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| Hiking | 23.34 Miles |
1,518 AEG |
| | Hiking | 23.34 Miles | 7 Hrs 40 Mns | | 3.20 mph |
| 1,518 ft AEG | 23 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Denny had these trails on his to-do list, so we decided to get them checked off before the weather got too warm. Bruce provided us with the route, which we double checked to make sure he wasn't sending us out into the desert on some wild goose chase, or in the outline of a humorous shape when viewed as a track. We decided it was legit, so off we went 
We met off I-10 and Ray Rd at 4:30am, and headed to the trailhead via Maricopa. Taking I-10 through Phoenix would have been almost the exactly the same drive time, but I don't particularly like interstate driving and take highways when given the option. We got to the trailhead a little after 6:00, and were on our way a few minutes later. Margies Cove trail is easy to follow, and the ascent is very gradual, hardly even noticeable. Walking through sand most of the way works the leg muscles though!
We reached the turnoff for Brittlebush around 8:00, and over the next six miles, lost all of the elevation we had gained. Brittlebush is also easy to follow, and looking at some of the different rock features kept us entertained. There must have been a recent microburst around the midway point of Brittlebush, because there's an area where we could easily see about twenty saguaros that had all been blown over towards the west. There were several uprooted palo verde trees, all blown over the same direction as well. Must have been quite a storm at that spot. Shortly before the end of the trail, Bruce's track deviated from the trail, after a moment of checking the gps, we decided that we were on the true trail, and that the track followed an old road--both leading to the trailhead--so we stayed on the trail.
At the trailhead, we had a bite to eat and took a break, then headed back up Brittlebush. The high cloud cover we had enjoyed most of the way had disappeared by this point, so it was a little warm going back uphill. We thought we wouldn't see any more clouds for the rest of the day, but by the time we had reached Margies Cove, some heavier clouds had moved in--which was a most welcome sight.
The walk back down Margies Cove went by quickly with the clouds and cool breeze. We saw a bunch of vultures flying overhead, and one sat on a rock and watched us for a while. Lots of rabbits, lizards, squirrels, etc., but no snakes until we were nearly back to the car. I had been looking up instead of watching the trail, and just as I had looked back down, there was a large snake almost under my feet. I jumped back, but almost immediately realized it was just a gopher snake. We took a few pictures, then got back to the car about 10 minutes later. Enjoyable day on some new trails for me, and we finished up with a late lunch in Maricopa--thanks, Denny, for buying!!! |
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| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Since I was in the area, I drove over to Margies Cove West trailhead, since I had never been. There are a few sites at the small campground by the trailhead, but all I can say is that is quite the drive just to use a remote toilet. 
Assumed dry, bullet holes in tank, no water anywhere
Nice to meet Mark!
