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Gila Trail - South Mountain - 22 members in 257 triplogs have rated this an average 2.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 13  Next
257 triplogs
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Jan 11 2026
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,787

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Pyramid Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 11 2026
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,787
 Hiking6.27 Miles 1,350 AEG
 Hiking6.27 Miles   1 Hour   55 Mns   3.27 mph
1,350 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
up and back on pyramid
late morning start time
breezy, nice temps
crossed paths with jj on his way down
don't feel like i'm in very good shape lately, so was happy to hit the post under an hour
only one way to fix that
_____________________
hazhole
  1 archive
Jan 10 2026
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 5,082
 Triplogs 4,227

50 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
South Mountain, AZ 
South Mountain, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 10 2026
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,227
Hiking16.25 Miles 4,154 AEG
Hiking16.25 Miles   4 Hrs   53 Mns   3.53 mph
4,154 ft AEG      17 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Big Loop at south mountain. the wind for the first half was horrendous then it calmed down. great route and fun day out there seeing a bunch of new stuff
_____________________
hi
 
Jan 08 2026
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 08 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking3.80 Miles 805 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   2.81 mph
805 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Parked at Bursera trailhead and headed west on Gila. Tons of poppies on the east side of the saddle. Just before the saddle, Wyatt called to tell me he was sick and needing to leave school. Ugh, my planned 8 miles just got a lot shorter. At the saddle, I took the connector up to Bursera, west on Bursera, then down Bursera Canyon to complete a short loop. Nice temps and clouds, but too sunny by the finish.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jan 06 2026
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lost - Gila loop, AZ 
Lost - Gila loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 06 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking7.91 Miles 1,813 AEG
Hiking7.91 Miles   3 Hrs   4 Mns   2.64 mph
1,813 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Nice morning for a workout hike now that winter break is over for both kids. Headed up Lost Ranch Mine. At National, made a quick stop on 2484, then headed east. Side trip to Goat Hill. New graffiti up there. The big boulder that fell on Natl a few months ago has now been fully pushed off the trail. Came down Gila/Pyramid.

Tried out a new pair of Mount to Coast T1 trail runners. I liked them quite a bit—comfortable, light, good grip. If the durability is good, they’ll become part of the frequent rotation.

Was supposed to be cloudy? I saw way too much sunlight. At least it was reasonably cool.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Dec 31 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 228
 Photos 1,296
 Triplogs 215

male
 Joined Mar 14 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Gila Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 31 2025
astrobrewerTriplogs 215
Hiking4.01 Miles 660 AEG
Hiking4.01 Miles   2 Hrs   19 Mns   2.02 mph
660 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Brought wife out to see poppies. Up to the saddle and back again.
_____________________
 
Dec 30 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 228
 Photos 1,296
 Triplogs 215

male
 Joined Mar 14 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Gila Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2025
astrobrewerTriplogs 215
Hiking3.29 Miles 469 AEG
Hiking3.29 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   2.19 mph
469 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Short hike with my wife to show her the poppies on bloom that I saw earlier in the day hiking alone.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation None
Poppies!
_____________________
 
Dec 28 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 228
 Photos 1,296
 Triplogs 215

male
 Joined Mar 14 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 28 2025
astrobrewerTriplogs 215
Hiking7.11 Miles 1,518 AEG
Hiking7.11 Miles   2 Hrs   59 Mns   2.48 mph
1,518 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
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First hike since before Thanksgiving due to holiday busyness and houseguests. Got a late start because I was feeling a little under the weather, but was determined to hike. Started on Bursera Canyon Trail because it's been ages since I last hiked that trail. There were lots of purple scorpion weed flowers and rock daisies blooming. At the junction with Bursera Trail I headed downhill towards the west.

On the north-facing slopes there were yellow poppies in bloom. Lots of them. Entire hillsides were covered with bright yellow flowers. Absolutely beautiful and unexpected. The north-facing slopes were very lush and green and the bright yellow flowers really popped.

At the bottom of the hill I took the Gila Trail to the National Trail to the Bursera Trail, and then to the Gila Trail heading eastward. More poppies on bloom on the north-facing slopes below Bursera Trail on the downhill section of Gila.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Poppies on bloom on north-facing slopes. Purple scorpion weed and rock daisies also blooming.
_____________________
 
Dec 23 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lost - Gila loop, AZ 
Lost - Gila loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 23 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking7.76 Miles 1,750 AEG
Hiking7.76 Miles   3 Hrs   14 Mns   2.53 mph
1,750 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Got started mid-afternoon. Warm. Up Lost Ranch Mine. Some of the recent rockfall/erosion has been cleaned up. Now the trail is its normal level of steep and rocky.

East on National. Gross air. Goat Hill. Nice breeze with clouds moving in. Came off the east side of the Goat Hill summit. Way too overgrown, spent some time picking sharp vegetation out of my socks. Down Pyramid/Gila. A few raindrops in the final half mile and on the drive home. Good workout.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  1 archive
Dec 18 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Lost loop, AZ 
Gila - Lost loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 18 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking11.64 Miles 2,680 AEG
Hiking11.64 Miles   5 Hrs   7 Mns   2.30 mph
2,680 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Got started around 0745. Up Pyramid/Gila. East on National to the highpoint of the trail below the towers. Headed back west on Natl, then came down Lost Mine. Warm. Gross air. Good to get some double digit mileage.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Brittlebush, poppies, scorpionweed, globemallow, creosote.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Dec 08 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 08 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking7.12 Miles 1,436 AEG
Hiking7.12 Miles   2 Hrs   38 Mns   2.74 mph
1,436 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Partners partners
danielac
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Met up with Daniela at the Bursera trailhead and got started around 0750. West on Gila to its end, east on National, east on Bursera, finished on Bursera Canyon.

Comfortable temps in the shade, warm in the sun. Not many other hikers out. Good workout.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Lots of poppies along Gila, just west of Lost Ranch. Some also along Bursera. Random scorpionweed. Brittlebush.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 19 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 228
 Photos 1,296
 Triplogs 215

male
 Joined Mar 14 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Gila Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2025
astrobrewerTriplogs 215
Hiking12.67 Miles 4,204 AEG
Hiking12.67 Miles   4 Hrs   44 Mns   2.75 mph
4,204 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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I decided to hike the Gila Trail end-to-end. It's not that easy since neither end of the Gila Trail is near a trailhead.

I started at the Bursera trailhead and took Bursera trail to the end where it meets up with the National Trail. I then took National west to the Western end of Gila Trail. It was 4 miles just to get to the west end of Gila to "start" the hike.

Relatively easy hiking to the bottom of the old Pyramid Trail hill. It was already noon and hot. I considered turning around, but decided to stick to my original goal and hiked on up despite the heat. Once on top there was and intermittent light breeze that helped.

I finally reached the eastern end of Gila where it meets National Trail and completed my goal. Yay! I had hiked just over 9 miles. I thought about taking National to Prospector's Loop back, but it was hot and my legs were tired and that would have added another mile so I went back on Gila (Pyramid).

There were only a few Sphinx moth caterpillars this time. Last weekend they were everywhere. The few I saw were nearly all black and some were trying to burrow in the dirt. Last weekend most were green or yellow and many were eating plants. I am guessing that they start out green or yellow and need to eat, then they turn black and burrow into the ground to turn into moths.

A nice hike and a good workout. When the weather cools down I will do this again and return via Prospectors Loop.
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  2 archives
Oct 13 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lost - Gila loop, AZ 
Lost - Gila loop, AZ
 
 Hiking avatar Oct 13 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
 Hiking7.65 Miles 1,627 AEG
 Hiking7.65 Miles   3 Hrs   28 Mns   2.28 mph
1,627 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Workout hike. Lost Ranch Mine has some moderate erosion, mostly on the lower half. Obvious flooding in the wash. East on National, with a stop at Goat Hill. One boulder rolled down onto the trail, forcing you to scoot around it. Came down Pyramid/Gila, which also had some erosion. Lots of those gross caterpillars. Very humid. Nice breeze at times.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Goat Hill Cocktus
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 05 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lost - Gila loop, AZ 
Lost - Gila loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking7.65 Miles 1,635 AEG
Hiking7.65 Miles   3 Hrs   20 Mns   2.34 mph
1,635 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
One of my usual workout loops. Got started around 0715. Very muggy. Very little breeze. Headed up Lost Ranch Mine, which has occasional shade. Most of the time, I didn’t know if I was crying from the misery, or if it was just sweat pouring down my face. Muddy in a few places.

Went up to Goat Hill, but the summit was swarmed by thousands of flying ant looking bugs. Turned around immediately. Continued east on National, then down Gila/Pyramid. Crossed paths with JJ near the top of Pyramid. Had a few patches of shade from clouds on the descent, which was quite nice.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 02 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 02 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking7.02 Miles 1,364 AEG
Hiking7.02 Miles   2 Hrs   57 Mns   2.42 mph
1,364 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
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Unfortunately, I’m back in AZ for a couple of weeks. I don’t like warm temps. I don’t like the high overhead angle of the sun. I don’t like cactus or thorns. I don’t like brown or dusty dirt. I don’t like arid climates. So I decided to go do a hike in all of those things.

Started around 0515 and headed west on Gila. Back east on National and Bursera. Finished up on Bursera Canyon. Only saw one other person. Heard some owls.
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunrise
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  1 archive
Sep 01 2025
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 Guides 264
 Routes 2,842
 Photos 14,737
 Triplogs 5,941

male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Telegraph - Prospector Lasso Loop, AZ 
Telegraph - Prospector Lasso Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2025
joebartelsTriplogs 5,941
Hiking9.36 Miles 2,712 AEG
Hiking9.36 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.52 mph
2,712 ft AEG      19 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Pin cushion cacti are blooming in force.

Cool breezes on the ridges were incredible. Yards away from the ridges were sauna-esque.

Live ocotillo and bursera have responded vibrantly to recent rains. The dead ocotillo is now easily distinguishable. The trails here are covered with gravel-sized rock debris after every rain; the mountain is slowly eroding.

A few more out for the holiday, but not much more due to the temps. A young couple mountain biking up Pyramid was remarkable for the weather; they were two-thirds up. Nice pricey bikes, and she was in good spirits but lagging as he crawled ahead.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Pin cushion cacti galore
_____________________
- joe
 
Aug 27 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 15
 Photos 7,285
 Triplogs 5,247

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Gila Gila, AZ 
Gila Gila, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2025
johnlpTriplogs 5,247
Hiking11.70 Miles 2,477 AEG
Hiking11.70 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   3.39 mph
2,477 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
Early start. Moist. Quite a bit of erosion on the National trail from recent storms. Some green starting to show! :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Aug 10 2025
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 Guides 264
 Routes 2,842
 Photos 14,737
 Triplogs 5,941

male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Telegraph - Bursera Holbert Lasso Loop, AZ 
Telegraph - Bursera Holbert Lasso Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 10 2025
joebartelsTriplogs 5,941
Hiking20.28 Miles 4,525 AEG
Hiking20.28 Miles   9 Hrs   23 Mns   2.44 mph
4,525 ft AEG   1 Hour   5 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Prehydrated: 38 oz
Carried: 174 oz (124 frozen)

When I arrived, a large group of about 16-24 people was getting ready to head out. I thought they were runners, later realized they were mixed ages and backgrounds. I started a half furlong behind them. I passed them and then never saw them again, concentrating on transitioning from Grillz to My Way. Guessing they turned on Desert Classic.

This was my first time on the west side of Bursera. More people out here than expected. Teenage girl, three guys (Kurt Sedler types), then two guys who could be star quarterbacks or excellent car salesmen. The geology is more reminiscent of Estrella/Piestewa.

This is one of those rare hikes where you're hiking away from looking at the sun or without staring at the sun on the drive, either.

The West end of Gila is undoubtedly loved by no one. It skirts the bajada, dipping in and out of a few ravines. Whereas the Bursera across the ravine has nicer alluvial geology to glide over.

The steepest grade on Prospector was in full sun, but I got a nice breeze.

Generally, I avoid Goat Hill, since it's illegal. The pre-planned hike was under 20 mi and under 5K. So I figured I'd hit a few little peaks along the way.

Two rangers at the bottom of the Ranger Trail with a funky couple behind me. Luckily, I'd recently tackled these nondescript multi-use trails scattered about the actual trail and sailed through.

I needed to rearrange a lot of water bottles and such, so I thought it'd be a good opportunity to tackle a sliver of Judith Tunell Interpretive Trail and utilize the Ramada for a few minutes. Whoo doggy, the rubberized grate bench in the shade was comfy. What are the chances two families came off-trail directly down the hill and stopped at the Ramada... lol C'est la vie, probably best to keep moving anyway.

Dec 23rd 2024, KingLeonidas posted a clue via RS where the temporary or new trail routes. It worked out great. Just be sure to verify which days are legal, cuz I'm no angel. From previous hikes, I had a lunch spot in mind. Only partially shady, but it worked out. I ate half of a dry WinCo ham and cheese on a pretzel hoagie, cuz there needs to be something other than water and electrolytes in the mix.

Realized I only had 36 oz of water left. So I nixed two side trips to push it over 5K in favor of life. Since it was later in the day vs recent previous trips, a few more shade options were opening up. I took a 6-minute break at one, but just wanted to finish the hike.

40 oz more water would have been better, but it all worked out.

Android stats in airplane mode start to finish, 2,983 points, used 25% battery.
iPhone 20.15 mi / 4483 AEG | 3,228 points, never in airplane mode, used 35% battery.
2 bug fixes for RS 7.2.4 in dev worked, perhaps out in a few days.
_____________________
- joe
 
Aug 07 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,381
 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,732

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 07 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,732
Hiking5.07 Miles 1,130 AEG
Hiking5.07 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   2.30 mph
1,130 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
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Tortoise_Hiker
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My truck said it was 97 degrees at the trailhead at 0515. Denny was super excited to hike in the heat. At least it was breezy. Shade all the way up Gila/Pyramid. We had originally planned to turn around at the “top”, but opted to walk an extra half mile along the ridge before turning around. The breeze helped a lot. A few clouds Saw a handful of other hikers. Finished up around 0730. My truck said it was 102 on the drive back to my house. Good to see Denny again!
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Aug 07 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 149
 Photos 10,107
 Triplogs 3,756

64 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Gila Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 07 2025
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,756
Hiking5.07 Miles 1,130 AEG
Hiking5.07 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   2.30 mph
1,130 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
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LindaAnn
Linda and I hit the trail around 5:15. Half hour before sunrise and 97 out. No sun then shade then clouds and a breeze. Linda set this up pretty well. :lol: Hadn't done 1000 aeg in awhile or hike with Linda so I was glad to get this one in! Trail was in the usual shape. Handful of hikers out and all seemed friendly.
Early start is the way to go!! :y: Thanks for the hike Linda! Like HAZ, you rock!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Aug 07 2025
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 Guides 264
 Routes 2,842
 Photos 14,737
 Triplogs 5,941

male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Telegraph - Bursera Short Lasso Loop, AZ 
Telegraph - Bursera Short Lasso Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 07 2025
joebartelsTriplogs 5,941
Hiking11.52 Miles 2,813 AEG
Hiking11.52 Miles   5 Hrs   14 Mns   2.43 mph
2,813 ft AEG      29 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
It was supposed to be warmer today, but that fizzled out. Gusty winds for the first three miles.

It's easier to drink from water bottles, yet too cumbersome without a pack. So I ditched the water bladder and the hot hose.

Bursera was new for me. The whole southwest corner of South Mountain is better than I ever gave credit. It's a series of ridges, which are a bazillion times more exciting than anything flat.

Prehydrated 40 oz on the drive over, then consumed 107 out of 108 oz carried. When I did five laps on Piestewa several times in August, I would consume 24 to 48 oz between laps and carry 24 oz on each lap.

Stats are RS Android airplane mode start to finish because it's the only way to force the GPS radio. Carried in the upper back portion of my pack. Used 15% battery, 1697 points.
iPhone RS 11.43 mi / 2,785 AEG, Used 23% battery not in airplane mode, 1,829 points.
_____________________
- joe
 
average hiking speed 2.44 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 13  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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