|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 10.65 Miles |
2,031 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.65 Miles | 5 Hrs 53 Mns | | 2.03 mph |
| 2,031 ft AEG | 38 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Met Tom at the "triangle lot" around 0830. Quick stop to check out the Max Delta Mine at the start--glass and graffiti everywhere--then west on Bajada. I had warned Tom that Bajada is a bit dull, really it's just a way to loop either National or Alta, and there were no complaints. Of course, the far west end of National isn't exciting either, but it's easy hiking. Tom was concerned that we were going to walk all the way to the 202.
Took a break at San Juan Lookout before starting the real point of the hike. Up to this point, we had seen nobody else, but saw two bicyclists while at the lookout, then three hikers at the beginning of Alta, and that was it for the day. The hike up was steep in places, and warm, but an occasional breeze helped. At the saddle, we made the side trip over to Maricopa Peak, then continued east on Alta. I kept promising that the uphill of the hike was over, but Alta still seems to climb in places along the ridge. Once we were truly heading downhill, the breeze faded away, but going downhill was enough of a reward. Took a look at the crested/mutated saguaro at one of the switchbacks. Short hike back east on Bajada to get back to the vehicles.
Pleasant hike, despite the dullness of Bajada/National. If Alta was closer to the Ahwatukee side of the park, I would hike it a lot more often. Good to see Tom again--thanks for joining me! |
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Nice day and didn't see a soul except for one guy at the trailhead.
There were low expectations advised for the Bajada Trail so it didn’t seem too bad . I was surprised to see how close we were getting to the casino and 202 before turning back east. She avoided the neighborhood where reportedly resides a fellow curmudgeon, had hoped to pick up some tips on keeping kids off my lawn 
