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| Hiking | 4.77 Miles |
1,299 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.77 Miles | 2 Hrs 5 Mns | | 2.39 mph |
| 1,299 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I found another trail that was an easy way to finish another HAZ area, this time Sunrise Peak-McDowell. I haven't done the Sunrise Trail from 145th St since April 2013 when I did it clear to Lost Dog and back. In fact, both times I've done this trail (Nov 2012) I did that; but not today. I guess I should have given thot to the over and back but I'll leave it up to the Thanksgiving gang.
It is a pretty hike and when the Brittlebush start blooming, it will be spectacular. There's plenty of great desert flora to keep you entertained and the trail is in good shape. It can be a little relentless on the upside and I hated every time the trail went down again when I was heading up. The people traffic was more than I thot it would be for a Wed. afternoon.
I was glad for every short flat section as I continued my way up and in and out of shade. There was a slight breeze from time to time. I did get to catch the fountain spouting off so I stopped to take a few pictures. I finally got to the intersection to either go straight and come up from the west side or go up here, on the east side. I've been up the east side a lot so I opted to go up this side. It surprisingly has some short inclines along with the steep inclines so really not too bad. I crossed over on this high trail to meet up with Sunrise west to finish the last of the climb.
I didn't really stay long on top as I've been up here several times. There was one group up here so I followed them down. There were still others coming up as I descended. The shade was fairly prominent now but I had already rolled down my shirt sleeves. One of the gals in front of me stopped to take a picture at an area I had taken on the way up but the backlighting really made the leafed-out ocotillos stand out.
My right hip/leg is giving me grief on and off during the hike but mostly after it's over. I do have a bone density test next month so we'll see if my hips are continuing to deteriorate or are maintaining. I've had this problem before and it went away so I'm hoping that's the case again.
I got back down to the trailhead but in order to get my 100% of the trails in an area, I had to take the Sunrise Trail Equestrian Spur to the overflow lot. It was a fun little trail and took you into a wash that was rather interesting. The Wash Trail continues but you hang a right (west) to go up to the Overflow lot where they have a water fountain for human and animal. From there it's a short jaunt up to the main Trailhead.
I enjoyed my Huck beer and ordered my Shrimp and Vegetables to go from the Thai House in north Scottsdale where I've been going for years back when I was a working girl.
WATCH: 4.48 miles (high point 3136, low 1906) Avg bpm 139, max 168 with 30% at anaerobic, 30% at zone 3 aerobic and the rest at zone 2 weight control burning 919 calories (I thot it would be more due to elevation gain so I wonder how they calculate that). Starting temp 62.5 and 17% humidity finishing at 4:25PM. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Emery Rock Daisy, a few brittle bush blooming, dandelions |
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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 
That was a barn burner! 
I've been thinking about this hike for a few years and finally completed it in the rain today. I'll admit that thesnake lit a fire underneath me to get it done. Thanks for the TL 
Much of this route also was familiar to the Torote Loops in the Sierra Estrella range. Could be a five star route except for all those god-damned jets overhead constantly!
