Aspen Draw Trail #423 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Mount Lemmon Loop - Lemmon / WOR / Aspen

Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44

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aspen draw - meadow - lemmon - WOR - aspen - ski valley road down to car. ran a couple more miles on the road down to nearly catalina highway and back for fun. beautiful day. very very dry up there but decently green. couple of nuisance trees down on mt lemmon - otherwise pretty smooth sailing. hardly saw anyone all day.

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hi

Feb 27 2025

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,277

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Miners/ Aspen Draw Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 27 2025
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,277

Hiking	4.76 Miles	1,325 AEG

Hiking	4.76 Miles	2 Hrs 8 Mns		2.23 mph
	1,325 ft AEG		18 LBS Pack

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GrottoGirl

MyRudy

Evening hike after checking out the apartment Bee and Sean rented in Summer Haven.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Gould's Turkey

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Sep 29 2024

jrc28

Routes 11
Photos 25
Triplogs 11

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Mt. Lemmon Summit, AZ

Hiking		Sep 29 2024
		jrc28 • Triplogs 11

Hiking	5.72 Miles	1,551 AEG

Hiking	5.72 Miles	4 Hrs 48 Mns	1.56 mph
	1,551 ft AEG	1 Hour 8 Mns Break

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Several ideas were suggested. This original idea was supposed to be along an “old jeep road.” Maybe the road existed. Maybe it didn’t. Maybe we missed the actual road. We definitely didn’t reference a map. We saw the summit and went that way.
We started on the Mint Spring Trail. About 0.8 of a mile in, halfway to the big junction with Aspen, Marshall Gulch, Wilderness of Rocks, we took a right. There appeared to be a path and there appeared to be a quasi-cairn. We proceeded with 3 dogs in tow.
The path worked steadily up a ridge but eventually became so overgrown with New Mexican Locust trees that we had to reassess.
Reassess meant find the path of least resistance and continue on. We traversed through an old burn area with no vegetation, lots of large, loose rocks, and dusty soil sliding beneath each step.
At this point, I put Pug in her carrier and strapped her to my back. We made it over to a slight ravine. Worked our way to a gentle entry point and over to the next ridge.
We continued up a game trail until it became so choked with locust that we, again, had to reevaluate. We went around the wall of thorns and into some pine and aspen. Up and over and under and through deadfall. No trail whatsoever. Worked through one last locust grove and made it over to the official Aspen Trail.
We hiked to the summit, took a small break to drink the remainder of our water. Everyone loves seeing Pug in her carrier. I almost made it the whole way up with her on my back, but she’s a chonk so I had to switch out.
We let her walk on the way back and she cruised down the Aspen Draw Trail.
It was shaded the entire way. Eventually we took the Turkey Run Trail, which led us back to Summerhaven.
We finished with a stop to the general store for pickles and cokes and to compare battle wounds.
Solid type 2 day.

Note to self: “old jeep road” is code for sufferfest.

Jul 06 2024

ScaredyCat

Guides 2
Routes 207
Photos 93
Triplogs 204

male

Joined Aug 08 2020
Phx az

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 06 2024
		ScaredyCat • Triplogs 204

Hiking	10.35 Miles	3,055 AEG

Hiking	10.35 Miles	6 Hrs 1 Min	2.00 mph
	3,055 ft AEG	51 Mns Break

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Marshall Gulch Trail #3

Aspen / Marshall Loop

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Very limited hiking options available due to heat. Couple others agreed to a heat escape. Meet 11 am to head out of town. Dropped 25 degrees driving up Mt

Stayed at highest campground. Could actually hang outside.

Got a rare early start. Wasn't the original plan but ended up beginning from Iron

Trail was easy to follow. Although it is steep. Reached radio ridge and took a break. Nearby trail is a bit difficult to locate.

We slowly dropped down to 7500 ft. Next we looped upward toward Marshal Peak. The spur trail from there has been decommissioned. Then came the toughest part, steep climb back up with full sun exposure.

Was originally going to continue across 2 other trails but they were voted down. Would like to return for the top of Marshal Peak.

Oct 12 2023

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,277

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 12 2023
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,277

Hiking	4.90 Miles	1,348 AEG

Hiking	4.90 Miles	2 Hrs 16 Mns	2.16 mph
	1,348 ft AEG

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MyRudy

Up Aspen Draw,down Aspen, the Carter Canyon. Lunch at Sawmill Run.

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

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Jul 08 2023

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 08 2023
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	7.50 Miles	2,100 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles	4 Hrs 30 Mns		1.88 mph
	2,100 ft AEG	30 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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Hot days down low and it is perfectly suited for trips up high for more relaxed hikes. I parked at the Mint Springs TH and my route took me through the village and up the dirt road past the 2 water tanks to the Aspen Draw Trail. Much of this was shady, and very nice despite the noise from people and cars on the road.

After topping out from the Aspen Draw on Radio Ridge I ate lunch near the top of the Aspen trail and started over to the Meadow Trail. I then paid a visit to the Mt Lemmon summit gate to get my high point and to see if there were any hummingbirds at the collection of feeders at the house just inside the gate. There were none, which surprised me. No matter, as I then hiked the Meadow Trail to the Mount Lemmon Trail and stopped at Quartzite Spring were I met Brian, and as always, there are countless Hummingbirds zooming around the Meadow Trail and road that is the Lemmon Trail. Lots of hummingbirds. I think there are more here than anywhere else in the Tucson area in summer.

There is a lot of red firecracker Penstemon in that area, and despite the still dry conditions they are flowering well.

After drinking water and filling my bottle from the spring, Brian and I headed down the trail to the Sutherland junction and went out to a rocky point overlooking the WoR and sat for a while. There were many birds here, too, both the hummers, and also a few others like White Breasted Nuthatches, woodpeckers, and at least a couple of species I didn't catch. However, there were no titmice, bushtits, or boobies, despite my belief later on when discussing this with Brian. Actually, after checking their range, there may have been bushtits. I don't know.

We then returned to Brian's vehicle at the Radio Ridge parking area and I was shuttled to my vehicle at the Mint Springs TH. If time had allowed, I would have hiked down the Miner's Ridge Rd to my car, but it was time to grill at Alder.

Storms were building to the south in the San Rafael Valley and into Cochise County. The north side of the Santa Rita Mountain got grazed by one storm with a new Pima County rain gauge at Upper Sawmill Canyon Wash reporting 1/2 an inch. Nothing significant appears to have fallen south of Florida Saddle, judging by the NWS precipitation analysis.

My miles and AEG surprised me as I thought it would be more like 6.5 to 7 miles and 1200 to 1500 feet of AEG. I guess it was a better hike than expected! I rounded down a bit from my posted route to be safe, not that most people are concerned with such things.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Quartzite Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Still strong, but flow seemed a little less than the last few times. Perhaps with rain it will return to being as strong.

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Jan 19 2023

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Mount Lemmon Snowshoe, AZ

Snowshoeing		Jan 19 2023
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Snowshoeing	5.60 Miles	1,200 AEG

Snowshoeing	5.60 Miles	5 Hrs	1.40 mph
	1,200 ft AEG

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Jim

Met up with Jim and drove up a surprisingly snow free Mount Lemmon highway to the ski area and quickly donned snow gear in the bitingly cold wind. Jim helped a car next to us that was spinning out on the ice get free from their parking space and then we set off down the car filled shoulder of the highway, looking for a way to descend the snowy slope to Aspen Draw Trail. Quite the wintery wonderland climbing the north slope of Radio Ridge. Using my hiking pole I estimated the snow depth near the top of the ridge at about 30 inches. Cresting the ridge, the wind was howling and whipping snow into the air. Temps hovered in the 20s but felt much colder due to the wind. Everything in sight was caked in heavy ice and pieces of it were raining down from the communication towers above us. We moved west up the ridge and on to the true summit of Mount Lemmon, which that day was a massive snow pile next to the telescope buildings, which we climbed. We then moved on to Meadow Trail. The sun was starting to set and the mountain top was bathed in pinks and oranges, contrasting beautifully with the blues and whites of snow and ice covered trees. Just incredible…and incredibly cold. The lights of Tucson came on while plodding east on Lemmon Trail at dusk. Soon it was dark and the wind was blasting over Radio Ridge again. I was thankful to drop down onto Aspen Draw Trail again and be out of the wind. I followed Jim straight down a steep drainage in the dark, stumbling in the deep snow occasionally when my snowshoes would catch a branch. Reaching the trail again, we soon popped out at the ski area. I think we were both thankful to be out of the wind in my warm vehicle and heading for home. A great and memorable adventure!

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Jan 19 2023

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Mount Lemmon Snowshoe, AZ

Snowshoeing		Jan 19 2023
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Snowshoeing	5.50 Miles	1,200 AEG

Snowshoeing	5.50 Miles	5 Hrs		1.38 mph
	1,200 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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PrestonSands

My yearly snowshoe trip on Mount Lemmon. I joined Preston, as I technically rode up with him as we expected the road to be open to 4x4 only, but it seemed it was open to everyone by the time we were on it. The road was clear and dry.

The day was very cold and slightly windy, except near exposed areas where it was very windy. Biter cold that is atypical for the Sky Islands and Tucson was the experience. I may not like 110 anymore, but cold wind and 25 isn't much fun, either. At least I know this and was dressed for it.

My vehicle could have made it with no problems, but there was a Subaru which was stuck on a thin piece of ice in the parking lot. It appeared the AWD failed, and only 1 wheel was spinning. It was the one on the ice, of course.

The snow level is rather high, but it is also deep once you are over 8000'. Ski the Lemmon appeared to be in great shape, and they reported 24 inches of snow from the storm. It seemed like it was at least that much, as the snow near the base of the resort was deeper than my ice axe is long. On the exposed south facing area off the Meadow Trail, the snow was as deep as my axe. About 24 inches. Snow remained intact and deep for the entire hike, even on the road section of trail #5, and radio ridge. Usually, those melt or blow off.

We hiked up the route of the Aspen Draw to Radio Ridge, over to the summit of Mount Lemmon, back down to the Meadow Trail, over to a view stop above Quartzite Spring, down to the Mount Lemmon Trail, and back to the road from there. Then down the way we came up, but cut out most of the trail and dropped directly down the drainage to the trail near the trailhead.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Throwing a Wendy

	Quartzite Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Gushing! The pipe was flowing heavily, and the water was running very heavily from the slope and rock above the pipe and spring house. Deep snow all around, but there was flowing water on the road from the heavy spring discharge. Should be good into summer.

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1 archive

Oct 30 2022

GrottoGirl

Guides 3
Routes 569
Photos 11,976
Triplogs 1,634

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 30 2022
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	5.18 Miles	1,475 AEG

Hiking	5.18 Miles	3 Hrs 3 Mns	1.99 mph
	1,475 ft AEG	27 Mns Break

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Turkey Run, Aspen Draw, Aspen Loop

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Oct 21 2022

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,277

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Oct 21 2022
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,277

Hiking	4.88 Miles	1,250 AEG

Hiking	4.88 Miles
	1,250 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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MyRudy

Morning hike starting from the Sawmill Run in Summerhaven. Some good colors from maples and aspens

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

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Aug 26 2022

jtaylor

Guides 1
Routes 5
Photos 656
Triplogs 512

47 male

Joined Jul 20 2007
Gilbert, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 26 2022
		jtaylor • Triplogs 512

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1,117 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles
	1,117 ft AEG

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Needed a heat-beater with the dog, so I invited my college roommate to join up around Lemmon for a quick camp/hike. Meia and I got there first so I borrowed this trail idea from Preston. Started at the ski area parking lot and swam to the top by about 4:45. The cool breeze dried me off pretty quickly. Amazingly serene at the lift, which had stopped running for the day. Chatted with a dad and his daughter who walked over from the observatory. Very nice conversation with good people. Love good hiker camaraderie.

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“...wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.”
-Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

Jul 21 2022

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 21 2022
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	5.60 Miles	1,550 AEG

Hiking	5.60 Miles	2 Hrs	2.92 mph
	1,550 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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Evening hike after working on Mount Lemmon. Started at Carter Canyon trailhead, went up Radio Ridge, over to the summit trailhead, down Aspen Draw and Upper Sabino Canyon trails, and then through Summerhaven to close the loop. Wonderfully cool, overcast, raspberries in season, hermit thrushes calling, wildflowers and green things, and other good stuff. Great hike, finished at dark.

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Jul 03 2022

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 03 2022
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	9.39 Miles	2,537 AEG

Hiking	9.39 Miles
	2,537 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44

Lemmon Rock Trail #12

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Mike_W

An Independence Weekend hike on the Lemmon. Basically, a variation of the Shady Lemmon Loop hike, as shade is abundant on this loop if you hike counter clockwise. Great weather, and not very many people out considering the weekend. No traffic heading up, none coming down (after 9 pm) and no one using the BBQ grills at the picnic area when we got there around 7 PM. We grilled hotdogs and tri-tip after the hike. it was good.

Raspberries along Mint spring near the TH are in season. Perhaps early due to the abundant rain up here over the last few weeks. Everything is wet and all of the creeks, springs, seeps, and rocks seem to be running with water. I was able to filter some nice water from Lemmon Creek, and Mike and Brian sampled the fresh stuff from Quartzite Spring.

Believe it or not, the loss of the overly dense pine reproduction in the WOR seems to have been beneficial. Some older trees also died, but at least dog hair thicket is not in the cards at this point. Things actually looked really nice on the hike. Tons of penstemon and lots of hummingbirds, too.

	Lemmon Creek @ WOR #44	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Medium, as heavy is probably flood stage, which it may have been at recently judging by the grass and new sand bars.

	Mint Spring - Marshall Gulch Area	Dripping	Dripping
	More of a seep, but with the current running water it would make no sense to use this.

	Quartzite Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	A gusher, as always.

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Jul 03 2022

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 03 2022
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	12.65 Miles	2,972 AEG

Hiking	12.65 Miles	5 Hrs 24 Mns	2.34 mph
	2,972 ft AEG

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Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44

Lemmon Rock Trail #12

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Jim

Had a great hike with Brian and Jim across some of the best trails on Mt Lemmon. Temps were between 66 and 72 all day. Humidity was high. There was a lot of water flowing in various areas. We were able to refill our water in a few places along the hike. We had a great pre-4th BBQ afterwards of tri-tip, hot dogs, cole slaw and fresh squeezed orange juice. We're ready for Mt Whitney in a few days.

Stats are from Strava GPS route which contained 25,000 unique data points.

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Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Jun 24 2022

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 24 2022
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	5.20 Miles	1,102 AEG

Hiking	5.20 Miles
	1,102 ft AEG

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Early morning hike with Ross and Marlon who were in town. Started at the ski area parking lot, hiked up Aspen Draw, then Meadow Trail, and then back the same way. Lots of hermit thrushes calling and big, clear sky views. Great hike.

_____________________

"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

1 archive

Jun 20 2022

Guides 2
Routes 512
Photos 5,579
Triplogs 4,277

69 male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 20 2022
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,277

Hiking	5.72 Miles	1,198 AEG

Hiking	5.72 Miles	2 Hrs 14 Mns		2.56 mph
	1,198 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

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MyRudy

Nice cool hike in the fir and spruce forest. Started in Summerhaven, at Turkey Run, the hiked up Aspen Draw to the top of the ski run.

Returned via the roadway to the Iron Door restaurant, picked the trail back down from there.

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Jun 20 2022

GrottoGirl

Guides 3
Routes 569
Photos 11,976
Triplogs 1,634

50 female

Joined Sep 18 2009
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 20 2022
		GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634

Hiking	5.94 Miles	1,333 AEG

Hiking	5.94 Miles	2 Hrs 28 Mns	2.46 mph
	1,333 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Sean, Mark, Rudy, and I did a lollipop including part of the road. Too bad I had to work afterwards

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Jan 03 2022

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Mount Lemmon Snowplay, AZ

Snowshoeing		Jan 03 2022
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Snowshoeing	5.00 Miles	1,250 AEG

Snowshoeing	5.00 Miles	4 Hrs 15 Mns		1.18 mph
	1,250 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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Last winter, in early February, it took Pima County a week to open the Catalina Highway. This time it took 2 days. So, even though I was thinking I was going to go to the Pinalenos to probably snowshoe Heliograph Peak, I didn't have to do that. Perhaps the snow would have been better quality and much fluffier at 10,000', but I don't know how the road would have been, and I wasn't able to tell how deep the snow was around Heliograph. Plus, it is 3 hours each way to get to the trailhead. Frankly, I am always tired after snowshoeing, so not driving home for 3 hours, and instead only driving for 90 minutes, is much nicer.

Drove to the ski area and found it overflowing. So, I parked at a pullout just down the road. I geared up, and dropped down the slope to the creek bottom, and hiked up to the Aspen Draw trail. I then followed a nice ski track to the top of the ridge, which was pretty convenient as it seems that everyone always physically forgets how hard snowshoeing really is. The views were great, and the snow was a lot better than last year, so I was able to hike to the actual summit of Mt Lemmon, and not just the spot outside the fencing which is falling down on itself, and I continued on to a nice loop using the Meadow Trail and last section of the Mount Lemmon Trail. I descend directly down slope for most of my return from Radio Ridge, which was great as hiking down in dense powder snow is the best way to snowshoe. I then drove home to my pulled pork shoulder which was in the oven for 7 hours. It was great.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mount Lemmon

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Nov 18 2021

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 18 2021
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	6.00 Miles	1,639 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles	2 Hrs 2 Mns	3.08 mph
	1,639 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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After work hike from Ski Valley to Aspen Draw to summit trailhead, down Radio Ridge to Summerhaven, then return via upper Sabino Canyon. Fall color is all on the ground now. Watched the moon rise over Mount Graham from Radio Ridge and finished the hike through upper Sabino by moonlight.

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Sep 18 2021

Guides 73
Routes 176
Photos 10,174
Triplogs 2,324

46 male

Joined Sep 08 2006

Shady Lemmon Loop 2, AZ

Hiking		Sep 18 2021
		Jim • Triplogs 2,324

Hiking	10.60 Miles	2,650 AEG

Hiking	10.60 Miles	5 Hrs		2.12 mph
	2,650 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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Marshall Gulch Trail #3