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Marcos De Niza - South Mountain - 26 members in 659 triplogs have rated this an average 3.2 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 33  Next
659 triplogs
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Sep 01 2025
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 Guides 25
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 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking14.26 Miles 2,555 AEG
Hiking14.26 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   4.24 mph
2,555 ft AEG
 
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Decided to get up early on Labor Day for a morning hike before the day heated up. It was already in the upper 80s before 5AM, but a steady breeze kept it from feeling too uncomfortable. I forgot to bring a flashlight--haven't started this early at SoMo in a while--but there were enough city lights that I could get by without it, then a colorful sunrise. The trails were emptier than I expected for a holiday with reasonably nice late summer weather.

I stuck to my usual route, which I hadn't done in more than two months, and went out to Dobbins Lookout, paused for some water, then headed back and went over Marcos de Niza again to finish it off. Nothing too interesting out there today, though I saw what looked like a squished frog on National Trail...that's a new one. And the ocotillo leaves have greened up a lot in the past week after the recent rain.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Red Spotted Toad
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Aug 29 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Marcos - Guadalupe, AZ 
Marcos - Guadalupe, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,660
Hiking8.45 Miles 2,253 AEG
Hiking8.45 Miles   3 Hrs      2.83 mph
2,253 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
no photosets
Partners partners
johnlp
up and back from pima at 0530
some rain this morning made the trails damp
overcast until we turned around
this hike is always a challenge for me
na beers in the ramada after
thanks, john
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hazhole
  2 archives
Aug 29 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
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68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Marcos - Guadalupe, AZ 
Marcos - Guadalupe, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2025
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking8.45 Miles 2,253 AEG
Hiking8.45 Miles   3 Hrs      2.88 mph
2,253 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 no routes
Partners partners
trekkin_gecko
Early start with a bit of light rain. Good workout hike. Thanks Kelly! :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Aug 27 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking10.31 Miles 2,283 AEG
Hiking10.31 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   3.19 mph
2,283 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Started from Pima Canyon Trailhead around 6AM, and it was a cooler morning in the upper 70s, but still very humid. There were surprisingly few people out on a relatively nice morning for August. SoMo clearly got quite a bit of rain in the big storm on Monday--there were lots of little washouts along the trails and down in Pima Wash, a few remaining puddles with standing water, and millipedes enjoying the lingering moisture. Didn't see much wildlife but crossed paths with @trekkin_gecko on the way back up from Mormon Trailhead.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Millipede
 
Aug 17 2025
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 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Marcos De Niza - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Aug 17 2025
KingLeonidasTriplogs 251
 Hiking4.85 Miles 2,330 AEG
 Hiking4.85 Miles   1 Hour   54 Mns   2.55 mph
2,330 ft AEG6 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Hiked Marcos de Niza, my usual fitness hike.

Was able to arrive earlier this time after taking Eanáir on his now customary walk to the park. It was cooler and there were actually a few people on the trail this time. One was a real speed demon, I was following him most of the way in (but never did catch up) and he disappeared around the Guadalupe trail connector, I think he must have been doing a thru-hike.

There weren't many people around on my return and the parking lot ranger had cleared out as well.

It was a good hike for fitness and thinking.
_____________________
 
Jul 20 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
San Gabriel RidgePhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 20 2025
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking8.56 Miles 1,922 AEG
Hiking8.56 Miles   2 Hrs   35 Mns   3.34 mph
1,922 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 no routes
Nice overcast morning. Lots of folks out enjoying the relatively cool day. Pretty sunrise. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
  2 archives
Jul 12 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 12 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking10.43 Miles 2,249 AEG
Hiking10.43 Miles   3 Hrs   34 Mns   3.16 mph
2,249 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
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Back to SoMo for another lap through Hidden Valley/Mormon, starting around 6AM. The trails weren't too busy, and it wasn't ridiculously hot but humid enough that I was sweating a lot. Not much to note out there today--saw a jackrabbit but no particularly interesting wildlife, and it was in the low 90s by the end.
 
Jul 04 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking10.02 Miles 2,210 AEG
Hiking10.02 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   3.08 mph
2,210 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We got out for a morning hike on the Fourth of July, starting around 6AM from Pima Canyon. It was in the upper 70s but a little humid as we got going, and there weren't many other people out there on the holiday enjoying the relatively cool weather. We stuck to the usual route through Hidden Valley we've done a lot recently, and the trails remained relatively quiet throughout. It was still only in the upper 80s when we finished ~9:30AM, so not a bad morning to be outside.
  1 archive
Jun 28 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 28 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking10.35 Miles 2,196 AEG
Hiking10.35 Miles   3 Hrs   28 Mns   3.06 mph
2,196 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
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It had been a while since I'd hiked with TboneKathy, so when she said she was heading to SoMo on Saturday morning, I told her I'd join and set an alarm even though sleeping in sounded very tempting. It had been ~6 weeks since we were at South Mountain together, and since our creativity apparently hasn't improved during that time, we defaulted to the same route we hiked often in the spring , through Hidden Valley and over toward Mormon Trailhead. Pretty typical day on the trails...medium-busy, toasty but not ridiculously hot for June, in the mid-90s when we finished around 9:30AM.
 
Jun 20 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Marcos De Niza - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 20 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking5.52 Miles 1,660 AEG
Hiking5.52 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   2.21 mph
1,660 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Not exactly what I planned, but it turned out to be a nice, challenging hike. I had plane on doing the Ridgeline Trail, but discovers that the TH was closed, forcing me to drive to the Pima Wash TH. Late hike today, got started a little after 10am.

Decided to do a loop starting with the Marcos De Niza. Took this over to a use trail that connects with Pima Road and took the old Mormon Loop Trail over to the west side of the Ridgeline Trail. Definitely feeling it and briefly debated on taking the old alignment for the Ridgeline to have a shorter loop back to the TH, but decided to do all of the Ridgeline. Witnessed them totally razing the old Beverly Canyon Trail (now part of the Pima Canyon Loop). They had a full sized bulldozer scraping the ground. Not sure why they felt a need to do that. Then took the Pima Beverly Connector back to the TH.

Hike was only 5 miles, but I really felt pressed to finish this loop. Hikes like this use to be a walk in the park. I’m hoping I’m just out of shape and those days aren’t past. Only saw 3 other hikers and 1 biker while I was out there. Temps were probably in the low 100’s, but still saw some wildlife: a handful of quail, 2 chuckwallas and surprisingly about 8 chipmunks. Summer is just starting and already the desert looks burnt. It’s going to be a long summer for out plants if we don’t get a decent monsoons this year. Air quality seemed good, but my throat felt raw after the hike. Felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes. :--: .
_____________________
 
Jun 19 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking13.76 Miles 2,299 AEG
Hiking13.76 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   4.35 mph
2,299 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
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Another quick pre-work hike...I got started around sunrise at 5AM on relatively quiet trails with temps in the mid-80s and climbing. I stuck to my usual route out to Dobbins, took a quick water break there, then headed back. The city added a lot of temporary signage reminding people about the 8AM-5PM trail closures on extreme heat days, though I'm not sure how strictly they enforce that--there were still quite a few people on the trails when I finished a little after 8AM. No interesting wildlife today, just glad to be done before it got hotter.
 
Jun 05 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking13.83 Miles 2,301 AEG
Hiking13.83 Miles   3 Hrs   13 Mns   4.32 mph
2,301 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I got an early start ~5AM for a morning pre-work hike. Falling back into the usual summer pattern, I headed for Dobbins Lookout and started up Marcos de Niza. The air had the sweet smell of wet desert, and there were a still a few puddles from Sunday's rain--the area around Hidden Valley was especially moist. Overall, not too many people out on the trails. Not much interesting wildlife, but there were more hummingbirds flying around than usual and quite a few lizards. I paused for a quick drink at the lookout, then started back and ran into TboneKathy a few miles from the trailhead, and I was done before 8:30AM.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Memorial
 
May 14 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Pima to Benchmark, AZ 
Pima to Benchmark, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 14 2025
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking11.28 Miles 2,096 AEG
Hiking11.28 Miles   3 Hrs   29 Mns   3.29 mph
2,096 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
Harvester benchmark. Saw a few hummingbirds and a bunny. Tender achilles tendon. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
  2 archives
May 13 2025
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 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Hidden Valley via Pima CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 13 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking6.65 Miles 1,595 AEG
Hiking6.65 Miles   2 Hrs   26 Mns   2.79 mph
1,595 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
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Another evening hike with HAZ’s most blocked member. Got started from Pima Canyon and promptly got lost in the parking lot as we decided what exactly we wanted to hike. Chumley not only put together a loop that had us blinded by the late afternoon sun, but somehow managed to seemingly feel like it was uphill 90% of the time. Impressive really. I whined accordingly.

We made our way west on Beacon Hill, Ridgeline, and Mormon Loop/Javelina Canyon. Warm, but a strong breeze kept things comfortable. After Mormon, we went through the tunnel end of Hidden Valley, then up past the crosses to Guadalupe Ridge. Three crosses now, large wood ones, two look newer than the third. Temps cooled nicely after the sun set. East on the Ridge, then finished up on Marcos De Niza.

Nice evening. Good workout. And an abundance of topics for us both to find plenty to complain about.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
May 13 2025
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 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Mormon Marcos Loop, AZ 
Mormon Marcos Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 13 2025
chumleyTriplogs 1,993
Hiking6.88 Miles 1,482 AEG
Hiking6.88 Miles   2 Hrs   26 Mns   2.83 mph
1,482 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Went counterclockwise and it was awful. Ridgeline and Mormon are awful. Guadalupe and Marcos have tons more uphill than they should. Go the other way.

Removed a couple of painted rocks. Did you know if you wipe "love" into toilet paper with your poop, you can leave it wherever you want? It's not trash if there's a positive message on it!
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  2 archives
May 09 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Two Peaks, AZ 
Two Peaks, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 09 2025
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking8.90 Miles 2,072 AEG
Hiking8.90 Miles   2 Hrs   37 Mns   3.51 mph
2,072 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 no routes
Normal route including Two Peaks and Hidden Valley.
Two flats (yesterday), Two Peaks, two snakes! :)
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
May 08 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 08 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking10.10 Miles 2,166 AEG
Hiking10.10 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   3.28 mph
2,166 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I had another slow morning at work, and TBK mentioned she was going for a hike at SoMo, so I tagged along. The clouds and cool temperatures from earlier in the week were gone, but the trails were still relatively quiet. We looped through Hidden Valley, over to Mormon Trailhead, then returned via Javelina Canyon. Nothing too interesting on this one, but good to get out again this week. A little warm by the end, but not too bad.
  1 archive
May 06 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 06 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking14.37 Miles 2,535 AEG
Hiking14.37 Miles   3 Hrs   14 Mns   4.44 mph
2,535 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I was tired of sitting around after one day of work, so I rolled the dice with the rain chances and got an early start at Pima Canyon...couldn't pass up the opportunity to be outside on a rare cloudy day in May with highs 20° below normal. I packed some rain gear just in case and started a little after 5AM, with no discernible sunrise through the thick clouds. The trails were blissfully quiet, and rabbits outnumbered humans over the first half of the hike. The western skies were very dark on the way out to Dobbins Lookout, but the rain stayed to the N/NW.

I still didn't see many people until I was back near the trailhead, and I was doing well timewise, so I went up and over Marcos de Niza again on the way back. Clouds, cool temps (low/mid-60s), and petrichor from start to finish, and never felt a drop of rain. Dreary, but nice day to be outside, and I was back home long before my first meeting of the day. I've been telling myself for more than a month, "This will probably be the last this spring with temperatures this nice!" One of these days, I'm going to be right.
 
May 04 2025
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 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Marcos De Niza - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 04 2025
KingLeonidasTriplogs 251
Hiking3.68 Miles 1,742 AEG
Hiking3.68 Miles   1 Hour   44 Mns   2.12 mph
1,742 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Quick Marcos De Niza Fitness hike on a Sunday. The wind made for some comfortable hiking.
_____________________
 
Apr 23 2025
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 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Marcos De Niza - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 23 2025
KingLeonidasTriplogs 251
Hiking5.72 Miles 873 AEG
Hiking5.72 Miles   1 Hour   19 Mns   4.34 mph
873 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Marcos De Niza has become our standby now that Eanair is with us. It is close enough that we can get there and back while still getting a wood workout with out overburdening the grandparent that are watching him too much.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.6 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 33  Next

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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