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Hiking | 13.10 Miles |
3,107 AEG |
| Hiking | 13.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 11 Mns | | 2.62 mph |
3,107 ft AEG | 11 Mns Break | | | |
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Partners |
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| no partners | | Met my buddy John while we were both in Scottsdale visiting family for Thanksgiving. Both of us were recovering from excessive dessert intake and needed to burn some serious calories.
After arriving at the Gateway trailhead at 7, we headed off for Tom's Thumb, which I had never actually been to (last time I was in the vicinity I took the spur to the Lookout instead). Being in Scottsdale, the trails are wide, clear, and manicured so we were off at a fairly good clip.
We did the lollipop in clockwise fashion, which meant our climb was shady. Really enjoyed the steep climb from the drainage below Tom's Thumb, my favorite part of the route.
The Thumb wasn't terribly crowded since we got going early enough. We rounded the pinnacle in counterclockwise fashion, trying to reach the "Indian Cave" noted by past visitors. The cave is cleared out, with a sign telling visitors to keep out for habitat restoration.
After leaving the Thumb we took a wrong turn, thinking a side trail was East End, but we figured it out. I'd heard East End was rough, and was looking forward to seeing a rough trail in the McDowells, but alas it was as manicured and developed as the rest. Definitely glad it was on the downhill side for us, since it was sunny.
I'd wanted to take a longer loop but John needed to be back to the car at noon, and we hit Windmill at 10:40. So we booked it through Windgate Pass and back to the parking lot. Made it at 12:18. Close enough!
Cut Route Scout and it reported we had gone precisely 13.1 miles, a half marathon! Except we didn't run it, so not sure if "speed hiking" qualifies.  |
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