Barb's Trail - MSPN • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 27 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	12.30 Miles	564 AEG

Hiking	12.30 Miles	4 Hrs 22 Mns	2.82 mph
	564 ft AEG

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I need to start catching up on chores at home, so I opted for a local hike, which was still over an hour drive to the TH

. Anyway, I started from the ATV trailhead at the north end of 136th St, which serves just as well as a TH for hiking into this north part of the MSPN. I did a loop of 136th St Express-Hawknest-Stagecoach-High Desert-Renegade-Dove Valley-Barb's Trail-136th St. Just over 12 miles. Made great time since the trails are level and smooth. Started at 6:30am in the dark and took the headlamp off before the first mile was completed.

I saw 2 deer as I turned off the Hawknest Trail onto the Stagecoach Trail, but they never stopped at all so I wasn't able to get a pic. Then on the Renegade Trail I saw a javelina and had the same issue. Lots of hawks along the Hawknest Trail, I guess that's why it's called that.

Not much traffic on the trails at all, which was kind of surprising. I saw one other hiker ahead of me on the High Desert Trail, and about 4 bikers.

The ATV TH has some vehicles parked when I got there, but nothing crazy. 2 hunters were field dressing what I think was a dove. Didn't notice a shotgun, which would be the typical tool to harvest one with

.

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Dec 25 2022

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 25 2022
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	4.00 Miles	150 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles
	150 ft AEG

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Hawknest - High Desert - Old Paint Wash - Dove Valley - Barb’s - 136th St Express
Four hikers and 5 bikers.
Didn't realize you can see Mount Lemmon from here! 110 miles away.

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1 archive

Nov 26 2020

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 26 2020
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	4.00 Miles	312 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	100 Mns	2.40 mph
	312 ft AEG

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no partners

Hawknest - High Desert - Old Paint - Dove - Barb - 136th
ATV tracks along Barb's trail

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2 archives

May 12 2018

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

MSPN loop, AZ

Hiking		May 12 2018
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	4.00 Miles	150 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	1 Hour 45 Mns	2.29 mph
	150 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

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136thSt - Hawknest - High Desert - Old Paint Wash - Dove Valley - Barb’s

Saw 14 mtn bikers and one snake (coachwhip, I think)

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1 archive

Mar 04 2018

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 04 2018
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	8.24 Miles	70 AEG

Hiking	8.24 Miles	1 Hour 46 Mns	4.66 mph
	70 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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no linked trail guides

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Early morning hike/jog in the Sonoran McDowell Preserve. I got to the Granite Mountain TH just in time to hear the coyotes say goodnight. I did a loop with the goal of incorporating the Barb Wire Trail. Started off on the 136 TH Express and then connected to the Barb Wire. From there I looped back on the following trails: Renegade - Desperado - Coyote Canyon - Granite Mountain Loop - Saddlehorn - Bootlegger. Love these trails. Not where I would like to be so I ending jogging and walking toward the end.

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Feb 11 2018

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

MSPN Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2018
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	9.50 Miles	900 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles	4 Hrs 20 Mns	2.59 mph
	900 ft AEG	40 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

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Hawknest - Stagecoach - High Desert - Dove Valley - Barb's - 136th Express.

Saw juniper at 2800' and "only" 14 mtn bikers. Nice breeze and cool - great weather.

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1 archive

Dec 11 2016

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 11 2016
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	10.00 Miles	900 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	4 Hrs 45 Mns	2.31 mph
	900 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

Partners

none

no partners

Back to the McDowell Preserve!
Hawknest-Stagecoach-High Desert-Renegade-Dove Vally-Barb’s-136th Street
Saw a coyote, a couple of hawks and jack rabbits.

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1 archive

Dec 01 2016

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

McDowell Preserve Phase 2C Loop, AZ

Hiking		Dec 01 2016
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	11.20 Miles	1,300 AEG

Hiking	11.20 Miles	5 Hrs 10 Mns	2.36 mph
	1,300 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

Broken Spoke Trail - MSPN

Old Camp Trail - MSPN

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Loop in MSPN far north area. Started from Tonto NF.

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1 archive

Nov 27 2016

North Diablo Trail - MSPN

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

North Diablo Trail - MSPN

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 27 2016
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	13.20 Miles	784 AEG

Hiking	13.20 Miles	5 Hrs 5 Mns	2.60 mph
	784 ft AEG

Linked

7 linked trail guides

South Diablo Trail - MSPN

The Divide Trail - MSPN

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Went back up this area to do a few more trails I haven't hiked yet. Took 136th St. to Barb's Trail, Renegade and High Desert and The Divide Trails. Then I did the North and South Diablo Trails, including all the inter-braided loops marked "most difficult", which they weren't really at all. At the end of the South Diablo Trail, I was on the Divide Trail headed north when I saw the junction for a trail that cut across the unmapped area. I decided to take this as it was headed in the direction I was going (back to the car) and it looked like a shortcut. It junctions on the north end with the High Desert Trail again, which saved me probably over a half mile of hiking. From the High Desert Trail, I took Dove Valley back to the east side via Barb's and 136th St. again.

didn't see any other hikers, and even the number of bikers was pretty low. I think I've seen more people out there in the heat of the summer. The temperature was much cooler than it has been recently thanks to the clouds. No interesting wildlife spotted, barely even chipmunks or rabbits.

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Nov 13 2016

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 13 2016
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	10.60 Miles	622 AEG

Hiking	10.60 Miles	3 Hrs 55 Mns	2.71 mph
	622 ft AEG

Linked

Cow Poke Trail - MSPN

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Got out for a quick morning hike with a later kickoff for the Steelers, doing a few more trails I haven't hiked yet. Right at dawn I saw another saguaro with about 5 hawks sitting on the tops of all the arms.

I took the 136th St. Express Trail and finished of the last section of that I hadn't done, then did a figure 8 of the Dove Valley, Cowpoke and Old Paint Wash Trails, the took the Old Paint Wash Trail up to the Soapberry Wash Trail, Desperado Trail, then went east on the Coyote Canyon Trail, back to the Dove Valley Trail, and did a section of the Renegade Trail. I circled back taking the Renegade-Soapberry Wash connector to Soapberry, then got back on the Renegade eastward again to 136th St and back to the TH.

I was hoping to finish up a section of the Cholla Mtn Trail, but if I did that, it would have been over 15 miles, which is more than I wanted to do today. I also forgot to take my snacks, so I was ready to get home for lunch.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Saguaro - Crested

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Michelin Man Saguaro

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Oct 04 2016

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Renegade - Diablos - Desperado, AZ

Hiking		Oct 04 2016
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	10.20 Miles	556 AEG

Hiking	10.20 Miles	4 Hrs 30 Mns	2.45 mph
	556 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

Linked

11 linked trail guides

North Diablo Trail - MSPN

The Divide Trail - MSPN

South Diablo Trail - MSPN

Branding Iron Trail - MSPN

Granite Mountain Loop Trail - MSPN

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Back to MSPN :roll:

Barb’s

Dove Valley :next:

Renegade

High Desert :next:

The Divide :next:

N. Diablo

S. Diablo

Branding Iron :next:

Granite Mountain Loop :next:

Coyote Canyon :next:

Desperado

Renegade

136th Express :next:

Barb’s

Saw 2 mountain bikers and some evidence of motor bikes coming in from 136th St

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Humboldt Mountain

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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1 archive

Sep 11 2016

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Old Camp Trail - MSPN

Old Camp Trail - MSPN

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 11 2016
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	14.00 Miles	817 AEG

Hiking	14.00 Miles	4 Hrs 52 Mns	2.88 mph
	817 ft AEG

Linked

Broken Spoke Trail - MSPN

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Went back up to the northern part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to hike more trails I haven't done before the start of football season. I started at the end of 136th St. again and hiked my way over to the Old Camp Trail and back again. I took 136th St. Express, Barb's Trail, Old Paint Wash Trail, High Desert Trail, Hawknest, Dove Valley, Stagecoach, Old Camp, Hawknest again, Stagecoach again, then Dove Valley all the way back to Barb's to 136th St. Express and back to my car.

I only saw 2 hikers very early and then a few bikers after that. I think for the last 3.5 hours of my hike I didn't see anyone. on the Dove Valley Trail right before the step over gate at the NW corner of the park there was a diamondback lying on the trail. I got some pics and walked around him, going off trail for a bit. He turned his head to look at me a bit as I inched closer to him, so I decided not to get him riled up for the sake of a nicer pic with him all coiled up.

There's a map and kiosk up in that NW corner of the park at the step over gate. Not sure if it's ok to park here, although it seems kind of remote to drive to.

Hiked over a half marathon this morning, total time 4 hours, 57 mins, with only 5 min, 31 seconds of total non-moving time. Not really even sore, I think the beastly hike Wally and I did last week on Mt. Lemmon helped with that.

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Aug 21 2016

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 21 2016
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	6.50 Miles	376 AEG

Hiking	6.50 Miles	3 Hrs 34 Mns	2.47 mph
	376 ft AEG	56 Mns Break

no routes

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Last night had a hike rained out - was determined to get in a good hike this morning. Set alarm for 4:30am. Got close to Tonto on 136th St by 5:45am. Was spit raining - huge wall of rain over Brown's Mtn. MyWeather radar app showed it moving away from my planned area. I basically didn't care - was getting this hike in.

Plan was to do entirety of Renegade now that signs are up. Last times on Renegade I did the "Heaven Hill" portion but didn't know how it connected to other trails on either side. Knew generalities but not names or details. So I used TrailForks map to see where I was going when I wasn't near a sign since the new City map won't be out for another week or so.

136th St Express down to start of Renegade :next:

to the end of Renegade and backtracked to Desperado :next:

down to Soapberry Wash (and intersection with Michelin Man cactus) :next:

Soapberry to Renegade connector :next:

Dove Valley :next:

Barb's

136th.

Temp was 73 at start and low 80's when I finished. I took 56 minutes of break. Mostly laying around on top of Heaven Hill watching sun break though cloud layers and thinking how much I loved the quiet and solitude but simultaneously wished I wasn't alone. I haven't had a drink in 42 days and feel so much better - skin/hair/clothes fitting so much better. Nothing horrible made me stop. Just felt like need for alcohol was escalating and was using it to get dissociative from daily life. Not healthy. And not drinking on Fri/Sat nights makes it much easier to get up crack of dawn for hikes.

Because of the rain and storms - I was the only human out on trails for at least two hours. You get panoramic views from the three bumps/hills on Renegade - - cloud cover was just wonderful. Bugs were intensely awful and I had to keep a rag on my nose/mouth for most of the hike to keep from vacuuming them up as I walked. Still worth it to get out on these trails before word gets out how great they are. Rain+alarm clock+bugs == no one else out there LOL.

I am posting a crap ton of photos because it was just so beautiful. Side note: I am far behind posting triplogs from spring. I know how to make it not show up on main page. Will slowly get those filled in. And somehow I need to get motivation to write up these hike descriptions.

Route Scout app rocks. I love uploading to HAZ. And TrailForks has one mislabeled section of Renegade and is missing two short connectors.

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Xenolith

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Michelin Man Saguaro

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
white ratany, desert senna, barrel cactus blooms

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Aug 07 2016

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

McDowell Sonoran Preserve North, AZ

Hiking		Aug 07 2016
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	12.10 Miles	579 AEG

Hiking	12.10 Miles	4 Hrs 37 Mns	2.62 mph
	579 ft AEG

Linked

7 linked trail guides

The Divide Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

After finding out about the legal parking lot at the end of 136th St., thanks to Crzy4AZ's forum post, I was eager to get back up to this area and start some of these newer trails. It doesn't take long after the pavement ends that 136th St. starts to get a bit gnarly. Nothing a standard sedan shouldn't be able to handle in dry weather, though.

I started with the 136th St. Express Trail at Montello, headed south, then made a right turn heading west on the Hawknest Trail. I took that all the way out to the Stagecoach Trail, then headed south on that trail to the High Desert Trail and headed east. After that I headed north, back up towards the Hawknest Trail, and did a mini loop of a few short trail segments there before heading east again on the Dove Valley Trail. I finished up taking Barb's Trail NE to 136th St. Express again and headed back to my car. 12.1 miles total.

The heat wasn't too bad, but it was picking up by the time I finished. There were breezes often enough that it made things pretty bearable. I used my new hoodie t-shirt to keep the sun off my head some, and that also helped a bit. Saw a little bit of wildlife this time. Right at the start I saw 2 doe, but was only able to get a photo of one. Saw a rabbit and a desert hare that each stayed still long enough for me to get decent photos. Saw more bikers up here than hikers, which is pretty standard, especially with the heat. Looking forward to get back to this area to finish these trails.

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Apr 23 2016

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Hawksnest - High Desert Loop, AZ

Hiking		Apr 23 2016
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	17.35 Miles	794 AEG

Hiking	17.35 Miles	5 Hrs 49 Mns		3.11 mph
	794 ft AEG	14 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

Linked

Brown's Mountain Trail - MSPN

Corral Trail - MSPN

Buckshot Trail - MSPN

Partners

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Stayed local and tried the northern part of the park. Saw no hikers, but plenty of bikers. Winds kept it cool.
The Saguaros, Cholla and Prickly Pear are a week from bursting open. Select ones were open today.
Special treat was to watch a pappa Hawk feeding it's young.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Harris Hawk

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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

1 archive

Apr 02 2016

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2016
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	3.50 Miles	101 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1 Hour 34 Mns	2.36 mph
	101 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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God I love this loop. Arrived off 136th St random pull out just before sunrise. This loop at sunrise is phenomenal. Watching sun come into Coyote Canyon and light up Michelin Man cactus....amazing. Scattered flowers see report below. Whole day today after hike dedicated to packing up kids and me for Masters week in Augusta. Flying out tomorrow (Sunday).

Barb's :next:

Dove Valley :next:

Soapberry Wash through the granite area (not the bike bypass) :next:

future Desperado trail (has Michelin Man cactus on it) :next:

Coyote Canyon :next:

Dove Valley :next:

Barb's in a lasso loop.

Wildflowers Observation Light
purple thistle, white ratany, owl clover, banana yucca blooms, brittle bush (rare), those dandelion looking things.

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Feb 24 2016

Sun_Ray

Routes 144
Photos 1,145
Triplogs 1,238

77 male

Joined Sep 09 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 24 2016
		Sun_Ray • Triplogs 1,238

Hiking	5.24 Miles	335 AEG

Hiking	5.24 Miles	2 Hrs 24 Mns	2.18 mph
	335 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Cow Poke Trail - MSPN

Partners

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no partners

I did it! Completed all the trails added to the Northern Section Map in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve dated August 2015. These are the trails that are North of Brown's, Cholla and Granite Mountains. They total about 30 miles, but that's not the point as you need to hike many miles just to get to them. Pretty sure Crzy4AZ has completed them also but is behind on her triplogs. That means HAZ'ers are 2 of the 4 hikers to complete ALL the trails in the preserve. I also think we are the only ones that hiked them all versus others who used their mountain bike on many of the trails.

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Brian
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday......there is no SOMEDAY!

1 archive

Feb 07 2016

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 07 2016
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	7.00 Miles	250 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles	3 Hrs 35 Mns	2.47 mph
	250 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

Linked

Partners

none

no partners

Wanted to get back to Renegade trail (did not know name at the time - and won't be on maps until fall 2016).

Barb's :next:

Dove Valley :next:

Renegade

Soapberry Wash (Michelin man cactus) :next:

Coyote Canyon :next:

Dove Valley :next:

High Desert :next:

Hawknest

136th St Express back to Barb's intersection.

Cold. Sunrise. Light incredible up on hill of Renegade.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Saguaro - Crested

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cupule Hohokam Mano and Metate

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Jan 29 2016

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 29 2016
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	7.00 Miles	400 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles
	400 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

I can't link all the trails now b/c they don't exist yet but will by Fall 2016. They were finished but not open yet when I hiked them.
Hawknest :next:

High Desert :next:

Renegade

Dove Valley :next:

Barb's

136th St Express.

Renegade is absolutely gorgeous. Little hill sharp turns - panoramic views.

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Jan 18 2016

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2016
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	5.90 Miles	239 AEG

Hiking	5.90 Miles	1 Hour 48 Mns	3.28 mph
	239 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked