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Helipad Trail - South Mountain - 6 members in 29 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
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29 triplogs
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Jan 19 2026
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Telegraph - Corona loop, AZ 
Telegraph - Corona loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking10.94 Miles 2,281 AEG
Hiking10.94 Miles   4 Hrs   6 Mns   2.71 mph
2,281 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
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Slept in too late to do the original hike I’d planned. Opted for a quick drive instead. Parked off Desert Foothills abd accessed Desert Classic thru the neighborhood. West on DC. Telegraph Pass was a retard pooeyshow, and that’s putting it nicely. I’m losing tolerance for people who venture outdoors with absolutely zero planning for what they are doing—no water, no map, no common sense. Nobody ends up on a hiking trail by accident, yet they act utterly confused by the activity. I told at least three different hikers with dumb questions “I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.” They don’t have to know I could hike Telegraph with my eyes closed. One little boy, about five years old, was funny though. Hiking in pajamas, he was telling his mom he was in desperate need of a ham and cheese sandwich with pickles. I hope he got it, because he earned it.

At the pass, east on National, where the circus was left behind. Still had some shade in places. At the high point of National, chatted with one hiker who seemed to be of normal intelligence. After that, I headed up to Gila Valley Lookout, then continued east on Natl. Down Corona, then west on DC before hopping onto Guadalupe Perimeter and taking that all the way west. Hot by that point, although I was informed via text that it was less than 70 degrees. Zero sympathy for my having to be out in direct sunlight.

Good workout. Still liking the new T1 trail runners. Very light and grippy. I need to try them out on a longer hike.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Brittlebush, scorpionweed, lupine, poppies, bladderpod, mustard.
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
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Jan 17 2026
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 17 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.66 Miles 831 AEG
Hiking4.66 Miles   1 Hour   49 Mns   2.61 mph
831 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
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realm09
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Short hike with Reagan. Hot. No breeze.
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Jan 04 2026
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Somo Oasis, AZ 
Somo Oasis, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.00 Miles 863 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   58 Mns   2.11 mph
863 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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I had recently seen a post on social media of an “oasis” on Somo. The poster was gatekeeping the location, but the two pics she posted online were enough for me to figure out the location via satellite with about a 95% confidence level I would be correct.

I brought Mike and Harlow with me since I knew it would be a short hike. Parked off Desert Broom, took the access to Desert Classic, then up Guadalupe Perimeter towards the Helipad. Once a top the ridge, I could immediately tell my guess was correct. Stayed east on GP to just past the east side of Tapestry Canyon, then down a good use trail to the “oasis”. Lots of palm trees, other trees, greenery, and several spots of standing water. I could not discern if there was a water source, or if this water had managed to last since the last rain.

After looking around, we retraced our steps out, although there are several different route options. Kind of a neat little location.
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Dec 26 2025
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 26 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.06 Miles 716 AEG
Hiking4.06 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   2.16 mph
716 ft AEG      6 Mns Break
 
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Went up to the helipad with Harlow and Mike. Parked in the neighborhood, up Guadalupe Perimeter to the helipad, then east. Back west on Desert Classic to complete the loop.

Great clouds and a cool breeze. I think this might be the most aeg Mike has hiked since his surgery.
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Feb 14 2025
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 14 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.69 Miles 708 AEG
Hiking4.69 Miles   1 Hour   50 Mns   2.65 mph
708 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
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Short hike with the dog. Started from Telegraph, east on Desert Classic, Guadalupe Perimeter, up to the Helipad, then retraced our steps down. Some light rain to start, then it got sunny. I liked the rain. A ranger was hanging out at the trailhead, maybe because several vehicles have been broken into there this week. I struggle to find sympathy for people who leave their wallets in their vehicles—don’t make it easier to be a victim.
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Feb 05 2025
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female
 Joined Dec 09 2024
 
Helipad Loop, AZ 
Helipad Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 05 2025
DesertNymphTriplogs 124
Hiking7.20 Miles 921 AEG
Hiking7.20 Miles   2 Hrs   28 Mns   2.92 mph
921 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Needed something short-ish and with easy ability to bail if something surfaced while trail-testing some new shoes. Realized after my last adventure out that my shoe tread was running bald in spots and the mesh uppers were starting to tear at stress points. The new kicks are definitely stiffer and feel narrower than what I've been wearing lately (different make and style), but that's what was in the closet...and at some point, that brand of boot/shoe worked for me so fingers crossed they still do.

A number of trail runners, hikers (a few with pups), and of course mountainbikers were encountered on my loop. While it was a bit warm, it didn't seem too hot to be out on the mountain this morning. Views towards phoenix and out towards the four peaks were somewhat hazy with a low blanket of ick visible over the city. Views out to the estrellas looked more clear. Occasional sounds of ongoing landscaping work filtered up into the area, but no traffic noise was apparent, which was nice. Spotted one scampering antelope squirrel, a few birds and got to follow a bevy of quail for a while - it was nice to hear their chatter.

Trails were as expected, it's a quick climb up to the helipad (no more evidence of the holidays up here, the last of the ornaments look to have been removed), and a nice ramble along the foothills of south mountain to finish off the loop.

Jury is still out on what I think about the new shoes...feet are slightly tender, but they didn't outright object to the change in footwear. Guess I'll need to get more miles in them to see!
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Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually 😆
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Jan 28 2025
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 28 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.32 Miles 615 AEG
Hiking4.32 Miles   1 Hour   54 Mns   2.38 mph
615 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
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Quick hike with the dog. Parked in the Richmond Heights neighborhood. Up Helipad, then looped around on Guadalupe Perimeter, and returned on Desert Classic. Warm, but not terrible. Lots of toppled saguaros.
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Nov 30 2024
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 30 2024
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking2.74 Miles 462 AEG
Hiking2.74 Miles   1 Hour   43 Mns   2.22 mph
462 ft AEG      29 Mns Break
 
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Glorified dog walk up to the helipad. Ran into some friends up top and ended up hiking with them back to the neighborhood. Somehow got roped into agreeing to flying in a tiny plane out to an airstrip in the middle of nowhere to go target shooting. If I suddenly disappear, that’s going to be the first clue as to where to begin the search…
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May 15 2024
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56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 15 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,444
Hiking8.74 Miles 1,326 AEG
Hiking8.74 Miles
1,326 ft AEG
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My thought was to do the Helipad Trail and then do some gridding of the area. Parked at the Telegraph TH and got started around 5am. Started on the Telegraph and then took the DC towards “Helipad Hill”. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but before I could reach (what I think of, as) the Helipad Trail, I encountered the Guadalupe Perimater Trail. I feel like this trail goes everywhere on the south side of SoMo. The Guadalupe Trail actually worked for me since I wanted to “grid” the area. I took that up to the top, briefly explored some of the trails that headed towards the homes and then came down the steeper Helipad Trail. Once I got back on the DC I headed east to the next connection to the Guadalupe Trail. Headed south from here and started to explore a network of social trails that run wild between the homes and the Guadalupe Trail. I’ve been back there once before and it feels like the “trail system” has grown. There is one wash back there, that is incredibly lush with growth. When I was back there years ago, I could have sworn that there was water trickling in the wash. Not so on this visit, the wash was dry. But the vibrancy of the plants seems to indicate that the water isn’t that far from the surface. I did a little bit of back and forth following the trails. Some headed toward homes and I did just enough to track it on my Garmin. Lot more to do in this area. I encountered 15 users altogether, 5 of which were bikers.
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Dec 16 2023
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 16 2023
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking2.73 Miles 495 AEG
Hiking2.73 Miles   1 Hour   11 Mns   2.56 mph
495 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
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watermelonW
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Quick hike with Wyatt and Harlow up to the Helipad. Nice sunset. Warm.
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Jun 19 2023
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 Guides 72
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 Photos 1,480
 Triplogs 1,524

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Ray Road Access Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2023
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,524
Hiking9.27 Miles 1,213 AEG
Hiking9.27 Miles   2 Hrs   29 Mns   3.76 mph
1,213 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
presumably took memories and left without a trace...
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  2 archives
Jan 22 2023
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ 
Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 22 2023
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking10.00 Miles 1,825 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles   4 Hrs   22 Mns   2.43 mph
1,825 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
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Met up with a friend and South Mtn seemed to be the best choice due to time limitations. Up Telegraph, east on National. Natl has seen some recent maintenance, probably for the recent annual trek. Down Corona. West on Desert Classic, then hopped onto Guadalupe Perimeter/Helipad before getting back on Desert Classic to finish the loop. Nothing exciting, but it’s a hike. Nice & cool temps.
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  1 archive
Dec 23 2022
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 Guides 112
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 Triplogs 2,733

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 23 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking2.74 Miles 469 AEG
Hiking2.74 Miles   1 Hour   29 Mns   1.96 mph
469 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
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watermelonW
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Quick hike with the kids and dog up to the helipad. They like to see the Christmas tree up there. I’m fairly certain the helipad is just barely outside the park boundary, so I don’t really care if it’s there or not. Cool, but not cold.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Holiday Spirit
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 29 2022
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 Guides 72
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 Photos 1,480
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male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 29 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,524
Hiking12.56 Miles 1,331 AEG
Hiking12.56 Miles   2 Hrs   46 Mns   4.54 mph
1,331 ft AEG
 
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Meh, probably more fun in a helicopter!
  2 archives
Oct 12 2022
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 Guides 112
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 Photos 9,470
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 12 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking2.45 Miles 462 AEG
Hiking2.45 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   2.33 mph
462 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
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Another training hike with Harlow. Helipad trail works out well since it starts from the corner of my kids’ school. Instead of them taking the bus this morning, I let them sleep in an extra 20 minutes, then dropped them off when we parked for the hike.

Crossed back and forth between the old and new trail while heading up and down. The old trail is more direct, but steep and rocky; the new trail adds some distance, but is much smoother. As expected, saw lots of hikers, bikers, and dogs. Plenty of shade though.
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 16 2022
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 Guides 72
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 Photos 1,480
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male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Helipad Trail via Telegraph Pass, AZ 
Helipad Trail via Telegraph Pass, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 16 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,524
Hiking7.68 Miles 1,470 AEG
Hiking7.68 Miles   2 Hrs   12 Mns   3.49 mph
1,470 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Approached via Goat from Desert Classic.
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Aug 26 2022
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 Guides 72
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 Photos 1,480
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male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Helipad Happy Hour, AZ 
Helipad Happy Hour, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 26 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,524
Hiking6.16 Miles 808 AEG
Hiking6.16 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   3.19 mph
808 ft AEG      37 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Returned to DC via Goat.
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Feb 07 2022
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ 
Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 07 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking12.26 Miles 2,284 AEG
Hiking12.26 Miles   4 Hrs   44 Mns   2.63 mph
2,284 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
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Started up Telegraph around 0830 or so. Not many people on the trail. Warm breeze from the southeast. With these temps and wind, California could be on fire by the end of the week.

East on National, which had some nice shade. Side trip on Holbert to Dobbins Lookout. The Natives were selling jewelry in the parking lot. Once back on National, continued east, then down Corona.

Took Corona down to Desert Classic, then west on DC. Side detour on Helipad/Guadalupe Perimeter trail then back on DC to finish out the loop. Saw one trail runner twice—once on National, and once on DC, we were doing almoat the same loop in opposite directions, but I think he started from Warpaint. Warm for the last few miles.
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  3 archives
Dec 18 2021
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Helipad Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 18 2021
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking4.52 Miles 661 AEG
Hiking4.52 Miles   2 Hrs   13 Mns   2.17 mph
661 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
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Evening hike with the kids up to the Helipad. Started from Telegraph and headed east on Desert Classic and Guadalupe Perimeter. There is a large Christmas tree up on the helipad, as usual. No headlamps needed thanks to the moonlight.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Holiday Spirit
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Aug 10 2021
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 Guides 112
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 Photos 9,470
 Triplogs 2,733

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Telegraph - Corona loop, AZ 
Telegraph - Corona loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 10 2021
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,733
Hiking9.74 Miles 1,811 AEG
Hiking9.74 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.46 mph
1,811 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
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Started a little after 0800 and headed up Telegraph. Light rain most of the way, and the trail has definitely suffered some recent erosion.

At the pass, I hadn’t quite decided what I wanted to do today, but opted to head east on National. I like that stretch of National between Telegraph and Corona. Not much rain on that section, but a nice breeze, and patches of fog.

Headed down Corona, which is not too bad even with wet rocks since they are mostly rough. Only a few spots required caution. The clouds were moving out by that point and it was getting warmer.

West on Desert Classic, then I hopped over to the “new” Guadalupe Perimeter trail and took that west. I can’t tell if this trail is fully complete yet, because it does not match the master plan. It’s mostly just existing social trails with some new sections tied in, but it’s more enjoyable than Desert Classic. Headed up the portion that used to be Helipad, then reconnected with DC on the west side of that hill. By then, most of the clouds were gone and there was no breeze. Very muggy.

West on Desert Classic another mile or so then finished up on the paved section of Telegraph. Good day for this hike. Saw one coyote along the Helipad section, which I followed on the trail for about a quarter-mile. South Mountain is about as green as I think it can be for August.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
average hiking speed 2.42 mph
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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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