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Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash Loop - 1 member in 16 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
16 triplogs
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Mar 29 2025
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Belmont Finisher, AZ 
Belmont Finisher, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Mar 29 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog13.10 Miles 1,188 AEG
Run/Jog13.10 Miles   3 Hrs   6 Mns   4.47 mph
1,188 ft AEG      10 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Finishing off the trails on the east end of Tucson Mountain district of SNP. Lot of wash stuff on the route i did today. Went by Picture Rocks and out to a few different parts of the park boundry.
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Mar 09 2025
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Going Places in Saguaro West, AZ 
Going Places in Saguaro West, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 09 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Hiking23.90 Miles 3,357 AEG
Hiking23.90 Miles   6 Hrs   25 Mns   3.87 mph
3,357 ft AEG      14 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Went crazy on a huge loop in Saguaro West. Beautiful day :) :)
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  2 archives
May 03 2024
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 Guides 16
 Routes 81
 Photos 1,269
 Triplogs 1,144

51 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 03 2024
azdesertfatherTriplogs 1,144
Hiking7.60 Miles 705 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   3 Hrs   37 Mns   2.33 mph
705 ft AEG      21 Mns Break2 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Took Vertical Cliffs Trail over to Yuma Mine Wash. Hoped I could follow the fence line of Saguaro West to make it over, but cactus and other growth was too thick. Backtracked and took Vertical Cliffs over to Coyote Pass Trail to Cactus Canyon to Picture Rocks Wash Trail to the turnoff to the mine at the Ringtail Trail junction.

Arrived at the mine to see it was gated off with warnings and threats of steep fines and months in jail, so I didn’t check it out. Rather than going all the way back around, we bushwhacked up the ridge to get a good view of the mine below, then back down the ridge to Coyote Pass. On the way out we took Abington to Veterans to Animal Wash Trail, and back.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
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"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
 
Nov 15 2023
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Gila Monster LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Nov 15 2023
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog6.25 Miles 604 AEG
Run/Jog6.25 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   5.43 mph
604 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
From the Belmont TH. did the loop in the opposite direction that i usually do and it was enjoyable. Did some strides at the end.
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hi
 
Sep 09 2023
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Sep 09 2023
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog6.60 Miles 575 AEG
Run/Jog6.60 Miles   1 Hour   15 Mns   5.35 mph
575 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
no photosets
mercilessly hot but i got a little cloud cover.
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hi
  2 archives
Mar 04 2023
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Saguaro West Loop, AZ 
Saguaro West Loop, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Mar 04 2023
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog20.18 Miles 2,858 AEG
Run/Jog20.18 Miles   4 Hrs   54 Mns   4.29 mph
2,858 ft AEG      12 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Big Loop starting from Camboh

Camboh - ironwood forest - mule deer - ringtail - coyote pass - gila monster -abbington/vertical cliffs loop - cactus canyon - thunderbird - sweetwater - kings canyon - esperanza - golden gate. Probably something else i forgot lol.

totally beautiful day. felt good!
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hi
 
Feb 05 2023
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 05 2023
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog6.20 Miles 594 AEG
Run/Jog6.20 Miles   1 Hour   15 Mns   4.96 mph
594 ft AEG
 
no photosets
Fun route on a picture perfect day. One more night to go
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Dec 20 2022
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Dec 20 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog8.15 Miles 760 AEG
Run/Jog8.15 Miles   1 Hour   31 Mns   5.49 mph
760 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
no photosets
cold morning. tried to take it easy. still feeling worn down after the week of nights. fun route. ran some of the access points just to check them out
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hi
 
Oct 01 2022
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Saguaro West Ramble, AZ 
Saguaro West Ramble, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Oct 01 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog22.30 Miles 2,992 AEG
Run/Jog22.30 Miles   5 Hrs   23 Mns   4.30 mph
2,992 ft AEG      12 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
big long run through saguaro west. started at 545 to beat the heat as best as possible. humidity was still up. hard to carry enough water but I managed.

fun route that held my interest. The last few miles got painful but overall I felt pretty good
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Aug 27 2022
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Cam-Boh TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Aug 27 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog12.15 Miles 968 AEG
Run/Jog12.15 Miles   2 Hrs   37 Mns   4.96 mph
968 ft AEG      10 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 
long run starting from camboh TH. started at 7 and that was ok for the first hour. started roasting at 8. lot of spider webs on the trail. did not see anyone.
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  1 archive
Aug 23 2022
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 23 2022
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Hiking3.75 Miles 240 AEG
Hiking3.75 Miles      40 Mns   5.77 mph
240 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
needed a change of pace for a shorter run and this was a nice alternative
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Jan 12 2022
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 Guides 104
 Routes 256
 Photos 16,118
 Triplogs 528

53 male
 Joined Dec 30 2005
 Tucson, AZ
Vertical Cliffs Abington and Animal Wash LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 12 2022
Mike_WTriplogs 528
Hiking4.80 Miles 350 AEG
Hiking4.80 Miles   3 Hrs      1.60 mph
350 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It was a cool overcast day with a high of 70. Perfect day for hiking in my opinion. Hiked this one with lovely Dulce Carolina. We did some exploring nearby this route but didn't find much besides what was in the guide. The windmill was not spinning but appeared to be operational. We saw a fence that bordered private property. We found an abandoned mine that was filled in and sealed. Saw some amazing saguaro cactus with about 8 arms.
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Michael Williams
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Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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Nov 29 2020
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Gila Monster LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Nov 29 2020
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog8.37 Miles 768 AEG
Run/Jog8.37 Miles   1 Hour   36 Mns   5.46 mph
768 ft AEG      4 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
started from contzen pass and linked together a bunch of trails for a fun route out in saguaro west

actually saw some people today, a rarety out there

took a slow pace. feeling beat up
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Nov 03 2018
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Gila Monster LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
 Run/Jog avatar Nov 03 2018
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
 Run/Jog8.07 Miles 720 AEG
 Run/Jog8.07 Miles   1 Hour   40 Mns   5.10 mph
720 ft AEG      5 Mns Break3 LBS Pack
 
made a hodge podge loop out of a bunch of trails after driving out to run wasson and finding golden gate road closed ](*,)

really nice morning. actually saw a few people though the trails seem to not have been used much lately
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Oct 30 2017
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Coyote Pass Trail - Saguaro NP WestTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Oct 30 2017
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,124
Run/Jog7.32 Miles 580 AEG
Run/Jog7.32 Miles   1 Hour   28 Mns   5.11 mph
580 ft AEG      2 Mns Break1 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
took a chill pace on this one. very nice morning. these trails are rough for running but still enjoyable to me
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  1 archive
Sep 29 2017
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 Guides 187
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 Triplogs 864

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Vertical Cliffs Abington Trail and Yuma Mine, AZ 
Vertical Cliffs Abington Trail and Yuma Mine, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 29 2017
markthurman53Triplogs 864
Hiking6.90 Miles 800 AEG
Hiking6.90 Miles   3 Hrs   24 Mns   2.56 mph
800 ft AEG      42 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
With this hike in Saguaro National Park West I will have completed my goal to hike all the official trails of the park and a few unofficial. It is actually ironic that I lived in Tucson almost my whole life and only hiked one trail in this park and that was back in 1970. This hike starts out on West Belmont Road on the far Northeast side of the park and travels along the Vertical Cliffs Trail, Abington Trail and Animal Wash Trail. I took a side trip to the Yuma Mine and also tried out a route between the Picture Rocks Wash Trail and the Vertical Cliffs Trail. The highlight of the hike of coarse was the Yuma Mine, lots of history covering 140 years. The mine was left as it was when it shut down in the 1980's and the subsequent clean up of the gold mining cyanide and eventual turn over to the park in early 2000's. The wood building below the mine are gone but the wood structure that leads into the main mine is still there. Spent about an hour looking around this area. From the mine I continued on along an old road that leads to the Picture Rocks Wash Trail. I returned to the Vertical Cliffs Trail and continued on the loop to the Abington and Animal Wash trails. At the junction with the Vertical Cliffs and Abington Trail there is an Aermotor wind mill that I found out is still operating when the wind picked up. Not sure if it is pumping water I didn't think to look that close. I continued west on the Abington Trail for .2 miles to the Junction with the Gila Monster Trail. I didn't know these trails in the far Northeast side of the park existed until a few weeks ago when I was hiking the Gila Monster Trail I saw the sign for the Abington Trail. Many of the park maps do not list any of these trails I'm doing today, Especially the Yuma Mine since it is not an official trail. The hike back along the Abington and Animal wash Trails was uneventful with your usual lower desert scenery. This trail is best done early in the morning or evening when the sun does it's thing enhancing the color of the scenery. Now that Iv'e finished Saguaro National Park West I will have to plan my next area, I am eyeing the Galiuros and of coarse the Superstitions.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Windmill
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average hiking speed 2.16 mph

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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