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| Run/Jog | 9.59 Miles |
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| | Run/Jog | 9.59 Miles | 2 Hrs 4 Mns | | 4.64 mph |
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| no partners | | Early morning jog at the Estrellas. It’s been awhile since I’ve done any of the competitive tracks. There are four in the Estrellas. I opted for the Long Loop. Got on the trail just before 6am. The Competitive trails all start at the same spot and then start to split as you hike further along the track. The Long Loop is simply that….the longest of the loops. There is minimal elevation change and when it occurs it is gradual, except for a couple of the washes. The trail alternates between a road and a single track. But both are rocky. Probably the rockiest of the Competitive tracks in all the Phoenix Parks. The back side is a bit boring (did I mention rocky), but the surrounding peaks call out to you. (There are no trails that head into the mountains, but I am always tempted when I’m back there). About 3.1 miles there was a sign offering an opportunity to veer off the Long Loop and connect to one of the shorter tracks. This is something that I don’t remember from my previous visit. I didn’t check it out but I will in a future visit. Coming from the backside to the front side, you have to cross over a small saddle. I had forgotten how nice the views are from the this spot. As you descend the valley opens up in front of you. Annoyingly, I tweaked a leg muscle coming down from the saddle. It didn’t stop me, but it forced me to shorten my stride. It’s unfortunate because this front side is the nicer section of the trail; better suited for running. You’ll come across several “one way” signs as other Competitive trails will either merge or come tantalizingly close to this trail. The trail actually veers to the west crossing another minor saddle before doing several sweeping curves in the wide open valley. I was out there by myself today, but I imagine if you were competing with others they would appear misleadingly close because of how the trail comes back on itself. As the trail nears the end it climbs one more saddle. This is on a road and is very drawn out, (making for an easy climb). As you reach the top of the saddle, you’ll notice a trail just to the north. This the Desert Rose trail. A relatively new addition to the Estrellas Trail System.
Weather was great. The clouds didn’t offer any shade, but they offered some flavor to the skyscape. No wildlife and no other user visible, though there were two other cars parked there when I left. |
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