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| Hiking | 19.26 Miles |
4,088 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.26 Miles | 8 Hrs 26 Mns | | 2.77 mph |
| 4,088 ft AEG | 1 Hour 29 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | The I-17 Flex Lanes are in operation. 
Since Bruce hadn't been higher than 76 feet ASL in over a month, and certainly hadn't ascended more than that, I dialed back a 5k+ day plan to something that might ease beachboy into the mountains. The best laid plans ... blah blah blah ... I had forgotten that Coconino NF closes some roads near Flagstaff during stage 2 fire restrictions. People can still recreate wherever they want, because people don't pose a potential fire danger. But motor vehicles are prohibited from some dirt roads, because vehicles apparently do risky things that people do not do when not in the proximity of their vehicles. I would argue that this wouldn't stand up in court, or make any sense, except I think it may be factual that people in the proximity of their vehicles cause more fires than people not near vehicles. 
So, anyway, we quickly pulled up some HAZ maps and came up with other options that might justify the drive and wouldn't be a holiday weekend clusterflock. I offered up a 10mi/2kft option kicking the O'leary lantern, but ptown thought doubling it would be more fun. I have no immediate objections until I complain later. 
I don't usually drive two hours to hike another town's version of Camelback, and apparently it's been a decade since I did this last (and first/only!).
It took about 6 miles to get up the hill, way more than I was planning. There's some interesting trail routing down below which seems to attempt to maximize mileage over efficiency, a theme we would later learn is common here. Heart is exposed, but it was a nice day so a little sun wasn't awful.
Sunset hits the burn area pretty quickly, but is still enjoyable and scenic. It has a couple of new switchbacks climbing out of the Down Under junction west of Little Elden.
Brookbank has new tread north of peak 8819 and takes a much wider loop north of 8747 and downhill west of there. We took an "offtrail" shortcut down the drainage between 8747 and 8819 (there was a nice old cut to follow) that saved about 4.5 miles off the new official Brookbank route.
From here, we discovered that Upper Oldham has been decommissioned from top to bottom. The first part follows a cut that used to be called Middle Oldham, and the rest of it is all new trail (there are apparently no longer lower, middle, or upper versions; just one complete Oldham). Formerly 2 miles, the route is now nearly doubled at 3.7 miles. Previously this was a steep trail. Now, the switchbacks are so plentiful and mild that they are ideal for ebike riders with dead batteries. Going uphill it was tolerable. Going downhill you'd lose your mind.
I'm not trained in trail building, but I'm naturally gifted in complaining about what clearly doesn't meet the quality of all those old skool CCC trails we have all become so accustomed to. This new trail cut makes a horrible attempt at a consistent grade, with numerous 10-15 foot stretches of staircase-type grade, followed immediately by a short flat or drop. There is no way to establish or maintain a comfortable hiking pace. It's probably a whole lot of fun whoopdeedoo on a bike though. And maybe that was the point?
Finally back up top, we took south Sunset up toward the summit before cutting across to the descent via Lookout. Bruce bitched more than my last 5 paragraphs, but I sort of enjoyed this stretch. Afternoon shade, cool temps, and a nicely worn path took us down quite efficiently. A refreshing change in trail design!
We took the north route on Fatman and missed a turn. Did a short XC before piecing together about 12 different unofficial user routes along the foothill slopes back to the truck. Almost certainly created by mountain bikers, these were somehow naturally created without unnecessary switchbacks. Weird.
Good to see 1-800 back out west. It was an enjoyable holiday weekend with a refreshing Sunday swimming in the back seat. ;) Whining aside, it was a great day, and I'd do it again! |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
a friend was volunteering to do the driving, and the leaves should have begun turning. Worst case, it would get me out of the heat of the valley for an afternoon.
