Sunrise Peak from 124th Lost Dog Trailhead • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

[ checklist ] Brittlebush Buckhorn cholla Emorys Rock Daisy Flat Top Buckwheat Ocotillo Strawberry Hedgehog Unidentified Flora

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 12 2026
		kingsnake • Triplogs 915

Hiking	6.25 Miles	1,428 AEG

Hiking	6.25 Miles	2 Hrs 34 Mns	2.44 mph
	1,428 ft AEG

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Sunrise Peak, which I last hiked with my company hiking club in 2008, has good bang for the short hike buck. In my aging fat guy way, it is part of me "training" to resume day hiking A.T. segments a couple of times a year.

It was 61° when I started at 7:40 a.m. No flowers, other than a single mostly closed up buckhorn, in the lower portions. Gave me sadz.

The climb up the canyon was fully in shade at 8:30. It still had spot shade on my return at 10:30.

There's two steep sections: The head of 136th St. canyon is 20%, and so is the summit climb from the second saddle. Both are short. Initially, I missed the turn at marker SR11.

I spent 30 minutes lurking about the summit. Not many people when I arrived, by the end traffic was increasing. I took a few photos, but failed to take any of the panoramic views.

It was 86° when I finished at 11:10. I headed off to Mickey D's for a Filet-O-Fish meal "deal", and medium Shamrock Shake, that cost me $18!

The salt did no good either, as I got *really* bad leg cramps back at home. So bad, my wife came upstairs to see if I was dying. (No joke.)

Rumble Video: https://rumble.com/v775bdo-hiking-sunri ... serve.html
Vimeo Video: https://vimeo.com/1173737616

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot Graffiti Informational/Interpretive Sign Trail Signs and Markings

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
The 0.1" of rain a few days before did not help. With heat coming up this week, spring flower season appears over.

_____________________

http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

230008

Mar 11 2026

Jackluminous

Guides 2
Routes 310
Photos 1,165
Triplogs 315

52 male

Joined Mar 24 2021
Tucson, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 11 2026
		Jackluminous • Triplogs 315

Hiking	5.84 Miles	1,398 AEG

Hiking	5.84 Miles	2 Hrs 30 Mns	3.34 mph
	1,398 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

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Morning jaunt up Sunrise. Last chance to hike before 90s. In March. WTF?

Pretty warm with a 9am start; I forgot how exposed this trail is. Very little shade along the way, though I got my usual shady spot at the top. I think the chipmunk up there recognized me from a prior trip; he seemed disappointed that I am a fastidious eater.

Nice breeze on the downhill.

229944

Feb 15 2026

astrobrewer

Guides 1
Routes 243
Photos 1,371
Triplogs 230

male

Joined Mar 14 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 15 2026
		astrobrewer • Triplogs 230

Hiking	6.34 Miles	1,847 AEG

Hiking	6.34 Miles	2 Hrs 52 Mns	2.50 mph
	1,847 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

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Meet a few friends for this hike. Started at 8am. The parking was easy at the trailhead. We made it to Sunrise Peak in just over an hour. Spent a lot of time on top enjoying the view. It was nice at the peak, but a few steps down from the peak it was very windy and cold. Not too many people on the trail. Great view from the top. Down was easy. Enjoyed a great brunch and tasty brews at Bone Haus afterwards.

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229419

Nov 22 2025

Nightstalker

Routes 197
Photos 7,492
Triplogs 1,858

58 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 22 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,858

Hiking	6.40 Miles	1,558 AEG

Hiking	6.40 Miles	3 Hrs 7 Mns		2.37 mph
	1,558 ft AEG	25 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Harem hike with Dan, Carey, and Christina. Met up at Lost Dog trailhead and took Sunrise trail up to the summit. Lots of parking available at Lost Dog. Plenty of hikers, many with dogs, and 3 bikers peddling up the hill. Crazy windy and a little chilly this morning.

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227586

Nov 30 2024

Jackluminous

Guides 2
Routes 310
Photos 1,165
Triplogs 315

52 male

Joined Mar 24 2021
Tucson, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 30 2024
		Jackluminous • Triplogs 315

Hiking	6.21 Miles	1,405 AEG

Hiking	6.21 Miles	2 Hrs 21 Mns	3.24 mph
	1,405 ft AEG	26 Mns Break

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Visiting family for the holiday, and took the morning to do Sunrise Peak from Lost Dog. Breezy day, especially on the ridges and at the peak, though I found a quiet spot on the lee side of the peak where there wasn't much wind. A bird and some chipmunks came to visit and showed little fear, but they didn't seem too disappointed that I wasn't willing to share my energy bar.

1 archive

219620

Aug 10 2024

mt98dew

Guides 73
Routes 37
Photos 3,639
Triplogs 2,532

56 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 10 2024
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,532

Hiking	7.44 Miles	1,398 AEG

Hiking	7.44 Miles	2 Hrs 28 Mns	3.02 mph
	1,398 ft AEG

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Morning hike in the McDowells. It’s been awhile since I visited Sunrise. It hasn’t changed any… except for the residential development on the northeast slopes.

I woke up late and didn’t get to the Lost Dog TH until 5:30

I found out that the TH didn’t even open up until 5:11, so I didn’t miss that much trail time. Took Sunrise Trail up to the Peak. Nice views as always. Met some women hikers near the top and one enthused, “isn’t it amazing how quickly they’re building the homes (to the northeast). My response “isn’t it sad”. Probably not the response she anticipated. Funny how people see things differently. I wanted to get a few more miles so I took the “Y” east from Sunrise Peak and then followed the trail that goes along the base of the peak. That didn’t add much, so on the way back I took the Ringtail north to where it connected to Lost Dog Wash. Not a lot extra, but enough to get me over 7.

Very fortunate with the weather. Cloudy and breezy all morning. Temps probably never reached 90 while I was out there. Trails not too busy; 21 hikers and 1 amazing runner (met him as he jogged up the final stretch of Sunrise Peak

). Even on my best days, ramped up on Mountain Dew, I couldn’t do that. No wildlife.

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217209

Jul 19 2023

pseudalpine

Guides 73
Routes 1,199
Photos 1,497
Triplogs 1,561

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 19 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,561

Hiking	6.58 Miles	1,406 AEG

Hiking	6.58 Miles	2 Hrs	3.46 mph
	1,406 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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linked

[ checklist ] Sunrise Peak - McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Anazasi Spur Trail - MSP

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Mostly shady on this side of Sunrise Peak from Lost Dog TH. A relatively mellow burn to the summit before six. Dese sniffed out an injured Long-nosed and that was about it for notable wildlife. Subsequent easy walk was a quick tour of the Kovach Family Nature Trail. At least this area of the McDowell Mountains doesn't have noise issues like some of the others.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Long-nosed snake

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

3 archives

208119

Jul 04 2023

Guides 100
Routes 1,640
Photos 16,756
Triplogs 1,535

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 04 2023
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,535

Hiking	6.22 Miles	1,327 AEG

Hiking	6.22 Miles	2 Hrs 39 Mns	2.49 mph
	1,327 ft AEG	9 Mns Break

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For the second day in a row I decided to hike up to Sunrise Peak since the McDowell Mountain Regional Park is still closed due to the Diamond Fire. Yesterday I hiked from Adero Canyon, so today I decided to hike from the Lost Dog Wash TH.

The trail is much nicer coming in from the Adero Canyon side. However, this time of year there is some merit starting at Lost Dog: with an early start I was in shade for the first 2 miles, and in shade most of the way to the hitching post. There is sun exposure on the way back, but the sun is at your back rather than being in your face.

There are a good many more people on the trail from Lost Dog than from Adero.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Variable Ground Snake

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

207798

May 27 2023

Jackluminous

Guides 2
Routes 310
Photos 1,165
Triplogs 315

52 male

Joined Mar 24 2021
Tucson, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 27 2023
		Jackluminous • Triplogs 315

Hiking	6.02 Miles	1,420 AEG

Hiking	6.02 Miles	2 Hrs 42 Mns	3.06 mph
	1,420 ft AEG	44 Mns Break

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Didn’t make it to the trailhead till 7, and it was already getting warm. Hiked into the sun most of the way up Sunrise Peak. Passed lots of hikers coming down. They were the ones smart enough to start before 6.

I startled a javelina after the first mile. It was quick to dash for cover, like one of my cats when I catch them being naughty.

The upshot to a late start was a mostly quiet and sparsely populated Sunrise Peak. I found a nice shady rock and enjoyed some unexpected solitude for a bit before heading down.

The wildflower show is pretty crispy brown now. Saguaros and barrels are in bloom, as are the ironwoods.

206789

Mar 11 2023

rcorfman

Guides 1
Routes 226
Photos 1,675
Triplogs 1,867

66 male

Joined Oct 17 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Sunrise Peak / Lost Dog loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 11 2023
		rcorfman • Triplogs 1,867

Hiking	14.79 Miles	2,675 AEG

Hiking	14.79 Miles	6 Hrs 52 Mns	2.30 mph
	2,675 ft AEG	26 Mns Break

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Sunrise Peak from 136th Street Spur

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This was sort of a strange loop but I wanted to do some geocaching in the area. There aren't geocaches in the preserve, but there are some that take you into the preserve where you answer questions along the way to gain the coordinates of the geocache.

I started at the overflow parking for the Sunrise Peak trailhead. Climbed up to the summit of Sunrise Peak, then headed down to the Lost Dog trailhead. I wasn't paying close enough attention and ended up heading down the trail to the east of Lost Dog, so that added a bit, as I needed to answer some questions in the two nature loops at the trailhead. From there, I went off to find one of the caches off of Columbine Dr, then followed the path along 124th to E Via Linda, where I headed east to just past 136th. From there I went into the wash (I do not recommend going into the wash from Via Linda)

There were many caches along the wash that I searched for. After the last cache, there is a scramble up the wash for a ways. That was fun and I enjoyed working my way up it. Finally, you leave the wash onto a spur trail that takes you up to the Sunrise Peak trail. The best flowers of the day were along this trail.

Once back on the Sunrise Peak trail, I just hoofed it back to the trailhead. I was getting tired and I was just backtracking trail I had been on earlier. I skipped going up to the summit on the way back as there is a side trail making it easy to skip.

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Go find a LonelyCache

204657

Sep 16 2022

jochal

Guides 2
Routes 25
Photos 1,890
Triplogs 607

42 male

Joined Sep 13 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2022
		jochal • Triplogs 607

Hiking	6.14 Miles	1,398 AEG

Hiking	6.14 Miles
	1,398 ft AEG

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Training hike

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199411

Jul 10 2022

Guides 100
Routes 1,640
Photos 16,756
Triplogs 1,535

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 10 2022
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,535

Hiking	8.51 Miles	1,707 AEG

Hiking	8.51 Miles	3 Hrs 2 Mns	2.97 mph
	1,707 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

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linked

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

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I started early on this hike because you are in the shade most of the way up to Sunrise Peak. As it turned out, it was a cloudy morning so we were in shade the entire hike. With the cloud cover, once we got back down to the hitching post we decided to add a little distance and hike to the overlook on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail. From the overlook we hiked back to the Lost Dog Wash TH.

The cloud cover made for a nice hike this morning. Had I known it was going to be cloudy I would have hiked to Thompsons Peak instead.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Camelback Mountain

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

197783

Mar 11 2022

Guides 100
Routes 1,640
Photos 16,756
Triplogs 1,535

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 11 2022
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,535

Hiking	13.40 Miles	2,605 AEG

Hiking	13.40 Miles	5 Hrs 20 Mns	2.87 mph
	2,605 ft AEG	40 Mns Break

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Andrews - Kinsey Trail FHP

Western Trail - FHP

Promenade Trail - FHP

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I was originally going to go out of the country and hike in CA, but with $7+ gas there, I decided to stay in the land of the free and hike close to home. Starting from the Lost Dog Wash TH, I went up to Sunrise Peak, then went over to the Fountain Hills Preserve and hiked up to Peak 4098 before returning to the LDW TH.

The wind was crazy in the morning, and it definitely felt like a winter day. As the day went on the wind subsided, and it felt nice and warm on the way back.

There were more people on the trails in the Fountain Hills side than in Scottsdale, which was unusual.

Wildflowers continue to be disappointing in this area -- on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being highest, I'll give the flowers a 2 or a 3. Perhaps the spring wildflower show will pick up in the next week or 2, but I am not sanguine on that at this point.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot HAZ Decal HAZ Rides

Wildflowers Observation Light
There were a few brittlebush, creosote bush, Dichelostemma capitatum, chuparosa, poppies, and fiddlenecks; however, the wildflower show was underwhelming, to say the least.

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

194707

Feb 26 2022

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 692
Photos 9,422
Triplogs 664

55 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Andrews - Kinsey Trail FHP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 26 2022
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 664

Hiking	12.60 Miles	2,485 AEG

Hiking	12.60 Miles	4 Hrs 37 Mns	3.00 mph
	2,485 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

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linked

Western Trail - FHP

West-View Overlook Spur Trail - FHP

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First time heading up to Sunrise Peak from 124th Street. The approach was a little ho-hum, with the best views looking back over my shoulder at Camelback Mtn. which is framed in a variety of ways, as you gain elevation.

Very little traffic on the trail until I reached the Sunrise Summit, where it seems all heck broke loose, with gobs of hikers converging from the three or so trailheads that all lead up to the peak.

From the peak, I decided to head over on the Andrews-Kinsey trail towards the Adero Canyon trailhead. There is a nice pass overlook that about halfway, providing good views east and west. Also, in terms of scenery, the drainages you weave in an out of along the northern end of the arcing trail provide nice views of some good saguaro fields.

The large housing development going up below distracts from the views.

At the Western Loop Junction, I headed up to Peak 3098, which IMO, provides better views than from Sunrise Peak--allowing you to see over to Tom's Thumb, as well as all of the eastern views in to Fountain Hills and the Superstitions--Weavers Needle and Flatiron, to the east.

The return trip to the TH was uneventful, though passed a lot more traffic.

Some poppies starting to pop.

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1 archive

194371

Feb 24 2022

Guides 100
Routes 1,640
Photos 16,756
Triplogs 1,535

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 24 2022
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,535

Hiking	13.55 Miles	3,176 AEG

Hiking	13.55 Miles	4 Hrs 55 Mns	2.97 mph
	3,176 ft AEG	21 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Andrews - Kinsey Trail FHP

Western Trail - FHP

Promenade Trail - FHP

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none

no partners

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I decided to head over to the Lost Dog Wash TH and hike up to Sunrise Peak. When I got back down to the hitching post, instead of going directly back to the TH, I continued over to the Fountain Hills Preserve and hiked up to Peak 3098, aka the West View Overlook, before heading back to the Lost Dog Wash TH.

It was an enjoyable day out -- the weather was sunny, cool, and crisp with a bit of a breeze; basically a nice winter day. The mountains in the Mazzies and Supes were snow-capped, which made for some nice scenery.

There is getting ready to be a nice wildflower show in the McDowells I think.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brittlebush Chuparosa

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mazatzal Mountains

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
I saw some chuparosa blooming in several places. A few Dichelostemma capitatum and poppies were blooming, along with a couple of lupine and one brittle bush. There should be a good showing of brittle bush in a few days.

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

194310

Feb 20 2022

cindyl

Routes 17
Photos 2,773
Triplogs 249

53 female

Joined May 15 2009
Phoenix and Tucs

[ checklist ] Dichelostemma capitatum Emorys Rock Daisy London Rocket Mexican Gold Poppy

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2022
		cindyl • Triplogs 249

Hiking	6.55 Miles	1,414 AEG

Hiking	6.55 Miles	3 Hrs 23 Mns	2.34 mph
	1,414 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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i've been trying new things. i wanted something not too long since i started so late and i know my hiking speed. during the first mile, i saw more bags of dog poo than I did dogs. there were not a lot of people (or dogs) on their way up to sunrise peak from this trailhead and i didn't mind. i had a good long rest at the top without any company. all in all a good day. Note: only my second time using route scout and it lost me for a bit. i don't know how to edit, or even if i should. close enough.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ - Selfie

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
a few Dichelostemma capitatum, even fewer poppies.

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There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...

194234

Nov 25 2021

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 718
Photos 7,657
Triplogs 4,890

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 25 2021
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,890

Hiking	6.00 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles
	1,400 ft AEG

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partners

	BobP	joebartels
	johnlp	LindaAnn
	Tortoise_Hiker

our 11th annual thanksgiving sunrise hike
just the peak this year for the six of us
it was unbelievably windy

fortunately not cold
great to hike with everyone again, always a good time
happy thanksgiving, y'all!

_____________________

hazhole

2 archives

191615

Nov 25 2021

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,902
Photos 14,821
Triplogs 6,003

56 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 25 2021
		joebartels • Triplogs 6,003

Hiking	5.96 Miles	1,365 AEG

Hiking	5.96 Miles	2 Hrs 22 Mns	2.69 mph
	1,365 ft AEG	9 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	BobP	johnlp
	LindaAnn	Tortoise_Hiker
	trekkin_gecko

Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Once again, I was honored to join Lp-Trekkin-Turtle's annual Turkey Trot. Gale greeted us en force and held stride for the majority.

Within a mile of the peak it felt like we were the lone souls but eight greeted us at the peak. Foot traffic picked up a little thereafter. A couple bikes and only a couple dogs compared to every other hiker with a dog in previous years.

Whistling Saguaros are always a cool phenomenon in the wind.

It was great to see everyone, Happy Thanksgiving HAZ'rs!

_____________________

- joe

191616

Nov 25 2021

LindaAnn

Guides 119
Routes 2,508
Photos 9,795
Triplogs 2,851

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 25 2021
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,851

Hiking	6.03 Miles	1,440 AEG

Hiking	6.03 Miles	2 Hrs 29 Mns	2.64 mph
	1,440 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

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partners

	BobP	joebartels
	johnlp	Tortoise_Hiker
	trekkin_gecko

Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I’m not sure how many of the Thanksgiving hikes I’ve joined in on, but I’m always happy to be invited. Got started as soon as the gate opened. Windy. Very windy. But not cold, so I was comfortable in shorts and a long sleeve shirt. The highlight for me was matching my shoes and shirt to my nail polish

and I was glad to not have to wear a jacket and mess up the excellent coordination.

The wind made the final quarter mile or so to the summit a little challenging at times, but we made it to the top and got some pictures. A handful of other hikers up top, who had all come from the other side. Again, the wind on the descent was strong enough to mess with your balance, but was better once below the saddle. Quick hike back to the trailhead. The wind must have kept the crowds away, because the trails were pretty empty compared to previous turkey day hikes.

Great to see everyone and fun conversation. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

191619

Nov 25 2021

BobP

Guides 2
Routes 251
Photos 4,602
Triplogs 3,310

64 male

Joined Feb 26 2008
Scottsdale, AZ