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| | | Tortoise Valle Dixie Bobcat Hawks, AZ | | | |
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Tortoise Valle Dixie Bobcat Hawks, AZ
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| Hiking | 8.72 Miles |
1,257 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.72 Miles | 2 Hrs 54 Mns | | 3.11 mph |
| 1,257 ft AEG | 6 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | What better way to start the new year then finishing off all the trails of the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve South (had trouble deciding which then to use, time vs comparison so went with time). I just had one trail left: Bobcat. I had a delayed start as the neighbors were out talking and I had to see what they were talking about which led to conversation about the upcoming HOA voting.
Anyway, I put on my warmer shirt as it was still only in the low 60s according to Alexa. I started on the Desert Tortoise, passed by a female hiker and then had the trail to myself until toward the top of the Valle Vista. I hung a right, north, and felt good enough to even hit Dixie Peak. I just love it when I actually complete a plan and don't come up with an excuse to avoid a peak, ha! I am having trouble with my right leg again; it wants to give out.
I got up the somewhat shaded side of Dixie Peak, it's a short little climb with these cutesy little switchbacks. The summit itself is really pretty small. I did happen to notice the benchmark so got a picture for @FLYING_FLIVER as it's not a picture I normally take but happen to think of him. It looks like someone has scratched it up so that's unfortunate. The views were mostly clear altho there was a slight haze in the far south and west distances.
I headed back down to the Dixie Mountain Loop where I would encounter only two more hikers for the next several miles. Part of the trail on this north side was in shade. I came upon the Bobcat and hung a right, north, for my new adventure out here. The rain has caused the ground cover to turn bright green in this area. I felt quite alone, it was quiet, at least until 1/2 mile in when I encountered a bike rider. I tried to figure out where the trail terminus/beginning was; ended up being more to the west, almost directly across from the new plant construction on the west side of I-17 as I could see the cranes for a short bit. It is a very slight downhill.
On the way back on Bobcat I encountered another bike rider and the hiker I had passed on the Desert Tortoise Trail, still looking at her phone. As I continued south back on the Dixie Mountain Loop, the shade would engulf the trail from time to time so it was on/off with the sunglasses. The chollas were aglow so yes, I stopped for a couple photos. One of these times, I am going to walk through that and NOT take a picture; I know I can do it. I saw about 1/2 dozen hikers between here and the Hawk's Nest Trail.
I was tempted to go back via Valle and Tortoise but I had a beer waiting and with the later start, I didn't want to be too late so I just walked to the next post and came back and down Hawks Nest. I was also getting a little hungry. But I have no doubt I could have done those last 2-2 1/2 miles; I just needed a little more time on the clock. I continue to kick lots of rocks off the trail and am getting quite good at it. Well Happy New Year everyone, let's make it a good year!
WATCH: 8.74 miles (heh, that's never happened before - the watch gave me more miles!) . Starting temp 62.5 with 26% humidity finishing at 4:59PM. High point 2330, low 1618. Avg bpm 135, max 164 (13% at Zone 4 anaerobic, 45% aerobic, 42% Zone 2 burning 1207 calories) |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. I was out there when it hit 115 and I have to admit it felt pretty toasty. Had the trails to myself, but there was one other car at the TH when I left. No wildlife.
. I have NEVER seen that before. Kudos, sir.
There were no hiking trails but there were a few old mining/prospecting tracks 
).
