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Hidden Valley via Pima Canyon - 44 members in 459 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
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Nov 21 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Buena Vista Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Buena Vista Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 21 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking11.48 Miles 2,331 AEG
Hiking11.48 Miles   2 Hrs   47 Mns   4.12 mph
2,331 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I got started from Pima Canyon a little before sunrise. It was a nice, cool morning in the 50s...the summer SoMo sweat-fests felt like a distant memory. It was a spectacular sunrise on the way to Buena Vista Lookout, and the trails were surprisingly empty--I didn't pass anyone until I was on my way back. There were a few lingering puddles on the trails from the recent rain, and this latest round has things looking very green. The sky clouded over for most of the hike, and I ran into TboneKathy along National on the hike out.
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunrise
 
Nov 14 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 14 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.51 Miles 2,198 AEG
Hiking10.51 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   3.27 mph
2,198 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
I got a little bit later start than usual at ~9AM, but the weather was nice and the trails were more crowded than expected for a Friday morning. There were several classrooms' worth of young kids (field trip?) clogging National near the Pima Wash/Javelina intersection, so that was annoying. Otherwise, pretty typical morning at SoMo. I didn't see any blood remaining on Mormon Trail from my last visit, and I avoided any rock collisions today, so that was a step in the right direction.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hidden Valley Tunnel
 
Oct 25 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 25 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.01 Miles 1,923 AEG
Hiking10.01 Miles   2 Hrs   59 Mns   3.41 mph
1,923 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I headed out for an early hike at SoMo, starting around sunrise. Weekend crowds were in full force--I passed 20+ people along Marcos de Niza, and there was a big running group getting started near the National/Javelina Canyon intersection that fortunately went a different way. Along Mormon Loop, I came across a snake eating a lizard in the middle of the trail. I almost missed it until a trail runner pointed it out--he said it came tumbling down the trail in front him.

On my way down to Mormon TH, I accidentally grazed my upper shin on a rock as I passed someone. It hurt, but I didn't think much of it until I felt the warmth of blood running down my leg...lots of it. I figured it was one of those minor scrapes that looks worse than it is and I'd wash it off after the hike, so I kept going down to the TH and started back up. Meanwhile, blood was soaking into my sock/boot, and someone finally commented, "Sir, you're bleeding!" as I passed. Yeah, I noticed that, too...

A few miles later, I finally took a closer look at the cut and realized it was deeper than I thought and might require stitches. By the time I finished the hike, my boot looked like a murder scene. I went to urgent care later, and sure enough, three stitches...dumbest hiking accident ever. Nice morning to be outside other than the minor brush with the rock.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Hike HAZard
 
Oct 19 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.48 Miles 2,210 AEG
Hiking10.48 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   3.19 mph
2,210 ft AEG
 
First time back at SoMo since the big rain last weekend, and it was the most crowded I've seen it this season...seems like everyone has realized the mornings are finally comfortable. It was noticeably greener than my last time out here, with grass growing in a few places, and even that prior visit was looking better after the September rains. Lots of washouts and erosion after the big storms, especially in Hidden Valley. We stopped by a few petroglyphs that TBK hadn't seen before, but otherwise a pretty typical SoMo morning.
 
Oct 14 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,327
 Photos 9,368
 Triplogs 2,678

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Hidden Valley via Pima CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 14 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,678
Hiking7.35 Miles 1,324 AEG
Hiking7.35 Miles   3 Hrs   14 Mns   2.31 mph
1,324 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I think Denny flew home around midnight, but I told him he still had to hike with me today. Met up at Pima Cyn at 0715. Up Marcos, then up Mormon Loop/Javelina. Came down thru Hidden Valley, National, and Pima Wash.

Tons of evidence of recent rain, with still some flowing water. Trails are chewed up. Saw two caterpillars. A handful of bikers and other hikers. Good workout, abd always good to hike with Denny.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 14 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 149
 Photos 10,074
 Triplogs 3,729

64 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Hidden Valley via Pima CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 14 2025
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,729
Hiking7.35 Miles 1,324 AEG
Hiking7.35 Miles   3 Hrs   14 Mns   2.31 mph
1,324 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
Joined Linda for a mid morning hike at South Mountain. Flew in last night so I was dragging a little. Wait, that's my normal :D ! Signs of the rain storm were evident. Some ruts here and there and occasional standing water. A little water running in the tunnel and in Lower Pima wash. Linda was able to spot a little "quick sand" and showed me were it was. :D :scared: Pima wash trail had signs of a foot or two flow recently. The pavement work on the drive in and the parking lot seemed to be done. New top and paint.
It was great to get a hike in with Linda and catch up. :y: Like HAZ, she rocks!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Oct 09 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 09 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking13.71 Miles 2,225 AEG
Hiking13.71 Miles   3 Hrs   19 Mns   4.13 mph
2,225 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Morning hike at SoMo after a few weeks away...I wanted to get out there before the rain started on Friday. After all the rain late in monsoon season, everything was looking a lot greener than when I was here last month. It was a muted sunrise with the clouds, and they hung around to varying degrees for the rest of the hike. Not too many people out on the trails on a Thursday morning.
  1 archive
Oct 02 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 149
 Photos 10,074
 Triplogs 3,729

64 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Hidden Valley via Pima CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 02 2025
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,729
Hiking6.90 Miles 912 AEG
Hiking6.90 Miles   2 Hrs   35 Mns   2.67 mph
912 ft AEG
 no routes
Partners partners
wallyfrack
Wally came over and joined me for a South Mountain hike. We did Mormon loop along with Hidden Valley. Instead of Pima road we took Pima wash at the end. They definitely got some rain in those storms and the trail was chewed up in a couple places. The wash looked like it got some flow. Would have like to have seen that. Trails were still in pretty good shape. With an early start the temps weren’t too bad when we finished around 8:30. The road going in and parking lot have been getting resurfaced since the weekend and they are still working on it. You could park in lot but not on road. Always great to get a hike in with Wally! Like HAZ, he rocks!!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
  2 archives
Sep 13 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Pima Canyon - Hidden Valley Loop, AZ 
SoMo Pima Canyon - Hidden Valley Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 13 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking7.06 Miles 899 AEG
Hiking7.06 Miles   2 Hrs   50 Mns   2.72 mph
899 ft AEG      14 Mns Break
1st trip
An old friend was in town from New England, visiting Arizona for a few days on an ASU/U of A college football tour. We were roommates 20 years ago during an internship out east and hadn't seen each other for 14 years. He's not used to the desert heat and wanted to do something short and with 1,000' AEG or less, which limited the options, but SoMo has plenty of trails to make that work.

He hiked in Saguaro Nat'l Park on Friday and drove back to Phoenix early Saturday morning, and we got started a little after 8AM and caught up as we hiked. We followed Pima Wash and then went off-trail through Pima Canyon and saw some of the petroglyphs and mines, then connected with the trail again near Hidden Valley Tunnel, continued through Hidden Valley and Fat Man's Pass, then looped back on National.

Hot by New England standards, but pretty nice weather for AZ in mid-September, with a high below 100°, and he seemed to like the route with the SoMo touristy highlights :). We grabbed lunch after the hike, and it was a fun morning catching up after so long.
 
Sep 01 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 01 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking14.26 Miles 2,555 AEG
Hiking14.26 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   4.24 mph
2,555 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Decided to get up early on Labor Day for a morning hike before the day heated up. It was already in the upper 80s before 5AM, but a steady breeze kept it from feeling too uncomfortable. I forgot to bring a flashlight--haven't started this early at SoMo in a while--but there were enough city lights that I could get by without it, then a colorful sunrise. The trails were emptier than I expected for a holiday with reasonably nice late summer weather.

I stuck to my usual route, which I hadn't done in more than two months, and went out to Dobbins Lookout, paused for some water, then headed back and went over Marcos de Niza again to finish it off. Nothing too interesting out there today, though I saw what looked like a squished frog on National Trail...that's a new one. And the ocotillo leaves have greened up a lot in the past week after the recent rain.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Red Spotted Toad
 
Aug 27 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.31 Miles 2,283 AEG
Hiking10.31 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   3.19 mph
2,283 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Started from Pima Canyon Trailhead around 6AM, and it was a cooler morning in the upper 70s, but still very humid. There were surprisingly few people out on a relatively nice morning for August. SoMo clearly got quite a bit of rain in the big storm on Monday--there were lots of little washouts along the trails and down in Pima Wash, a few remaining puddles with standing water, and millipedes enjoying the lingering moisture. Didn't see much wildlife but crossed paths with @trekkin_gecko on the way back up from Mormon Trailhead.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Millipede
 
Jul 12 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 12 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.43 Miles 2,249 AEG
Hiking10.43 Miles   3 Hrs   34 Mns   3.16 mph
2,249 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Back to SoMo for another lap through Hidden Valley/Mormon, starting around 6AM. The trails weren't too busy, and it wasn't ridiculously hot but humid enough that I was sweating a lot. Not much to note out there today--saw a jackrabbit but no particularly interesting wildlife, and it was in the low 90s by the end.
 
Jul 04 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.02 Miles 2,210 AEG
Hiking10.02 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   3.08 mph
2,210 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We got out for a morning hike on the Fourth of July, starting around 6AM from Pima Canyon. It was in the upper 70s but a little humid as we got going, and there weren't many other people out there on the holiday enjoying the relatively cool weather. We stuck to the usual route through Hidden Valley we've done a lot recently, and the trails remained relatively quiet throughout. It was still only in the upper 80s when we finished ~9:30AM, so not a bad morning to be outside.
  1 archive
Jun 28 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 28 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.35 Miles 2,196 AEG
Hiking10.35 Miles   3 Hrs   28 Mns   3.06 mph
2,196 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
It had been a while since I'd hiked with TboneKathy, so when she said she was heading to SoMo on Saturday morning, I told her I'd join and set an alarm even though sleeping in sounded very tempting. It had been ~6 weeks since we were at South Mountain together, and since our creativity apparently hasn't improved during that time, we defaulted to the same route we hiked often in the spring , through Hidden Valley and over toward Mormon Trailhead. Pretty typical day on the trails...medium-busy, toasty but not ridiculously hot for June, in the mid-90s when we finished around 9:30AM.
 
Jun 19 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking13.76 Miles 2,299 AEG
Hiking13.76 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   4.35 mph
2,299 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Another quick pre-work hike...I got started around sunrise at 5AM on relatively quiet trails with temps in the mid-80s and climbing. I stuck to my usual route out to Dobbins, took a quick water break there, then headed back. The city added a lot of temporary signage reminding people about the 8AM-5PM trail closures on extreme heat days, though I'm not sure how strictly they enforce that--there were still quite a few people on the trails when I finished a little after 8AM. No interesting wildlife today, just glad to be done before it got hotter.
 
Jun 05 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking13.83 Miles 2,301 AEG
Hiking13.83 Miles   3 Hrs   13 Mns   4.32 mph
2,301 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I got an early start ~5AM for a morning pre-work hike. Falling back into the usual summer pattern, I headed for Dobbins Lookout and started up Marcos de Niza. The air had the sweet smell of wet desert, and there were a still a few puddles from Sunday's rain--the area around Hidden Valley was especially moist. Overall, not too many people out on the trails. Not much interesting wildlife, but there were more hummingbirds flying around than usual and quite a few lizards. I paused for a quick drink at the lookout, then started back and ran into TboneKathy a few miles from the trailhead, and I was done before 8:30AM.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Memorial
 
May 13 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,327
 Photos 9,368
 Triplogs 2,678

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Hidden Valley via Pima CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 13 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,678
Hiking6.65 Miles 1,595 AEG
Hiking6.65 Miles   2 Hrs   26 Mns   2.79 mph
1,595 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Another evening hike with HAZ’s most blocked member. Got started from Pima Canyon and promptly got lost in the parking lot as we decided what exactly we wanted to hike. Chumley not only put together a loop that had us blinded by the late afternoon sun, but somehow managed to seemingly feel like it was uphill 90% of the time. Impressive really. I whined accordingly.

We made our way west on Beacon Hill, Ridgeline, and Mormon Loop/Javelina Canyon. Warm, but a strong breeze kept things comfortable. After Mormon, we went through the tunnel end of Hidden Valley, then up past the crosses to Guadalupe Ridge. Three crosses now, large wood ones, two look newer than the third. Temps cooled nicely after the sun set. East on the Ridge, then finished up on Marcos De Niza.

Nice evening. Good workout. And an abundance of topics for us both to find plenty to complain about.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
May 13 2025
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 Guides 94
 Routes 845
 Photos 22,401
 Triplogs 2,021

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Mormon Marcos Loop, AZ 
Mormon Marcos Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 13 2025
chumleyTriplogs 2,021
Hiking6.88 Miles 1,482 AEG
Hiking6.88 Miles   2 Hrs   26 Mns   2.83 mph
1,482 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Went counterclockwise and it was awful. Ridgeline and Mormon are awful. Guadalupe and Marcos have tons more uphill than they should. Go the other way.

Removed a couple of painted rocks. Did you know if you wipe "love" into toilet paper with your poop, you can leave it wherever you want? It's not trash if there's a positive message on it!
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  2 archives
May 08 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 08 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking10.10 Miles 2,166 AEG
Hiking10.10 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   3.28 mph
2,166 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I had another slow morning at work, and TBK mentioned she was going for a hike at SoMo, so I tagged along. The clouds and cool temperatures from earlier in the week were gone, but the trails were still relatively quiet. We looped through Hidden Valley, over to Mormon Trailhead, then returned via Javelina Canyon. Nothing too interesting on this one, but good to get out again this week. A little warm by the end, but not too bad.
  1 archive
May 06 2025
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 Guides 28
 Routes 414
 Photos 6,529
 Triplogs 381

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ 
Dobbins Lookout via Pima Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 06 2025
John10sTriplogs 381
Hiking14.37 Miles 2,535 AEG
Hiking14.37 Miles   3 Hrs   14 Mns   4.44 mph
2,535 ft AEG
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I was tired of sitting around after one day of work, so I rolled the dice with the rain chances and got an early start at Pima Canyon...couldn't pass up the opportunity to be outside on a rare cloudy day in May with highs 20° below normal. I packed some rain gear just in case and started a little after 5AM, with no discernible sunrise through the thick clouds. The trails were blissfully quiet, and rabbits outnumbered humans over the first half of the hike. The western skies were very dark on the way out to Dobbins Lookout, but the rain stayed to the N/NW.

I still didn't see many people until I was back near the trailhead, and I was doing well timewise, so I went up and over Marcos de Niza again on the way back. Clouds, cool temps (low/mid-60s), and petrichor from start to finish, and never felt a drop of rain. Dreary, but nice day to be outside, and I was back home long before my first meeting of the day. I've been telling myself for more than a month, "This will probably be the last this spring with temperatures this nice!" One of these days, I'm going to be right.
 
average hiking speed 2.6 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 23  Next

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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