DarthStiller's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 31 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.59 Miles	693 AEG

Hiking	6.59 Miles	3 Hrs 5 Mns	2.14 mph
	693 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

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no partners

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

Hiked one of my usual Sunday go-tos on the Tomahawk Mine Trail but this time I hiked to the west first and did a CCW loop ending up on FR1356 and took that back to the TH. Started out by hiking over towards the defunct mine areas by the Black Queen Mine. Lots of tailings everywhere and the Black Queen Mine is pretty prominent with the big green pool of water.

Saw an owl, a coyote (by the mine) and a mule deer. The coyote and deer were too fast for me to get a pic. Saw one side by side with 2 people a quarter mile from finishing. Weather wasn't too warm or too humid, very moderate.

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Aug 30 2025

Brown's Mountain Summit via Upper Ranch

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Brown's Mountain Summit via Upper Ranch

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 30 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	11.22 Miles	1,032 AEG

Hiking	11.22 Miles	4 Hrs 28 Mns	2.51 mph
	1,032 ft AEG

Linked

Brown's Ranch Road Trail - MSPN

Brown's Mountain Trail - MSPN

Basalt Ridge Trail - MSPN

Stagecoach Trail - MSPN

Hawknest Trail - MSPN

Corral Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

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

Hiked an 11 mile loop from the Brown's Ranch TH starting out by hiking up to the summit of Brown's Mountain while it was still cool. After the summit the loop was Hawknest, Stagecoach, High Desert, Corral, Brown's ranch road. Best views were up at the summit, haven't been up there in about a decade.

no wildlife seen, but I was accosted by a bee at the overlook just below. Lucky enough to not get stung. Saw 2 other hikers on the way to the summit and the rest was bikers. Got a bit warm towards the end but not bad. The higher elevation in this area is just enough to make it bearable at the worst time of year if you get an early start.

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Aug 24 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Gila Monster

Gila Monster

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 24 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.54 Miles	623 AEG

Hiking	7.54 Miles	3 Hrs 17 Mns	2.30 mph
	623 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Old Horse Trail #19

Partners

none

no partners

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

Made a direct route from the Hiero lot to the Holy Hill Trail and hiked that eastward until it ended, then took a trail up to the Gila Monster Trail and hiked that to its end. After that I took a road down to the Old Horse Trail and hiked back to the lot. It seemed cooler than yesterday but was still very humid. Saw a few hikers and 2 bikers. There were 4 or 5 cars at the lot when I started and one left when I got back. It was before 11 when I finished but the heat was starting to kick in a bit more. No wildlife seen, or even cattle, which there a lot of in this area sometimes. Probably too hot for anything to want to move around.

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Aug 23 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Sunrise Trail - MSP

Sunrise Trail - MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 23 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	10.51 Miles	1,758 AEG

Hiking	10.51 Miles	4 Hrs 47 Mns	2.21 mph
	1,758 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

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no partners

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

Started from Lost Dog and hiked to the end of Andrews-Kinsey and turned around. Had shade for the most part on the ascent up the Sunrise Trail. the Andrew-Kinsey has more uphills than I remember, but they aren't bad. The last climb was right away after the turnaround and it was ok. The heat was kicking on the last couple miles, even going downhill.

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Aug 17 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 17 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.51 Miles	751 AEG

Hiking	6.51 Miles	3 Hrs 17 Mns	1.98 mph
	751 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

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

Sunday morning hike in the Goldfields. Hiked back out towards Top Hat to hit a couple of the trails I missed on my last time in this area. seemed kind of warm at first but it never really got hot, which was nice for this time of year. Saw 4 horseriders on my way in and then saw some 4 wheelers east of Top Hat where the road there ends.

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Aug 16 2025

Cave Creek Indian Ruins at Chalk Canyon

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Cave Creek Indian Ruins at Chalk Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	11.40 Miles	1,290 AEG

Hiking	11.40 Miles	5 Hrs 26 Mns	2.12 mph
	1,290 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Cave Creek Trail #4

Spur Cross Trail

Partners

partners

wallyfrack

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

I picked this area because it's just a little higher than metro Phoenix so it's a few degrees cooler, especially with an early start. I did this hike 7 or 8 years earlier, but in the opposite direction.

We actually skipped the ruins by Chalk Canyon. Once we got out of Chalk Canyon, we headed north on the Cave Creek Trail for another mile and then got off trail to check out the plane wreck. Before we even found the plane wreck, Wally spotted the remains of some ruins, which I knew were in this area as well. After checking out the plane wreck, we made our way down to Cave Creek where what's left of a ranch is there. There is a cairned route down there that eventually turns into a primitive road, of sorts. This entire area is full of ruins and sherds all over the place. We could have easily spent hours checking out a huge area here of ruins. It looks like another pueblo and is within eyeshot of the Skull Mesa ruins up above. There area also several flat areas on the way down the hill that have a look of human activity, certainly not natural looking to have a flat area on the hill.

Once the cairned route turns into the road, there a very large petroglyph on a flat rock. A mile south of the ranch were we got down to the creek, we checked out the petroglyphs that are just below the Cave Creek Ruins by Chalk Canyon.

On the way back Wally kicked out 3 deer by a dwindling water source and we spotted a bee swarm hanging out on a branch by the junction of trails 4 and 247. On they way out and again on the way back Wally started hiking up Trail 252, which would have taken him completely off course. Fortunately on the way back I spotted him taking the wrong trail.

It was warm here and there on the way back, but there were several breezes that kept it pleasant. Stayed under 100 the entire time, which is unheard of for August.

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Aug 10 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

High Noon Trail - Hawes

High Noon Trail - Hawes

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 10 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.00 Miles	745 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles	2 Hrs 52 Mns	2.44 mph
	745 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Started from the ATV TH on Ellsworth and did a lasso loop of Lance's Trail, High Noon and Wild Horse. Much more humid than yesterday and I was drenched after only 7 miles. Air and skies were very hazy, I imagine from the fire over in the Anchas. Lots of bikers out but almost no one for my last mile. No wildlife seen, barely even any birds.

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Aug 09 2025

Whiskey Bottle Trail - MSPN

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Whiskey Bottle Trail - MSPN

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 09 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	11.50 Miles	704 AEG

Hiking	11.50 Miles	4 Hrs 26 Mns	2.62 mph
	704 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Watershed Trail - MSPN

Balanced Rock Trail - MSPN

Black Hill Trail - MSPN

Granite Mountain Loop Trail - MSPN

Powerline Road #2 Trail - MSPN

Partners

partners

adilling

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

Got Andy to hike with me for the first time since Wally and I broke him on the AZT on Mt. Lemmon. He did a major hike last week, so I figured he could handle this area.

We started very early and headed up Whiskey Bottle Trail, then took Watershed to Branding Iron, south on the Granite Mt. Loop. Along the way we took detours to check out The Amphitheater and then Balanced Rock, which needed straightened

.

Finished up the loop going to the Powerline Trail and then headed back on the Black Hills Trail.

Very cool to start early on, but the last hour or so it got a bit warm. There were one or two breezes later on, but I would not categorize them as cool. Nice to hike with Andy again and get in a decent hike at this time of year without heat exhaustion.

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Aug 03 2025

Grand Canyon - South Rim - AZT #37

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Northwest, AZ

Grand Canyon - South Rim - AZT #37

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Aug 03 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	12.38 Miles	1,038 AEG

Hiking	12.38 Miles	4 Hrs 54 Mns	2.58 mph
	1,038 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

I started from the hotel and hiked the most direct route I could find to the AZT, which is behind a campground. There is no permissible route to the trail from there, so I had to hop 2 wire fences to get to the road that led to the AZT. Once I was on it, I headed southbound for a bit before I turned around and headed to the South Rim. On the way there, I took the spur to the parking lot that serves as the official AZT access point from Tusayan and then doubled back towards the Rim again.

The paved trail was a bit of a letdown, despite the fact that it's mentioned on the AZT website. This is done for biker tourists, of which I saw a total of about 9. I stayed on the paved path and at some point there seems to be a difference in terms of what the online and published info about the alignment of this trail says, and what the markings on the actual trail says. Once inside the park, the trail markings are not specific at all, and in many cases not marked at all. Without going into all the details, it seems like I may have hiked the equestrian bypass instead of the main trail. But that's according to the trail markings.

Anyway, I hiked to the South Kaibab TH, saw the closed trail there to go into the canyon, and turned around. Radmila and the kids drove into the park and I met up with them once I was done hiking. I hadn't been to the South Rim in 23 years and the scenery was still amazing, as always. It really hits you how far away the North Rim is once you see everything open up. It's also interesting after hiking 10+ miles in the pines when all of a sudden there it is.

Saw several elk, which around Tusayan and the South Rim are everywhere. I don't remember seeing this many elk here before, but it has been over 2 decades.

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Aug 02 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Snowbowl

Flagstaff, AZ

Snowbowl

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 02 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	0.57 Miles	129 AEG

Hiking	0.57 Miles	41 Mns	1.32 mph
	129 ft AEG	15 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Radmila wanted to have a short mini family vacation with the kids since we haven't been able to do that as they've turned into adults. A weekend to the South Rim of the GC was planned, but we needed something to do on the way up to Tusayan since we planned to visit the rim the next morning. Hitting the Snowbowl gondola seemed like the thing to do in my mind, if for no other reason than to enjoying 65 degrees at 11,500' while it's well over 110 in Phoenix.

I had never been up the gondola before and it was pretty nice. The ride up is interesting, and we spotted a deer on the way. Radmila and I hiked to Humphrey's once 23 years ago and I haven't been back up since. This was the closest I've been since then. Once we were at the top of the gondola we had good views of Humphrey's and the trail up there. I took pics and later spotted several hikers that we couldn't see. I'm used to working for the nicer views at these elevations, but with this being a family outing and a way to kill time, it was enjoyable to indulge a bit and take the easy way up.

We hiked up the spur trail, which is only about a quarter mile one way. It was cool to pick out surrounding landmarks. We could see a bit of the Grand Canyon and then while we were up there a big plume of smoke appeared that remained the rest of the day.

After soaking in the sun, scenery and cool weather, we rode back down to 9500' and had a local prickly pear IPA at the bar/restaurant area, which hit us all harder than it normally would have with the elevation.

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Jul 27 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Trans Goldfield

Trans Goldfield

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 27 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.22 Miles	621 AEG

Hiking	6.22 Miles	3 Hrs 4 Mns	2.03 mph
	621 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Started near Blue Point at FR10 on the north end. I headed east on another dirt road at the start and followed it back to FR10 and made a 6 mile loop. There were several other dirt roads and trails I could have followed, but I stuck to the track I made from looking at aerial photos online. Got a later start due to the attendance of a birthday party the night before, but not too late. It still was much warmer than last Sunday's hike in the cloudy weather, but not too bad. No other person seen the entire time, other than distant views of the tubers on the Salt River making a ruckus.

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Jul 26 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Highline - AZT #26

Payson, AZ

Highline - AZT #26

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 26 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	15.48 Miles	2,090 AEG

Hiking	15.48 Miles	7 Hrs 14 Mns	2.27 mph
	2,090 ft AEG	24 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Highline Trail #31

Partners

none

no partners

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

I hiked this section of the trail 15 years ago but either I lost the track or never saved it. It's been so long and I only hiked it once that I basically have no memory of the particulars of hiking the trail.

Got the Geronimo TH just after 7am and headed out shortly after. The weather was very cool to start and the sun low in the sky helped with creating shade with the trees. Lots of nice views of the Rim above and sometimes of the forest of ponderosas below, as well as a few glimpses of the Mazatzals, Four Peaks, and Ord.

Lots of parts of this trail were worked on a few years ago by the AZT staff and several spots were rerouted, I think to make it easier for bikers. I have no objection to that, but repeating a prior complaint, there seems to be a trend where the reroutes add mileage unnecessarily. What the GPS tracks told me was 6.5 miles one way turned out to be 8 miles. I took the old alignments on the way back and even with the sticks and rock they put in the way, I saved time and mileage taking these older routes. At the very least they should update the mileage on these sections sooner than later after they do the work on them.

It got a little toasty by the time I finished, but not like the desert heat in Phoenix. I felt my legs starting to cramp a bit on the way home, so I had a couple extra Gatorades then to hydrate.

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Jul 20 2025

Willow Springs Canyon Upper

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Willow Springs Canyon Upper

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 20 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	8.57 Miles	505 AEG

Hiking	8.57 Miles	4 Hrs	2.16 mph
	505 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Dmitri surprised me asking the night before if he could join me on my hike. It turned out he picked the best day in July to go out for a hike because the skies were overcast the entire time, keeping the weather much cooler than usual and the sun off of us.

At the start I noticed what looked like a mine downstream of where we were going to hike up Willow Springs Canyon. we made a short side trip there to start and quickly found that this was maybe a prospect, if even that.

Got back on the wash and then took the FR12 up and over the rough parts and then back into Willow Springs Canyon. When FR12 veered to the right, we stayed in the wash and went another almost 2 miles before turning around.

On the way in Dmitri was hiking way ahead of me and I could he how he stopped and then moved to the side he had spotted a rattler. I caught up to him and it had retreated to a grassy patch where I couldn't see it but could still hear it buzzing.

the upper end of the canyon is where the scenery gets much nicer with the higher walls. the wash is a little rougher to walk in but not too bad. There was a hawk that was screeching at us as we walked in and then again on our way out. I think it was looking for breakfast and we were messing with its plans.

On the way back where FR12 climbs up and over the wash, we opted to stay in the wash and do a little bouldering in the narrow spots, which wasn't too bad. Dmitri had to adjust a bit but he did very well. Much better than the early days well over a decade ago.

The weather didn't make for the greatest lighting for pictures, but I was more than happy to make that trade off in the middle of July.

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Jul 19 2025

Granite Mountain Loop Trail - MSPN

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Granite Mountain Loop Trail - MSPN

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 19 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	12.11 Miles	735 AEG

Hiking	12.11 Miles	4 Hrs 21 Mns	2.78 mph
	735 ft AEG

Linked

Balanced Rock Trail - MSPN

Turpentine Trail - MSPN

Powerline Road #2 Trail - MSPN

Granite Mountain Trail - MSPN

Yucca Trail - MSPN

Chuckwagon Trail

Partners

none

no partners

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

Stayed local because it seemed like the monsoon was getting more active to a trip north might be a bit dicey. Started from the Granite Mtn TH and did trails that I haven't done in nearly a decade or more. Took Powerline #2 to Granite Mtn Loop, back down to Powerline, up Balanced Rock, down Chuckwagon, east on Powerline again, south on Yucca then back to the TH on Turpentine. It was a 12 mile figure-8 of sorts.

Clouds to the east kept the weather cooler to start, then had a bit of shade from Granite Mtn on the west side. Got a little warm on the last mile, but overall pretty decent temps. Made very good time, under 21 minutes for almost every mile. Traffic was light, but steady. Only wildlife was a hawk on a powerline tower early on screeching at me until I took out my camera, and then it took off.

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Jul 13 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Meridian Trail

Meridian Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 13 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	9.67 Miles	404 AEG

Hiking	9.67 Miles	4 Hrs 6 Mns	2.39 mph
	404 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

Linked

Channel Trail - Usery

Noso Trail - Usery

Partners

none

no partners

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

Started from the Meridian TH that's about a half mile south of the Meridian/Bulldog Pass TH at the very end of Merdian Road, getting on the flat and easy trails right away. Made a big loop of Meridian, Blevins, Chainfruit, Lost Sheep, Moon Rock, Channel, Noso and back to Blevins and Meridian. I had just a little bit of shade when I started as the sun hadn't quite hit the horizon yet. By the end it was getting hot as it does this time of year. The last 2 miles when I got to the benches in the park I stretched my legs out on them as my legs were feeling a little stiff once I hit the 8 mile mark.

Lots of hikers and bikers seen, fewer as the morning wore on. No wildlife spotted, but I did see a track from a snake across the Meridian Trail on my way back, so I guess I just missed a diamondback at some point. Finished up just before 10am.

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Jul 12 2025

Great Horned Owl Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Great Horned Owl Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 12 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	10.85 Miles	1,459 AEG

Hiking	10.85 Miles	5 Hrs 14 Mns	2.10 mph
	1,459 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Hawk's Nest Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Desert Tortoise Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Valle Vista Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Union Peak Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Cactus Wren Trail - Sonoran Preserve

Partners

none

no partners

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

Started from the Desert Vista TH and took the Hawk's Nest Trail to Desert Tortoise and Valle Verde to the Great Horned Owl trail and up to Union Peak. On the way back down, took the Cactus Wren Trail around and finished the Great Horned Owl loop, and then headed back to the car.

Weather was actually really nice at the start, no major heat lots of breezes and wind to chase away the heat. By the end, it did get a little toasty. Most of the foot traffic was spotted early, but even as I finished up after 11am, there were some stragglers getting a later start in the heat.

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Jul 05 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Rachel Carson Trail

Pittsburgh, PA

Rachel Carson Trail

Pittsburgh, PA

Hiking		Jul 05 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.13 Miles	1,414 AEG

Hiking	6.13 Miles	3 Hrs 21 Mns	1.83 mph
	1,414 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Started from the parking area along Bull Creek Road, where I had hiked 3 years ago and headed the other way. This time I headed westbound and hiked to past where I left from 17 years ago when I hiked the first section of the RCT that I've done.

This is basically a suburban trail, and yet at times it can seem remote. This section parallels a highway, whose traffic you can year, but at times it's quieter as you get away and the chirping birds begin to drown it out a little. The majority of this hike was in the shade of the trees, even as the sun got higher in the sky. The temperature was pretty cool for the majority of the hike, although the humidity was high enough to be completely soaked in sweat down to my knees when I was done, and I didn't finish my Camelbak.

On the way back I followed a jeep road that took a longer route but avoided the climb over a hill. It was nice to be up higher and look at the ridges in the distance across the deep valleys that this trail crosses into and out of constantly.

The trail was much more maintained that the Twin Lakes Trail I was hiking 2 days earlier. Every summer solstice the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge happens where everyone tries to finish the entire 40-some mile trail in a day, of which very few do. I was content to get this short section in during the morning and call it a day.

No wildlife seen but many deer tracks in the mud. Saw one other hiker and one trail runner.

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Jul 03 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

North Allegheny, PA

North Allegheny, PA

Hiking		Jul 03 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.45 Miles	599 AEG

Hiking	6.45 Miles	4 Hrs 13 Mns	1.65 mph
	599 ft AEG	19 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Drove back to where I left off the day before and continued westbound on the trail. I planned on going in over 5.5 miles, but had to stop at 3 miles in due to a damaged creek crossing.

The trail starts off along a dirt road with a very small pullout to park at. It continues as another narrow dirt road into the shady woods. It's pretty easy going at first, downhill and mostly clear of vegetation. After a mile, it narrows to a single track and starts the ups and downs. There are 2 overgrown areas in the sunlight then a shady level area in the pines that crossed Wolf Run.

After that, the trail gets closer to Tionesta Creek and stays in the sun. It also gets massively overgrown with shoulder to eyebrow height vegetation. The markers let me know that I was actually on the trail, but it didn't make any difference whether I was on it or now. It was at this point that I noticed I was off the track I made but still on the trail track in Route Scout. At some point the trail was supposed to cross the creek, which was a few feet deep. I finally found the makeshift bridge, but it was partially under water. I stepped on it with one foot to test it out and it was very slick and impassable. From there it was easy to call it a day and head back.

I stopped nearby in a shady area by the creek and had an early lunch. There were 2 large fallen pines across the creek which made a crossing more a possibility here. I contemplated it briefly but decided against it. The trail was very hard to follow at this point and looked like it stayed along the creek for the rest of what I intended to hike that day.

Once I finished lunch, 3 rivers otters surfaced from under the pines. It took a minute for them to spot me, and then they were spooked. They made several grunting noises at me, which seemed similar to a small dog barking. One swam under a mat of floating stick and stuck its head up out of the water at me, grunted, and then took off. Kind of cool to see some rarely seen wildlife like this.

Got back to the car fully soaked from sweat and overgrown wet vegetation. There is still another 6 miles of this trail that I haven't hiked, at which point it junctions with the North Country Trail, which goes thru PA and a few others nearby states. It appears that the western end of this trail isn't maintained very well, so I don't think I'll be very motivated to try to complete this soon, at least not in the summer when the forest is overgrown.

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Jul 02 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

North Allegheny, PA

North Allegheny, PA

Hiking		Jul 02 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	12.02 Miles	1,357 AEG

Hiking	12.02 Miles	6 Hrs 59 Mns	1.82 mph
	1,357 ft AEG	22 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

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Continued some section hiking on the Twin Lakes Trail, not far from my camp. There is a small parking area just off Route 66 in northern PA that I started from. I hiked eastbound to where Dmitri and I left off 3 years ago in the fall, then headed back. The trail starts up a hill immediately, then goes downhill and gets very hard to follow in an overgrown section near Wolf Run. It then ascends some and levels out. It gets hard to follow again in one spot past a gas line crossing.

After I got back to the car, I ate lunch and then headed westbound to the next parking area, 3.5 miles away. Westbound the trail again does another big ascent and continues on ups and downs throughout the forest. The trails here are remote and overgrown with many recent rains. It was almost constant knee to waist high grass and vegetation, which resulted in my feet being soaked when I was done. Coming back on the western section I did, I saw a married couple with a young black lab that was started to see another person out in the middle of nowhere. They appeared to be volunteers for the game commission and were setting out game cameras.

Temperature was much cooler that in Phoenix, but also pretty humid. My shirt was soaked by the time I was done, but also didn't need much water. No wildlife seen.

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Jun 22 2025

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Hawes Trail System

Hawes Trail System

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 22 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.79 Miles	1,003 AEG

Hiking	7.79 Miles	3 Hrs 48 Mns	2.10 mph
	1,003 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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