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| | | Phoenix Sonoran Preserve S - Vista and Union, AZ | | | |
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Phoenix Sonoran Preserve S - Vista and Union, AZ
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| Hiking | 10.07 Miles |
1,685 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.07 Miles | 3 Hrs 54 Mns | | 2.81 mph |
| 1,685 ft AEG | 19 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Initially the weather, mostly the temperature, didn't look promising. Fortunately the weather was nearly perfect by the time we started hiking as the sun came out  . Peak Day for Kelly. I got two of the three, did one I don't like that much and one I liked. We went clockwise after getting to the top of Hawk's Nest. We saw only one person on this part of the hike.
We headed up Western Vista; I hate the first part of the ascent as it is steep and unforgiving. Once you get up to the tree, it's just fine. We checked out the views in all directions which were pretty clear except the mountains in the south. I was surprised at the size of the walls on the new TSMC plant. There is still a very large crane their among others. It's been fun watching that plant grow.
Heading over to the east side we saw two other hikers and that would be it until we hit the base of Dixie. Here I opted to find a comfortable rock while Kelly rocked up the mountain. I wanted to save my energy for Union. We would see no other hikers until the junction with Hawks Nest. So we headed down Valle and the long approach to Union. We did stop to observe the backlit cholla and the green golf-course looking grass.
And now for that last mile before the Union Peak climb. It wasn't too bad except that last stinkin' hill before the junction. And then follow the sign post instructions: "UP". I like the grade on this let alone the trail itself is pretty awesome. It also has a long ridgeline which Kelly always enjoys. I saw a couple little butterflies. That's the third time I've seen a butterfly couple out.
Still had a couple miles to go on our way back to the Trailhead finishing off on the Desert Tortoise Trail. It was so quiet today and really ideal hiking conditions. The trails are so nice out here. I get so spoiled. It was a very good workout as my legs definitely feel it as I sit here finishing off the report.
I forgot to fire up my watch to Hiking Mode but started it when it beeped me that it detected my automatic walking. And then I realized I forgot to charge it when it started rattling off final stats after we had come off Union so I switched to my phone for stats. I hadn't tried that before but it seems to have worked.
WATCH:
Walking 1:05-1:16PM, 32mi, 128bpm/157 max burning 48 calories. Temp 54.7 degrees, sunny with 30% humidity
Hiking 1:16-4:18PM, 7.04 mi, 1677-2340 feet, 140bpm/172 max. 54% Zone 5, 32% Zone 4, 10% Zone 3 burning 1301 calories
PHONE:
Hiking 4:18-5:01PM, 2.3 mi, 1628-1946 feet (179 ft elevation) but it doesn't break down BPM, burning 212 calories. However, it gives better weather stats: 57.1 sunny, 23% humidity, 5MPH wind at NW.320
TOTALS 9.66 mi, 1628-2340 feet, burned 2060 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 
in bloom along with one on the way! I had already been taking picutres of flora in its green stage. Popcorn flowers were starting to come out as well. And the Barrel Cactus were so fat and plump; they looked like little giants.
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. I did stop to catch a few more pics of the owl and pointed her out to some other hikers (David and Cheryl). They were pleased. They are new to the Valley from Cleveland OH. I told them to go to hikearizona.com for lots of other hiking options but meanwhile, gave them some other loop options in the area. There was a drone flying around as we continued back to the TH. 
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