Littleleaf Trail - San Tan MRP • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Dec 20 2025
		jacobemerick • Triplogs 249

Run/Jog	7.00 Miles	1,013 AEG

Run/Jog	7.00 Miles	1 Hour 33 Mns	4.52 mph
	1,013 ft AEG

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Nice easy run to try something a little different. Started from Phillips TH, did Moonlight -> San Tan (north) -> Dynamite -> Goldmine -> Littleleaf. Had to walk up Goldmine because it's so silly steep. Most of the trails were sparsely populated, tho there was a surprising number of hikers going up Goldmine from the south. Always assumed the north approach was more popular. Oh, and there were some wedding photos being taken near the Dynamite / Goldmine intersection that I may have spoiled. Good running

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228207

Apr 03 2024

pseudalpine

Guides 72
Routes 1,186
Photos 1,493
Triplogs 1,543

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 03 2024
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,543

Hiking	17.51 Miles	1,717 AEG

Hiking	17.51 Miles	4 Hrs 44 Mns	3.74 mph
	1,717 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...

8 archives

214420

Feb 27 2023

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 5,149
Triplogs 4,262

50 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

San Tan Park, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 27 2023
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,262

Run/Jog	20.00 Miles	2,106 AEG

Run/Jog	20.00 Miles	4 Hrs 16 Mns		4.88 mph
	2,106 ft AEG	10 Mns Break	5 LBS Pack

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got a chance to go out to san tan mountain regional park and do a long run for the first time. nice park with great trail network for running. perfect weather day for a long effort

i will come back here periodically for some long runs. really enjoyed it

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hi

204364

Nov 08 2022

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 149
Photos 10,139
Triplogs 3,784

64 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 08 2022
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,784

Hiking	1.60 Miles	90 AEG

Hiking	1.60 Miles	1 Hour 1 Min	1.57 mph
	90 ft AEG

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My older sister joined me for a leg stretcher and bought me breakfast afterwards. Nice to chitchat and get a little hike in! Thanks sis! Like HAZ, you rock!!

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

200722

Feb 06 2022

jacobemerick

Guides 38
Routes 190
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 249

male

Joined Dec 09 2014
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 06 2022
		jacobemerick • Triplogs 249

Run/Jog	12.20 Miles	450 AEG

Run/Jog	12.20 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	8.71 mph
	450 ft AEG

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Bike -> Run -> Bike. Forgot to do these during the month of January and, combined with some pre-outing HIIT, I was riding the struggle bus. Bike in was tough, lots of walking breaks, some cramping on the last mile, and bike out was a lot of coasting. Need to get better at accepting that some runs are fast and some are slow. Anyways, lots of other casual hikers out enjoying the late morning sun. Did Moonlight -> San Tan -> Littleleaf, just to change things up and keep mileage low.

Bike from home -> park: 4.2 miles, 23 mins
Trail running: 3.9 miles, 45 mins
Bike from park -> home: 4.1 miles, 16 mins
Calories: 1189

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193769

Dec 29 2021

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

75 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 29 2021
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	12.18 Miles	1,372 AEG

Hiking	12.18 Miles	4 Hrs 53 Mns	2.67 mph
	1,372 ft AEG	19 Mns Break

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Rock Peak Wash Trail - San Tan MRP

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

Breeze made the start chilly, from a parking lot only partially filled. Quickly warm up though on the trek up to the Goldmine saddle. First time seeing wildlife here as 4 coyotes crossed the trail in front of me on San Tan , too slow with taking a picture, they were making a big clamor in the nearby wash. For the entire hike until reaching the Dynamite trail saw more horses and riders than bikeriders. Took a look at another way to access rock peak instead of from San Tan Trail for future ideas Anticipating seeing wildflowers along here in a month with the rain and greenery present.

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Arizona23asu7

192674

Nov 10 2021

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

75 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 10 2021
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	10.02 Miles	1,263 AEG

Hiking	10.02 Miles
	1,263 ft AEG

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Goldmine Mountain BM 2448

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This is a nice park for getting some exercise. Perfect temp ,51°,at the start for the climb up Goldmine , decided to hop up on the summit this time too. Met few others on the trail toward the visitor center but once there ,outside the center a large group was forming up , managed to skirt by only to come across another large group on San Tan, had a Moses moment as the group parted to let me through. Decided to break out my old MP3 player for the last couple of miles. Recently read that wired earbuds are making a comeback,so I’m sure I looked cool with the tangled wires dangling from my neck

Listening to Traffics John Barleycorn Must Die reminded me to have a single malt once back home

. Lots of construction on Ellsworth and the alternate Ironwood makes for slow travel to Queen Creek.

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Arizona23asu7

191327

Jun 11 2021

Yoder

Guides 8
Routes 70
Photos 3,208
Triplogs 273

60 male

Joined Oct 07 2017
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 11 2021
		Yoder • Triplogs 273

Hiking	7.20 Miles	890 AEG

Hiking	7.20 Miles	2 Hrs 53 Mns		3.11 mph
	890 ft AEG	34 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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Another Night hike.
Wanted to wrap up a couple of more trails here so I can say I hiked all of the trails. Targeting the LittleLeaf, Moonlight and Stargazer trails. Created a loop following the sequence:
01. Little Leaf (LL) = 0.7 miles
02. Goldmine (GM) = 0.4 miles
03. San Tan (SA) = 2.8 miles
04. Hedgehog (HG) = 0.9 miles
05. Stargazer (SG) = 0.7 miles
06. Moonlight (ML) = 0.8 miles

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J. Yoder

4 archives

187114

Mar 12 2021

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

75 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 12 2021
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	12.23 Miles	1,438 AEG

Hiking	12.23 Miles	5 Hrs	2.72 mph
	1,438 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

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I’ve been vexed since not getting to hike with the popular kids here last month, I’m sure my missing invitation was an oversight by an anonymous someone whose HAZ names starts with a T. Decided to do it today rain or shine, parked at the Goldmine Trail head , started up Goldmine Trail accompanied by my own misty ,cold, drizzly cloud up to the Goldmine Saddle where we parted ways. Invoked memories of hiking in Scotland except brown hillsides instead of green, clouds remained entertaining all day but no more rain encountered. Actually a fine day to hike in this shadeless park with the cloud cover, I think it was the cause of the scarcity of bikers and other hikers. Went from the saddle on San Tan trail all the way to the junction of Dynamite Trail seeing no others. Stopped by the new since December “repair and aid station “ at the Hedgehog junction , verified pickle juice was still there. Further along the trail stopped for a leisurely snack break on one of the benches at a viewpoint, felt like I had the park to myself. Coming down Dynamite Trail near the junction with Goldmine there was a stroller parked there. while looping around the graves contemplated a stroller jacking but alas by time I returned it was occupied by a 5 month old cherub. Returned to the trailhead feeling unvexed, noted a nasty looking storm cell to the west which I also avoided.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Brittle brush with a few blooms.

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Arizona23asu7

184573

Feb 11 2021

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 1,200
Photos 37,241
Triplogs 1,590

70 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

San Tan loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2021
		tibber • Triplogs 1,590

Hiking	9.56 Miles	1,229 AEG

Hiking	9.56 Miles	4 Hrs 9 Mns	2.61 mph
	1,229 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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LindaAnn

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

Had planned to do this on Tue but my doctor had advised to postpone it in case I had an adverse reaction to the vaccine which I did in the form of a very sore arm for two days. But the advantage was that Linda would be able to join us.

We met at the TH at 9 and started up the Littleleaf Trail to the Goldmine Trail. It's a nice little climb and I'm trying to do some more elevation now that my wrist is starting to heal. Before heading down the NW side we bagged the peak because it's really the thing to do when Linda is along

.

The trail down was a tad steep and slippery so it required careful footing. We visited the gravesite which was interesting. Soon we would finally swing to the west and south again on the Dynamite Trail hiking the contours of the various mountainsides. During that part of the hike Linda spotted quite a few mine tailings and explained those to Deborah and how she can learn to spot them. We eventually came out of the mountain clusters to the San Tan Valley and the San Tan Trail. We found a bench to take a snack break a little after 1/2 way.

We hiked south thru more of the desert and washes enjoying the desert flora. There is this one section between the mountains and near a wash that I particularly like as the desert is rather plush here altho not so much today. Linda spotted some Desert Trumpet (good eye) that she pointed out for Deborah to see. Deborah does like our desert flora and is trying to learn about it.

We eventually headed east and then north on the Hedgehog Trail topping out at the last viewpoint before joining back up with the San Tan Trail heading onto the desert floor and back to the TH. We encountered many other hikers, with and without dogs, and bikeriders throughout but everyone was pretty cordial I'd say.

I've really enjoyed both my hikes in this park and it is well-maintained. However, they could stand to do some work on that back side (NW) of Goldmine. I was pretty tired by the time we finished that last mile.

I always like having good company on these longer hikes and enjoyed visiting with Linda and Deborah. And even though I've known Deborah from the mid 70s, I still learn things. She really has quite the athletic family (runners). And she has one of the best trail dogs, Duke. I'll be hooking up with her again when she moves her RV to Lost Dutchman for a couple days.

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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.

1 archive

183810

Feb 11 2021

LindaAnn

Guides 112
Routes 2,440
Photos 9,563
Triplogs 2,791

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

San Tan loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2021
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,791

Hiking	9.40 Miles	1,228 AEG

Hiking	9.40 Miles	4 Hrs 8 Mns	2.56 mph
	1,228 ft AEG	28 Mns Break

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tibber

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

Met Angela and her friend, Deborah, at the main trailhead at 0900. Headed out on Littleleaf, then up Goldmine. I was quite impressed that Angela had chosen Goldmine while dealing with an injury, and even commented to that effect. Turns out, she didn’t know quite how steep the backside of it is. We all made it down without incident.

After looking at the graves, we headed south on Dynamite, then south on San Tan to the intersection with Hedgehog. That intersection has a nice bike repair/first aid station. Hedgehog north, then finished on San Tan again to complete the loop.

Lots of hikers, dogs, and bikers out on the trails, but everyone was friendly. Other than Goldmine, which is steep, the rest of the trails are easy and in great shape, which makes the miles go by quickly. Not much breeze, and warm today. Still pretty brown out there compared to South Mtn, which has greened up recently.

Great to see Angela again, and thank you for the invitation. Nice to meet Deborah as well, plus her dog Duke, who was a sweet little guy. He’s the same age, and about the same size, as my dog, but at least three times more alive. Mine won’t do anything more energetic than sleep in whatever room of the house I happen to be in.

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

183780

Jan 30 2021

The_Eagle

Guides 42
Routes 1,767
Photos 15,433
Triplogs 2,894

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

San Tan Loop Tour, AZ

Hiking		Jan 30 2021
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,894

Hiking	15.65 Miles	1,708 AEG

Hiking	15.65 Miles	7 Hrs 11 Mns	3.02 mph
	1,708 ft AEG	2 Hrs Break

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joebartels

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I had never hiked in San Tan Regional park before, so it was time to try it out.

A 7:30 start netted us a parking spot in the about 30 car lot. Later, on the return, cars were parked all up and down the road into the park.

Cool temps to start and easy trails and grades. CCW on the Dynamite Trail and then the San Tan Trail, the people thinned out considerably. We passed the occasional Hiker, runner, MTB'er

The Malpais (def. "badland") Trail was my favorite of the day. Up close views of Malpais Hills, perfect temps, long clear views and white puffy Fraley's made it even more enjoyable.

Back on the San Tan we made a stop at the parks east main entrance. It appeared Denny had broken out of his enclosure and was nowhere to be found. The trails all day had been in good shape, wide, and gentle grades. The final furlong to the TH included the steepest climb of the day on the Goldmine Trail. It got 'cha puffin', The decent down the west side was steeper and looser.

Nice to sample this area. I would probably so it more often if I lived in the south valley.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Grave - Identified

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

183430

Jan 18 2021

WaitingForRain

Photos 5
Triplogs 1,111

female

Joined Oct 04 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2021
		WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,111

Hiking	9.50 Miles	764 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles	3 Hrs 28 Mns	2.74 mph
	764 ft AEG

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Malpais Loop from Phillips TH - San Tan MRP

Rock Peak Wash Trail - San Tan MRP

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apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...

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1 archive

183079

Nov 24 2020

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

75 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 24 2020
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	11.80 Miles	1,390 AEG

Hiking	11.80 Miles	4 Hrs 15 Mns		3.01 mph
	1,390 ft AEG	20 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

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Decided to get out and do a preemptive strike against the expected calorie onslaught later this week, perfect weather day for hiking so decided to take the longest loop in the park unless you include the Malpais wash. The trails were not too busy but at the San Tan and Hedgehog junction there was a large group of about 25 , majority women , half children , maskless , in plain people dress in contrast to the usual spandex and tank tops I see out here. I wasn’t bold enough to ask but since the young men were beardless so guessing not Amish , the little girls looked cute in their bonnets. Decided to take a time out here to change socks and let them move ahead , when I stood up my back decided to go into a spasm which joined me the rest of the way. Despite that this was an extremely nice day to be outdoors.

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Arizona23asu7

181489

Jan 16 2020

kingsnake

Guides 120
Routes 351
Photos 11,642
Triplogs 911

male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 16 2020
		kingsnake • Triplogs 911

Hiking	7.94 Miles	608 AEG

Hiking	7.94 Miles	2 Hrs 44 Mns	2.90 mph
	608 ft AEG

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There are nine trails in the San Tan Mountain Regional Park, rated from easy to “difficult”. I hiked a loop consisting of all 0.7 easy miles of the Littleleaf Trail, 0.4 miles of the “difficult” Goldmine Trail, and all 6.4 “moderate-difficult” miles of the San Tan Trail. In reality, the loop is no more difficult than hiking Charles M. Chistiansen Trail #100, only shorter. I didn’t even bring my hiking poles.

I did, however, carry my hiking pack. With low temps and 100% cloud cover, I didn’t need more than a bottle or two of water, but for training purposes I humped all the crap in my pack anyway.

After paying my respects at the Afghanistan-Iraq War Memorial, I started up the Littleleaf Trail. I did the whole 0.7 miles of it in less time than it took me to type this triplog.

San Tan Trail didn’t have nearly as many horse

’s as I remember from last time I hiked it, in 2010 [ popup triplog ] . The only “climb” is 200 ft. in the 0.6 miles from Rock Peak to a saddle. (I saw one guy pushing his mountain bike up it.)

Other than that one little climb, San Tan Trail just rolls up & down small washes. It is at its best south of the Moonlight Trail intersection, where San Tan approaches the Malpais Hills cliff band, 2.4 miles to the Rock Wash Trail intersection on the northeast slope of Rock Peak. I thought I spotted one doable route up the otherwise sheer face of the Malpais Hills.

And ... That's it. Not much to it, really.

Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/476612023

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Barrel Cactus Saguaro

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Memorial Old Glory Windmill

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Malpais Hills Rock Peak

Wildflowers Observation None
One weird cactus (see photoset), but no flowers.

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

1 archive

172463

May 20 2019

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

75 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 20 2019
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	12.20 Miles	1,490 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	5 Hrs 10 Mns	2.52 mph
	1,490 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

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Rock Peak Wash Trail - San Tan MRP

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Another gorgeous weather day for May so decided on a local hike. Changed up my routine of Goldmine and Dynamite trails with a loop between them and started instead at the park office. Windy and 58° at the start, parking lot was not very busy noticed a couple of horses being saddled. Headed up San Tan trail and then turned down Rock Peak wash trail , appears to be mostly a horse route from Brenner Pass road, , did not go all the way to the trailhead before turning back to San Tan. Was off track in the rock peak area, does not appear too many others get lost up there. Continued on for first time on Malpais trail bumped rating up from a 1 to a 2 due to no bikes on it, 4.1 miles and 75% a wash, nice view looking up at the malpais hills but hiking felt like snow shoeing , can fill your shoes with sand and can burn up some calories on that one. Clouds started to gather to the north , time to head back, Returned via Moonlight, Stargazer trails and then a mini loop to visit the well done Arizona Memorial for those who lost their lives in the Middle East since 9/11. Went by the buddy pond and windmill and then little leaf trail to finish up an enjoyable day. Caution on these trails in hot weather as there is no water , except at the park office, and very little shade.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Malpais Hills Rock Peak

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Arizona23asu7

165978

Jan 24 2019

rally_toad

Guides 22
Routes 6
Photos 512
Triplogs 466

male

Joined May 17 2007
CA

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 24 2019
		rally_toad • Triplogs 466

Hiking	7.50 Miles	746 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles	2 Hrs 27 Mns	3.06 mph
	746 ft AEG

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Loop linking the entirety of the San Tan Trail to Gold Mine and Little Leaf trails.

I enjoy hiking in this park. Some nice desert scenery and you can actually get some mileage in.

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"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth

162730

Jan 21 2019

rayhuston

Guides 1
Routes 493
Photos 4,428
Triplogs 987

68 male

Joined Mar 09 2012
Gilbert, AZ

San Tan Regional Park Sampler, AZ

Hiking		Jan 21 2019
		rayhuston • Triplogs 987

Hiking	9.95 Miles	1,229 AEG

Hiking	9.95 Miles	3 Hrs 11 Mns	3.16 mph
	1,229 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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I haven’t been here for a long time Wanted to get some easy miles.

Lots of families out enjoying the nice weather. It was fun watching the little ones navigating the trails. The operative word for the first couple of miles was patience.

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1 archive

162631

Aug 18 2018

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,284
Triplogs 2,482

56 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 18 2018
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,482

Hiking	7.56 Miles	88 AEG

Hiking	7.56 Miles	1 Hour 20 Mns	5.67 mph
	88 ft AEG

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Early morning run in the San Tan's. Got there a little after 6am. Surprised to see that the park was already hopping - 20 plus cars were already in the lot when I got there. Wanted to do a loop incorporating Littleleaf. Did this loop CCW starting with Littleleaf, then Goldmine and then San Tan to get back to the TH. Littleleaf was short trail with a very mild uphill incline. Very broad, almost road like. On Goldmine for a short time. It also, was wide in nature with an up and down feel to it as it crossed washes and some low lying hills. On San Tan for a majority of this run. Most of this trail is pretty nice for running. It varies from a wide to single track and goes from firm compact dirt to soft soil and is fairly rock free so there is minimal tripping hazards. The trail is fairly flat with some minor climbs. The most annoying one is on the southern end and is more challenging if you are going in a CCW direction (which I was). Also, the southern end has 5-6 washes that need to be negotiated in a direct up and down manor, which I also find to be annoying. Nice run. Encountered 72 bikers, 24 hikers, 17 trail runners and 2 horsemen - almost all going in a clockwise direction. Not bad for an August morning! Weather was nice. The air was still, but temps were nice as evident from high usage.

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157900

Aug 12 2018

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 149
Photos 10,139
Triplogs 3,784

64 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 12 2018
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,784

Hiking	4.50 Miles	308 AEG

Hiking	4.50 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	3.21 mph
	308 ft AEG

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