1,190 AEG
Hiking8.40 Miles   3 Hrs   38 Mns   2.56 mph
1,190 ft AEG      21 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Great hike with the Estrella Warriors (Nina, Jennifer) on EMRP trails this morning. Surprise to see some folks in the entrance station this morning, new trainees, checking passes and collecting money. We started from the Nature Center for a windy hike up Quail trail, counter clockwise on Rainbow Valley to Toothaker, north back to Rainbow Valley to Baseline for a bit to Saddle back to the Nature Center. Saw a couple of other hikers and one biker.
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227010
Oct 04 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP RainToothGadFly Loop, AZ 
EMRP RainToothGadFly Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Oct 04 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn13.40 Miles 1,361 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.40 Miles   1 Hour   54 Mns   7.24 mph
1,361 ft AEG      3 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Decided I was in the mood for some climbing this morning and headed over to Estrella Mountain Regional Park. No attendant at the main entrance station when I entered before 8am. Campground is still under construction, so I parked at Navy and started on Horseshoe to Rainbow Valley, up and over the hill to Toothaker, headed south to Gadsden, East to Flycatcher over the hill and back on Gadsden to Butterfield north to Coldwater. Took Coldwater north to the end to check out the campground construction. Back around to Horseshoe and parking lot. Only saw one other biker, on Horseshoe, less than a mile from the lot. Plenty of hikers out and about, most notably the fellow all the way out on Flycatcher. Rainbow Valley and Toothaker hills have a lot of sedimentary gravel which makes climbing a challenge.
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226374
Sep 21 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Sep 21 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles 689 AEG
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   8.47 mph
689 ft AEG      5 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the fat bike over to Estrella Foothills Community Park this morning for a SandDay ride on EMRP PederSand loop. I don't know what's going on this summer, but all the trails seem like they're getting much sandier than in the past. That's not bad news for a guy with a fat tire bike. Started from the community park on the sandy 2 track fenceline road over to the EMRP Iron Ranger and then Crossover trail to Pedersen, counter-clockwise around to Homestead, eastward back to Pedersen, Gadsden west to Toothaker, a couple of tire rotations back on Pedersen to Crossover, Iron Ranger, then Park Ave back to Sunrise and the community park. Saw about 10 bikers in the park, far more than usual. Great cloud cover kept the sun off my back. I was a little nervous that I would get rained on, but, no rain.
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226080
Aug 17 2025
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 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ 
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Aug 17 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn13.30 Miles 876 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.30 Miles   2 Hrs   20 Mns   8.77 mph
876 ft AEG      49 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Been a while since I got to ride with the Bagel Bunch. Today 8 of us set off from Estrella Foothills Community Park on Pirate trails Park Ave over to the EMRP Iron Ranger, into the park on Crossover, Pedersen to Toothaker, briefly on Gadsden, north on Coldwater, west on Dysart, a bit on Rainbow Valley, back over to the Pirate trails, Pirate's Cove, Black Jack, Jumpline, and Sunrise back to the Community Park. We had a tire that refused to hold air until we put a tube in it, a broken off pedal, and a big crash on the Jumpline trail. 100% of the starting riders finished today :) Wow, it was humid and hot in the sun. Saw a couple of hikers in EMRP.
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225369
Jun 25 2025
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 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Homestead Pedersen, AZ 
EMRP Homestead Pedersen, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jun 25 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn15.40 Miles 824 AEG
Biking - Mtn15.40 Miles   2 Hrs   8 Mns   8.11 mph
824 ft AEG      14 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Beautiful morning for a mountain bike ride. Reprised my aborted ride from last week. Started from Estrella Foothills Community Park and took Park Ave over to the EMRP Iron Ranger. Crossover to Pedersen counter clockwise to Homestead, back on Pedersen, Gadsden, Toothaker, Pedersen, Crossover, and Park Ave back to the parking lot. Did a little exploring while I was out. Saw one woman in the parking lot with two giant poodles. No one else out on the trails.
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224309
May 20 2025
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
E M R P, AZ 
E M R P, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking15.73 Miles 1,698 AEG
Hiking15.73 Miles   4 Hrs   34 Mns   3.59 mph
1,698 ft AEG      11 Mns Break
no photosets
Some feelings of oppression on the back nine. The heat and insufficient water does that, but the sandy section of Gadsden is such a buzz kill. Really the only enjoyable parts were the passes along the Rainbow Valley and Toothaker Trails. The rest was just MEH. Probably would be more fun on a mountain bike.
  10 archives
223532
Apr 16 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Apr 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn13.90 Miles 1,489 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.90 Miles   3 Hrs      7.51 mph
1,489 ft AEG   1 Hour   9 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
No plan ride this morning and ended up at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Parked the van someplace different taking advantage of the shade under the trees amongst the picnic tables along Casey Abbott drive behind the Nature Center. Started with a climb up Quail, Saddle, and Baseline to Rainbow Valley. Met a fellow who was agreeable to partnering up at the Dysart/Rainbow Valley intersection. So, Dan on his Stumpjumper and me on my Trance continued south on Rainbow Valley up the long, arduous climb to the Rainbow Valley high point and drop down to Toothaker. From there, north on Toothaker, Dysart east to Butterfield, south to Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield north, Toothaker, Rainbow Valley, and finally, back on Quail. Had some good breaks chatting with Dan. It sure was a nice day to make a new friend on the trails.
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222732
Apr 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking4.10 Miles 573 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   2.67 mph
573 ft AEG      21 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Joined the Estrella Trailblazers (Fred, Nina, Carol, Kim) for a great little loop in EMRP this morning. Saw a couple of bikers and some hikers, one of which seemed to be in a grumpy mood. Too bad for her!
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222712
Mar 27 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Baseline Plus, AZ 
EMRP Baseline Plus, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 27 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking4.20 Miles 665 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   2 Hrs   3 Mns   2.38 mph
665 ft AEG      17 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Joined the Estrella Trailblazers for a hike on Estrella Mountain Regional Park trails this morning. The 9 of us started from the Nature Center then climbed Quail trail to Saddle, Baseline clockwise, bonus round the mountain loop, Toothaker over to the rodeo grounds to check out the construction progress, Rainbow Valley, Connector back to Saddle, Quail back to the Nature Center. Saw a couple of families and a girl with a cute hoo hoo poker-a-poo (I think that's what they're called)
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222278
Mar 26 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Pedersen Loop, AZ 
EMRP Pedersen Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 26 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn18.20 Miles 1,297 AEG
Biking - Mtn18.20 Miles   2 Hrs   14 Mns   8.60 mph
1,297 ft AEG      7 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the fat bike over to EMRP this morning to go deep into the park and hit some of that sweet Pedersen sand. Started from the Navy south parking area under a nice canopy of clouds and hit Horseshoe, Toothaker, Butterfield, Gadsden, Pedersen (clockwise), Toothaker (south), Gadsden (east), Coldwater, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe. First time going all the way down the Pedersen sand shoot. I was able to keep up great speed, but the washboard nearly ripped my arms off on the full rigid fat bike. Stopped to chat a bit with two pairs of mountain bikers. Had to get around 2 hikers who couldn't hear me calling to them over their ear buds, gosh.
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222262
Mar 16 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Gadsden Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn15.00 Miles 1,172 AEG
Biking - Mtn15.00 Miles   1 Hour   51 Mns   8.18 mph
1,172 ft AEG      1 Min Break8 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
I've ridden parts of Gadsden trail so many times, but never the whole trail, end to end, in one go. Took the fat bike over to EMRP to do just that today. To my surprise, actually found a line of cars waiting to get past the entrance station. The rodeo grounds are closed for the next 2 years so I parked at my next favorite spot, Navy South. Crossed Casey Abbott road and took Horseshoe trail over to Toothaker for a few feet, the clockwise on Buttterfield to Gadsden, Pedersen, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe to the parking lot. It was a bit windy on Butterfield and Gadsden. I thought going downhill at the sandy south end of Gadsden would be better than my normal up direction, but the hoofed out sand really beat me up. The south end of Toothaker is starting to look back again, it's good from Rainbow Valley north. Saw 2 horseback riders on Butterfield. There's a section of the parking area right at Horseshoe trailhead that's roped off for horse trailer parking. Lots of hikers out on the trails, mostly close to Horseshoe. Saw 2 or 3 bikers.
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222032
Mar 08 2025
avatar

 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 08 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles 797 AEG
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles   1 Hour   56 Mns   9.66 mph
797 ft AEG      16 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Couldn't believe that it rained all day yesterday! I had to go ride the sandy EMRP trails! Started from Estrella Foothills Community Park and took the two track fenceline trail over to the EMRP Iron Ranger. Crossover trail then clockwise loop on Pedersen, Homestead, Gadsden, Toothaker, Pedersen, Crossover, and Park Ave back to the community park. Saw some hikers and bikers at the beginning and end of the ride, but no one else out in sandland. Warm sun, cool breeze, and rain soaked sand! NO DUST! Yeah! I was so happy!
_____________________
 
221834
Mar 06 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Toothaker Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 06 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking9.68 Miles 1,442 AEG
Hiking9.68 Miles   2 Hrs   35 Mns   3.75 mph
1,442 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I’m thinking of changing my screen name to the HypnochondriacHiker. It’s always something. When I get home the first thing my wife asks is “what was it today?” Sigh.

Early morning hike in the Estrellas. Got there at 6am as the gates opened and was informed that half the trailheads are going to be closed for the next 2 years! Both the Coldwater and Rainbow Valley/Toothacher trailheads will be closed so that the park can add 50 campsites where the arena and dirt lot use to exist. The Quail and Gila trailheads still exist and allow access to all the trails you just have to do some preliminary hiking to get to the interior trails.

Parked at the Gila TH and took the Gila and Baseline to get to the beginning of the Toothacher. Took the Toothacher back to the Gadsden and then returned the way I came. Got a little gimpy towards the end, but I made it back. Great weather for a hike. Cloudy with a steady breeze. Despite the smell of rain I just got a few sprinkles. Encountered 5 hikers. Wildlife amounted to a handful of Quail. Not sure how often I’ll be out here. Not a big fan of having to hike in to get to some of the better trails. This closure will add about 2 miles for any trails in the interior.
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221793
average hiking speed 2.57 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 8  Next

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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