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| Hiking | 9.17 Miles |
220 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.17 Miles | 2 Hrs 39 Mns | | 3.46 mph |
| 220 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Summer months equals some light trail duty along the canal trails. Decided to work on the Grand Canal Bike Path, otherwise known as the “Gecko’s backyard”.  I looked at a map of the Phoenix canals and they have the Grand Canal extending all the way to the Agua Fria, so I decided to start my hike there. I actually parked at the American Furniture Store (99th Ave and Cardinal Way) and hiked west about 1.25 miles to reach the Agua Fria. The water flowed for about .5 miles past 99th Ave and was then diverted along smaller canals going north/south. There was a dry canal that continued to the Agua Fria that is probably utilized if it floods. The canal had dirt roads on either side and then surprisingly the last .7 miles had a paved path with signage for the ubiquitous Sun Circle Loop Trail. (The Sun Circle Loop continued north along the Agua Fria). I saw the same signage about 40 miles east near the Salt River Dam. That trail seems to be almost as extensive as the Maricopa Trail.
I returned back to 99th Ave and continued to follow the canal east as it went under the 101 and past Cardinal Stadium. As the canal passes Cardinal Stadium you have the option of hiking along the canal (asphalt or dirt trails) or dropping down to the Greenbelt and following cement sidewalks. Neither of which is ideal compared to true hiking trails. Typically there was more wildlife along the canal (ducks, quail, rabbit), but there were several street crossings. The Greenbelt is at lower level so the views are more limited, but you do avoid the streets by going under them. Around 4.5 miles you reach Heroes Park and the canal makes an abrupt right turn to the south. At this point you lose the Greenbelt and the canal is bordered by homes on both sides. One side of the canal has asphalt and the other compact dirt. Turned around at Camelback and 75th.
Not much to say about the hike. There was minimal activity west of the Cardinal Stadium. Quite a bit more walkers, joggers and bikers as you went east from there. No tent cities or, for that matter, evidence of homeless people. Wildlife included a coyote, quail, rabbits and numerous ducks. There was a marsh like area near the Agua Fria which had quite a few birds taking advantage of the pools. Temps were nice, but humid with very little wind.  |
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