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| Hiking | 12.50 Miles |
1,658 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.50 Miles | | | |
| 1,658 ft AEG | | 12 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Parked in the cell phone lot for the AJ airport, met up with @LindaAnn there who was lured to come along with the promise of different scenery and corny jokes. We entered Usery Park , “sadly” the iron ranger was absent today hopefully not from COVID. Heard a little voice behind me saying something like on your mark ,get set, go ,which distracted me from engaging route scout. The desert vegetation whizzed by and without seeing another soul we reached Bulldog Saddle where there was a gathering with picture taking happening. Paused briefly so I could pontificate about the various landmarks visible, Bulldog this and that mostly, told Linda we needed to get going before this group left plus she was scaring me by looking at the path up to 3108 ridgeline like it was an ice cream sundae, didn’t want to chance adding that one.Some of the saddle group did follow us but only confirmed by looking back once on the Pass Mountain trail, quietest group of 6 ladies I never heard! . We took the lower route to Pass Mountain Loop saddle area and proceeded on the loop trail. Usual nice views on this very clear day, looking over of course Bulldog Canyon toward the Blue Point Bridge. Unfortunately the wildflowers didn’t show up today, I think we saw one Chuparosa with a couple of blooms. Have learned if I throw in a couple of hilarious comments I can keep Linda off balance enough to stay ahead  Was granted a break at the junction of Maricopa Trail where we went up toward the descent route for the ridgeline trail, took a little while to find some decent boulders to sit on near 2525, we concluded Fountain Hills fountain wasn’t functioning today. Returning to the trail after the break the number of hikers increased as we approached Wind Cave trail head and from then on. Cut through Pass Mountain trail head to get on Blevins now seeing bikers and horses. After the “long steep ascent” up Cats Peak Pass we skipped the summit ,will catch it next time. Easy walking on Spillway and Ruidoso made it possible to admire the Saguaros ,but Linda kept pointing out the doomed ones  also pointed out the snow visible on the Catalina’s. Observed some nice loops and rolls from the model airplanes as we were exiting. The weather was perfect today, as usual enjoyed Linda’s company , she promised to subject her kids to some humor later. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. Hiking the level trails at Usery is pretty much an easy walk, so I went there because it was so close to home. From the main trailhead staging area, I hiked a loop just under 10 miles: Blevins-Meridian-County Line-Ruidoso-Spillway-Levee-Moon Rock-Lost Sheep-Chainfruit-Blevins. 
It's a wonder they didn't get bit. The snake slithered over to the nearest tree, buzzing the entire way. Not sure how injured it was. I managed to get another picture of it under the tree. 
As I was doing the loop CW they were all going counterclockwise. No wildlife. Great day to be out. Perfect conditions!
