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| | | SoMo National Full Traverse & Maricopa Peak, AZ | | | |
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SoMo National Full Traverse & Maricopa Peak, AZ
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| Hiking | 35.21 Miles |
5,399 AEG |
| | Hiking | 35.21 Miles | 9 Hrs 49 Mns | | 3.93 mph |
| 5,399 ft AEG | 52 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I've wanted to hike the full length of National Trail as an out-and-back for a while but had been looking for an open day with cooler temps, and today checked both boxes. I started from Pima Canyon TH by flashlight just after 5AM, and the petrichor was almost overwhelming after the rain yesterday, and trail conditions were in the damp-to-moist range over the first few miles. Nice city views, then even nicer sunrise views as I passed Buena Vista Lookout.
Not too many people out yet around Telegraph Pass, and I passed a few mines and then took a food/water break and shed a layer on Goat Hill at ~7:30AM. The weather was perfect for long hike, and I could still see my breath while I was up there. I'd never been west of Goat, so that was all uncharted territory as I continued west on National and lost a lot of elevation along the way. That side of SoMo is quieter but less interesting once it leaves the Gila Range...nice views of the Estrellas, but also the 202 and the casino.
I hit the west end of National at San Juan Lookout at 9AM and continued down toward the road, then came back and took another food/water break near the shelter. It was still early and I was feeling good, so I started up Alta to visit Maricopa Peak, the high point in the Hawk Tuah range. That was a steady gain all the way up, and I took a longer food/water break on top and enjoyed the views. I noticed two reference marks up there but couldn't find a benchmark...probably stolen.
Then the long hike back, down Alta and east on the full length of National. The stretch going back up to Goat Hill felt long and steep, and I shed the final extra layer around mile 23. I had to dodge more people near Telegraph, then the trails were quieter again. I took a final break near Buena Vista Lookout, then finished it off, getting back to the starting point just before 3PM.
Fun day seeing some new terrain on the west side of SoMo and getting reacquainted with the tail end of my playlist with the longer day  . The high temp was ~65°, about as nice as it'll get this time of year for a long SoMo hike. This exceeded my previous longest hike by 10+ miles, but I felt good and didn't have any cramping...carried 223oz of liquids, drank a little over 150oz. The storms yesterday left Four Peaks and various ranges covered in snow...I really wished I'd brought a real camera to get better pictures--it's tempting to go back out tomorrow just for that. |
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