Hackberry Spring from Horse Lot • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 12 2025
		Vashti • Triplogs 276

Hiking	5.73 Miles	679 AEG

Hiking	5.73 Miles	2 Hrs 22 Mns	2.42 mph
	679 ft AEG

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First Water Creek at Second Water Trail #236

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Quick morning hike in the supes!

Saw 2 rattlesnakes and a covey of quail in the last half mile.

Few people out on the trail, but the heat is really culling the amount. There were maybe 5ish cars each at the horse lot and first Water TH. There were way more people at crosscut TH.

There are a lot of bees at the main big campsite by the wash in the hackberry spring area, and also just past the area where the trail crosses the wash before heading uphill. We saw one lone camper and their pup.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Dry

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Mar 07 2025

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 07 2025
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	3.02 Miles	237 AEG

Hiking	3.02 Miles	1 Hour 37 Mns	1.91 mph
	237 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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KatClaw

Had a couple hours to go enjoy the rain. Compared to recent meteorological events it seemed biblical, but in reality, I knew there would be little chance of finding water flowing on the surface anywhere. But I figured my best chance would be to take advantage of a barren ashen fire scar.

Full winter garb was needed as the temp hovered in the low 40s and the breeze was robust. About halfway through the rain returned in earnest and pelted us sideways. Fun!

It was great to get out and make prints in the ashmud! Hopefully it's enough to sprout some grass before the risk of heavier rain and erosion during the summer monsoon.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Dec 14 2024

jacobemerick

Guides 38
Routes 182
Photos 1,602
Triplogs 232

40 male

Joined Dec 09 2014
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 14 2024
		jacobemerick • Triplogs 232

Hiking	5.86 Miles	690 AEG

Hiking	5.86 Miles	3 Hrs 6 Mns	1.89 mph
	690 ft AEG	23 Hrs Break

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Hike with grandpa & boys! Started from Horse Lot, took Dutchman to FW trailhead, then up and around Garden Valley. Lots of burn damage starting along Second Water trail. Took a little detour in the creek to check out a potential water hole (it was bone dry) before climbing up to the valley, which was devastated by the fire. Circled around down to Hackberry Spring where we found the cutest little fish swimming around. Fire damage along First Water creek, tho a few camping sites near the spring were spared. Then back to the parking lot via the usual way. Good outing

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Nov 29 2024

Vashti

Guides 17
Routes 297
Photos 1,808
Triplogs 276

female

Joined Mar 11 2002
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 29 2024
		Vashti • Triplogs 276

Hiking	5.96 Miles	720 AEG

Hiking	5.96 Miles	2 Hrs 51 Mns	2.17 mph
	720 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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First Water Creek at Second Water Trail #236

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Quick hike to hackberry springs. Garden Mesa is sad. Hackberry springs area is slightly better, with some unburned areas.

First Water lot had lots of people, but didn't see too many people on the trail until later. As we drove out, there were lots of people in every parking area on first Water road. Glad we went earlier! Gorgeous weather!

Dry

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2 archives

Nov 08 2024

emilystardust

Routes 386
Photos 49
Triplogs 792

43 female

Joined Jun 23 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 08 2024
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Hiking	2.88 Miles	431 AEG

Hiking	2.88 Miles	1 Hour 4 Mns	2.70 mph
	431 ft AEG

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Aug 09 2024

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 09 2024
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	5.70 Miles	626 AEG

Hiking	5.70 Miles	1 Hour 53 Mns	3.03 mph
	626 ft AEG

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Friday morning and no one else at First Water trailhead. I tried a loop going back to the Horse Lot to Hackberry Spring and back Second Water trail. A little shorter than I wanted but close enough. It was 77 degrees at the start and 83 degrees when I finished. No one else on the trails or at the trailhead when I returned. Stayed out on the sun for most of the hike. Only Bunnies and lizards along the way.

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2 archives

Jul 14 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 14 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.48 Miles	833 AEG

Hiking	7.48 Miles	3 Hrs 48 Mns	2.17 mph
	833 ft AEG	21 Mns Break

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adilling

Less than 24 hours after landing in AZ and mildly jetlagged, I was back on the trails in the AZ heat. I almost didn't make this hike due to a missed connecting flight in London (never, EVER, EVER, EVER go thru Heathrow airport if you can avoid it, BTW). After getting some sleep on Saturday night and setting my alarm, I found myself feeling ok enough to give it a go for a shorter Sunday hike.

I met Andy at the horse lot by First Water. I was wanting to hit the arch by Garden Valley that Dmitri and I bailed on a month earlier when I started to take the wrong trail and we were beginning to run low on water. Andy and I found the bottom of that trail I discovered that day and hiked up to the arch from there. From there we hiked back around and over to the ranch by the wash that runs by Hackberry Spring further downstream. From there we hiked back to the horse lot and then did another half mile out and back to get a bit more mileage.

Nice to get a quick early hike in before it got too hot and avoid going jogging later in the heat of the day. Also nice to do more exploring on more trails I hadn't hiked yet. Thanks for meeting up for this one Andy.

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Jun 09 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 09 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.07 Miles	653 AEG

Hiking	7.07 Miles	3 Hrs 12 Mns	2.21 mph
	653 ft AEG

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Another Sunday morning hike with Dmitri. We started from the Hackberry lot and headed up to the small hill right next to hit. By the time we got to the top of the hill, we exceeded the AEG from the previous Sunday hike. Up there we had a nice view of Superstition Mt and the surrounding area. We also saw a deer below us on the east side.

Once we got down, we took the trail over towards the Needle Vista area. the trail first goes to 88 and then parallels 188 to the vista lot. At the concrete path, the singletrack continued, so I followed it another few hundred feet to where it dead ended in a slot canyon wash.

We headed back to the main Hackberry loop and took that trail to the mini slot canyon south of the spring and headed out to Second Water Trail and back to the car. Most of the trails we did were ones that I hadn't done before, and I found several junctions to trails I know I haven't done before. Seems like more trails have been added recently, but I can't tell. We lost the trail at one point coming out of the canyon/wash by Hackberry Spring, but there are so many trails that we easily found another one.

We saw one hiker leave the lot we parked at after we summited the hill and that was it for the entire day. 2 cars at First Water lot when we went through and no other cars at the Hackberry lot when we returned. Thin clouds kept the temperature not really hot so I was surprised that it was that deserted for an area that's normally so crazy busy. Nice contrast after dodging bikers in Usery the week before.

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Feb 21 2024

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 21 2024
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	7.67 Miles	805 AEG

Hiking	7.67 Miles	2 Hrs 42 Mns	2.93 mph
	805 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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3 archives

Jan 27 2024

rubywrangler

Photos 268
Triplogs 17

female

Joined Mar 12 2021
Seattle, WA

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 27 2024
		rubywrangler • Triplogs 17

Hiking	12.00 Miles

Hiking	12.00 Miles

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This corner of the Supes has intrigued me every time I drive by, but I hadn't explored it before. I hoped to hike up FWC from the horse lot and return by traversing the ridge west of the canyon, but then I stupidly wore shorts and was scared off of that plan by some previous reports of bushwhacking in this general area. Also got a later start than I wanted. So instead I settled for ridge recon and a loop around Hackberry mesa.

There are lots of pools in the upper part of lower FWC to Hackberry spring, then a mostly dry stretch for a couple miles, then more pools in the lower section. A little flow but not too much. I was expecting more after the torrential downpour I drove through earlier in the week en route to Tucson. The dry miles were not too exciting but below that it is a really lovely canyon. A little bit of easy but briefly exposed scrambling was required to bypass one large pool on the southwest side at the narrows.

I turned around at the large boulder marking the exit from FWC to Apache Trail and retraced my steps to the unnamed canyon that heads east to a saddle north of the twin summits ~2760 & 2720 (see "Hackberry Creeks n Peaks Super Loop"). Pokey things were largely avoidable; game trails were helpful when the canyon got brushy. After a break on 2720, I continued east down a decently steep and loose slope and then made my way up the canyon that goes to Cholla tank. There are a few cairns here and there. Around 1/2 or 1/4 mi from the tank the brush thickens. After getting slightly bloody I wised up and scrambled up to the ridge to the north, which was much nicer and quicker. Cholla tank was dry, but lots of animal tracks.

From Cholla tank it was all trails back to the car. The last couple miles were by headlamp so I guess I'll have to come back and climb Hackberry Mesa to see them in the daylight. Fun day!!

Jan 21 2024

kelraen

Routes 1
Photos 215
Triplogs 20

37 male

Joined Oct 08 2011
mesa

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 21 2024
		kelraen • Triplogs 20

Hiking	2.55 Miles	344 AEG

Hiking	2.55 Miles
	344 ft AEG

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Took a hike with the kiddos. Had been in this area for years but not tried this trail. Was great for the little ones and the canyon was very inviting. A few standing pools of water in the main canyon on the way to the spring. Will try again during the next winter rains.

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Jan 06 2024

ScottHika

Guides 2
Routes 31
Photos 902
Triplogs 50

male

Joined Sep 19 2020
Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 06 2024
		ScottHika • Triplogs 50

Hiking	12.00 Miles	1,700 AEG

Hiking	12.00 Miles
	1,700 ft AEG

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Got a late start and a late finish on my solo hike Saturday. It was chilly for Phoenix and snow or rain expected tomorrow 1-7-24. The temps held in the 40s and 50s and signaled that winter really is here. First Water was packed so I went to the Horse Lot overflow. Nothing amazing planned today, just a poke around Hackberry, Garden Valley and then on to Cholla Tank above the mesa. I did a little other off trail stuff for a 12 mile 1700AEG day.

I love the popular area as many others due to great geology, scenery and history. It was more or less out and back 12 total miles with slightly alternate routes both ways. I prefer to wander off path and not retrace my steps. Hackberry Spring was clear and full as usual with frogs and small fish. The usual campers at the spring were absent, no doubt due to forecasted rain Sun. There were many groups of horse riders and I like to watch them climb the tricky path of the Hackberry Springs trail up to the valley. After years, I still discover new things here even if I don’t share all of them.

Garden Valley as many know, was a Hohokam settlement. I wanted to look at the legendary “Stone Idol” on the northern cliffs of Hackberry. My opinion now is that it is nothing more than a modern interpretation of a natural phenomenon. The alleged “rock wedges” below the stone god can be found in multiple places across the mesa meaning simply a naturally fractured thinner later of rock. Oh well, on to the next thing. Since the Hohokam were all over Garden Valley I’ve decided to add my own modern interpretation to the highest point on the valley floor. I call it “Hohokam Stone Altar”

From the summit altar you can see Four Peaks, which is hidden to much of the valley. Obviously the canyon walls are higher and much can be seen from the perimeter areas. Also the sight line from the Stone Alter to Four Peaks coincidentally passes through the alleged Stone Idol.

The large dam in the north eastern part of the valley is most definitely Hohokam and made by prolific earth movers to control the water. It was used as a stock tank during the ranch era but one side wall collapsed allowing the water out. Nobody was on the Cholla Tank trail but I crossed dozens of people on Second Water. The Cholla Tank trail is an easy to follow spur off of the Second Water Trail. The mesa top is a gently sloping grassy landscape that is mostly flat. There is pretty good Needle view most of the time. There is an interesting looking butte to the north of Hackberry Mesa. The tank was dry but probably will have some water after today. It is massive and entirely unlikely to have been a ranch project, which leaves the Hohokam as the creators. I’m at 98% on that guess, but have not found anything documenting it. It was getting late and I returned more or less the same way.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cholla Tank Geronimo Head Weavers Needle

Autumn Foliage Observation None
Late fall colors at Hackberry Spring

Dry

5 archives

Dec 30 2023

adilling

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

First Water Canyon from Horse Lot, AZ

Hiking		Dec 30 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	11.02 Miles	1,022 AEG

Hiking	11.02 Miles	5 Hrs 12 Mns	2.20 mph
	1,022 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

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I have hiked down from Canyon Lake down to Hackberry Springs in the past, but it’s been many moons since the last time. Usually, I wait for some sustained rains and visit the narrow sections near the lake for the amazing views with running water through the narrows.

This time around, I started from the Horse Lot off First Water Road and hiked up. Lots of people out and about early on, but I didn’t see another soul after I went past Hackberry Springs.

The canyon is a wider and nothing special until about a mile or two past the spring. Once you get near Little Four Peaks, the views really get wonderful. The crazy/streaky clouds make it even more special. I encountered a few pools here and there, but for the most part, it was dry wash hiking amongst the river stones and formations.

The closer you get the lake the better the views. The canyon narrows and the geology takes over with some pretty amazing formations in the wash and the cliffs beside the creek.

I made it to the narrows and contemplated wading/swimming the short distance to the end, but I already had 5.5 mile in and the water was pretty cold. I didn’t think hiking back with either soggy boots or wet pants was a wise decision.

When I made it back to Hackberry Springs, there were 5-6 groups hanging out and I came across a group of horse riders near the split of the creek. The closer I got to the TH, the more people I saw as well. High season in Supes.

I will wait for some running water next time I do this and embrace “the suck” (or come prepared) and get wet. It becomes a different place when the water is running for sure. Either way, this was a nice hike. Some distance, a little elevation and solitude (mostly). Definitely a Saturday well spent for sure.

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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Dec 02 2023

Mike_Fels

Routes 17
Photos 485
Triplogs 510

77 male

Joined Jan 07 2010
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 02 2023
		Mike_Fels • Triplogs 510

Hiking	6.67 Miles	863 AEG

Hiking	6.67 Miles	3 Hrs 37 Mns	2.30 mph
	863 ft AEG	43 Mns Break

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My niece wanted to experience a hike in the Supes. So we finally came upon a good day that was available to both. It was a fantastic day, if anything a bit on the cool side. We were early enough that we saw very few people on the trail. Not really any wildlife. A few wildflowers. But the Supes made a mark upon her. She will be back.

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Nov 16 2023

DixieFlyer

Guides 99
Routes 1,484
Photos 16,072
Triplogs 1,374

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Hackberry Spring and Mesa, AZ

Hiking		Nov 16 2023
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374

Hiking	11.63 Miles	1,931 AEG

Hiking	11.63 Miles	6 Hrs 21 Mns	2.10 mph
	1,931 ft AEG	48 Mns Break

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Black Mesa Loop - Superstition Mtns

Black Mesa Trail #241

Dutchman Trail #104

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SecretMtnLover

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I had not been to the Supes in a while so we decided to head to the First Water TH today.

We went to Hackberry Spring and to the summit of Hackberry Mesa, and on the way back added the Black Mesa Loop -- this was a big clockwise loop.

From the TH, we went back toward the Horse Lot and took a trail over to Hackberry Spring. This was the first time that I had been to Hackberry Spring. Then we continued on the trail for a ways, and then went off-trail up the west side of Hackberry Mesa to the summit. It was a fairly easy off-trail I thought. We spent a little time at the summit, and then went east to a saddle, and then dropped down to Garden Valley and made our way to the Second Water Trail. From there we went to the Black Mesa Trail, and took it to the Dutchman Trail and then back to the TH.

I enjoyed Hackberry Spring and Hackberry Mesa. Hackberry Mesa apparently doesn't get much love -- only 3 parties had signed the summit register since I was there 1.5 years ago. I didn't really enjoy the Black Mesa Loop all that much -- I don't think that there has been any tread work done on the Black Mesa Trail or the Dutchman Trail in probably 2-3 decades.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Garden Valley Hackberry Mesa Hackberry Spring Superstition Mountain 5057 Superstition Mountains - Ridgeline Superstition Peak 5024 The Flatiron Weavers Needle

	Hackberry Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	There wasn't anything coming out of the pipe at the spring, but there was a small pool of water above it. I don't think that I would have drank the water though.

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

2 archives

Mar 19 2023

emilystardust

Routes 386
Photos 49
Triplogs 792

43 female

Joined Jun 23 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2023
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Hiking	5.66 Miles	709 AEG

Hiking	5.66 Miles	2 Hrs 6 Mns	2.74 mph
	709 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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Jan 14 2023

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2023
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	9.10 Miles	1,270 AEG

Hiking	9.10 Miles	4 Hrs 34 Mns	1.99 mph
	1,270 ft AEG

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Out and about wandering through the horse trails and off-trail up on Hackberry Mesa. I only saw a few other hikers until returning on Second Water trail. There are nice views up on Hackberry Mesa and fairly easy hiking once you ascend the black rock barrier. A nice stroll with perfect temps.

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3 archives

Oct 16 2022

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

1st Water Creek, AZ

Hiking		Oct 16 2022
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	9.86 Miles	700 AEG

Hiking	9.86 Miles	5 Hrs 26 Mns	2.08 mph
	700 ft AEG	42 Mns Break

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	John9L	KatClaw
	patrickakabird

With yesterday's solid rain and the coolest morning in five months, we opted to look for puddles in the desert. We considered setting up a shuttle, but decided that we weren't really motivated to swim the narrows, so we did an old-fashioned out n back. There were areas of light flow, but the inch plus of rain over the past 36 hours didn't result in much surface runoff. It did sprinkle a bit along the way and we encountered stronger flow and muddy water on the return.

Back at horse lot, we chatted with FS and MCSO who were out investigating a reported lost hiker

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Aug 14 2022

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Boulder Canyon Loop from First Water TH

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 14 2022
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	8.40 Miles	862 AEG

Hiking	8.40 Miles	3 Hrs	2.80 mph
	862 ft AEG

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Back to the Superstitions for a stroll. I started about 5:35a from the Needle Vista Lot. Hiked to the Horse Lot First Water TH and then and toward Hackberry Spring. Decided to go up above the spring to see what was there. There was not much up there but solitude and nice views. On the hike out I saw one hiker and that was it for humans. A nice stroll in the green desert.

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2 archives

Jul 16 2022

jacobemerick

Guides 38
Routes 182
Photos 1,602
Triplogs 232

40 male

Joined Dec 09 2014
Gilbert, AZ

Boulder Canyon Loop from First Water TH

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Jul 16 2022
		jacobemerick • Triplogs 232

Run/Jog	13.85 Miles	1,403 AEG

Run/Jog	13.85 Miles	3 Hrs 21 Mns	4.16 mph
	1,403 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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