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Mar 14 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Wasson Peak via Sendero Esperanza TrailheadTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 14 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking7.60 Miles 1,770 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   3 Hrs      2.53 mph
1,770 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Flower are mostly higher up, but there are plenty of them. Lupines and poppies, mostly.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Mar 11 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Safford Peak (Sombrero)Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 11 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,637 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,637 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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PrestonSands
Preston joined me on my 80th summit of Sombrero. Not as warm as I hoped, but overall pretty nice. Trail wasn't too bad.

Lots of wild flowers for much of the hike. Poppies, Dichelostemma capitatum, Lupines, and Brittle Bush is just beginning. Even if you don't like Sombrero or the 1200' "Sombrero trails" option, the Scenic loop has plenty of flowers in a short hike.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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  1 archive
Feb 04 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Esperero Trail #25Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 04 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking14.75 Miles 4,800 AEG
Hiking14.75 Miles
4,800 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
PrestonSands
Brian, Preston and I were planning on Window Peak. The forecast seemed like a good day for it, and earlier season hiking here means there will be water and it won't be as hot down lower. Unfortunately, Window Peak was not to be. Preston turned back after Bridal Falls due to serious moral and ethical objections with violating the regulations pertaining to the sacred Bighorn Sheep. He simply won't violate any law, regulation, or statute, no matter what. Brian and I found the trail conditions past Cathedral Rock Trail #26 junction to be less than ideal, so we opted to relax and enjoy the saddle.

Few people seem to hike beyond the junction with trail #26, and to my surprise the visible section of #26 looked to be well maintained. Esperero was not, past that junction, though work may be planned. It was marked with flagging and cairns, but some areas were a bit harder to navigate due to down trees. However, as we crested the saddle we could see the snow on the north east face of Window Peak, and neither of us wanted to deal with the combination of snow and thorny New Mexican Locust. After the Bighorn Fire in 2020, it seems a good deal of New Mexican Locust has grown in over the trail where we turned back.

Also, we had no idea of the trail to the top, and there was abundant ice on the rocks above. For all we knew, Window Peak was completely inaccessible due to snow and ice in the canyon leading to the summit, with ice preventing the final 25 feet of climbing. Last, we heard numerous crashes of ice breaking off and falling down. So, we opted to relax and eat lunch in the sun at the saddle and turned back from there. Hiking down was enjoyable, and very pleasant in the desert with mild sweet smelling air and a full moon to finish.

A party did go beyond where we turned back, and as we were starting to leave we could hear them either on Window Peak, or the further Ridgeline section of Esperero where it nears Ventana Canyon. Also, a woman from North Carolina was considering Window Peak, but was unable to due to her time when she reached the junction with #26, and then a group of 3 early 20s hikers was coming up to the saddle when we were descending and they stated that Window Peak was their destination. I don't know if those 3 made it or not, or if the other group we heard did, but I was impressed with the number of people who wanted to summit Window Peak today. My experience has always found it to be something no one does. Maybe due to me mostly hiking it from Ventana Canyon?

I did not find any Esperero Trail Routes that were not HAZbot and went beyond trail #26, so I used Esperero-Ventana GPS routes. I re-used GPS Joe's route from 2008 and also RVCarters route from 2014. I know relatively little about the accuracy of GPS routes, and unfortunately no one has posted a route to that hike since 2014, so they are older and maybe less accurate than a new one. Or, not, I don't know.

I was impressed by my GPS :: Window Peak stats from 2015 when we were heading out for this. I consider that a big hike. That route was produced from GPSJoe's 2008 route. I cut it at the summit of Window Peak, cloned and reverse one, joined the ends, synced it, and viola! A route is born. For today's hike I repeated this process with the Hazbot route, as well as the other two routes. Hazbot had the highest at over 4900' of AEG, and GPS Joe had the lowest. I opted to take a mid-point between Joe's Route and RVCarter's Route. So, that is where I got the stats and I will post the route that I made from RVCarter. I know most don't care one bit about the stats I post, but I don't want to hedge inaccurately, and well, I was impressed we managed to hike as much as we did yesterday.

Basically, maybe we didn't go to Window Peak, but that was still a very big hike.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Esperero Canyon Medium flow Medium flow
Will flow for a while with the snow and ice higher up.
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  2 archives
Jan 25 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Wasson Peak via Sendero Esperanza TrailheadTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 25 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking7.60 Miles 1,770 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   3 Hrs      2.53 mph
1,770 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
PrestonSands
Afternoon hike with Preston to Wasson Peak. On top, I realized it was my 31st summit of Wasson; 1 via Hugh Norris, 3 via this route, 6 via Kings Canyon, and 21 via the Sweetwater Trail. And to think in the past I didn't like Wasson.

Much colder than expected, and there was snow on the trail above the junction with Hugh Norris. Quite windy the entire time. Interestingly, Preston said this was his first time up Wasson since March of 2015 when he ran into me starting up the Kings Canyon Trail as he and his now wife were finishing up (the hike).

Coyote walking the road near the pass coming back.
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Jan 21 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Bridal Wreath Falls LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 21 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking8.70 Miles 1,480 AEG
Hiking8.70 Miles
1,480 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After the heavy wet storm was the perfect time to hike to Ernie and Bridal Falls. Cold and sunny nice day for it. Lots of people out, but most go to Bridal Falls, not Ernie Falls. Lots of flowing water. With Brian.
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Jan 19 2023
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Mount Lemmon Snowshoe, AZ 
Mount Lemmon Snowshoe, AZ
 
Snowshoeing avatar Jan 19 2023
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Snowshoeing5.50 Miles 1,200 AEG
Snowshoeing5.50 Miles   5 Hrs      1.38 mph
1,200 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Partners partners
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

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 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
Dec 31 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Waterman PeakTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 31 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking2.10 Miles 1,190 AEG
Hiking2.10 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   0.93 mph
1,190 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Last hike of 2022, and it was new for me so I get my 500th unique hike, which is nice. I also was able to log well over 900 miles for the year and 300,000 feet of AEG for the first time since 2014, and that was really nice.

Not a bad hike. One I would do occasionally. A bit of a long drive for the length of it, but perfect for a day like today. I like that the road is paved 99% of the way.

After the hike proper we hiked around in the area of the rare cactus. Quiet a few of them out there and they are reproducing.

Happy New Year! Tomorrow all the stats reset to zeros! ](*,)
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Dec 25 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Tortolita Preserve LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 25 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking9.30 Miles 502 AEG
Hiking9.30 Miles
502 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Mike_W
Lots of people, but also lots of cows. They look healthy, but do I ever feel bad for these cattle. They eat cholla like candy, and prickle pear, too. It looks horribly painful, which might explain why all of the ones eating the cholla are drooling. Also, I noticed the more skillful ones drop the cholla into their mouth and chew it without getting it on their lips or tongue.
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Dec 24 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Ventana Peak - Sawtooth MountainsTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 24 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking7.00 Miles 1,100 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles
1,100 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Mike_W
High point of the Saw Tooth Mountains at 2630' with Brian and Mike. Real nice day. Lots of pottery, an arrow straightener, and possibly a grinding stone. Merry Christmas.
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Dec 21 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Mount Kimball via Finger RockTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 21 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking9.50 Miles 4,400 AEG
Hiking9.50 Miles   6 Hrs   20 Mns   1.68 mph
4,400 ft AEG      40 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I wanted to see how the Finger Rock trail is and I thought this might be a good choice for what will likely be my last big hike of the year. The trail is probably in the best shape I have seen it in, in years. Certainly pre-fire. There is a little catclaw above Linda Vista Saddle, but it is easy to get around. Overall, conditions are pretty much the same from the canyon to the summit.

It was very crowded at the trailhead, and I ended up parking down the road a bit. Unusually, the lot still had a lot of vehicles in it late in the day. I ended up not seeing anyone above Linda Vista. It was pretty busy lower, but not terrible for here.

On the summit, I had to sit in the sun away from where I normally sit, due to snow and ice, and it being shaded. Small patches of snow are all that is left. Nice and quiet up top. General silence was broken only by a few chickadees.

Air quality was noticeably bad again, and worse to the NW and the Valley. I suspect that a lot of the haze in Tucson and Pima/Pinal County is actually originating in the Phoenix Metro area. On Kimball, looking at things like the Saw Tooth Mountains, a thick layer of pollution surrounded them. I hope that abates by the weekend, as 2630 is the plan for Saturday. Up here, at least it was crisp clear air when looking at things like Window Peak.
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Dec 10 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Old Baldy Trail #372 to Wrightson SummitTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 10 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking11.60 Miles 4,043 AEG
Hiking11.60 Miles   8 Hrs   30 Mns   1.50 mph
4,043 ft AEG      45 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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PrestonSands
Preston and I hiked Wrightson on a pretty nice early winter day. Today was my 40th time on old Baldy.

Everything is pretty wet, as is to be expected after the heavy rain last weekend. Trails on the southern exposures are muddy in spots, but pleasantly frozen on northern exposures above 8500'.

Today was the last time I would summit Wrightson without my old mountaineering crampons, until spring. I wouldn't do this after the predicted snow for Monday, without them, as the trail around Wrightson Seep/ Spring is covered in slick and thick ice. It was passable without snow, but with snow, I wouldn't. If you have basic traction, bring it, but I still think full mountaineering crampons are what you will need. Drop offs being right under that area, and all. Your choice.

After the summit, we dropped around the back side and hiked the Super Duper trail back to Josephine Saddle. Very wintry on that north side. Baldy Spring is still liquid with plenty in the box (not the trough), though this will probably be snow covered or frozen, soon.

The Super Trail had a lot of work done this last year, and the overgrown brush has been cleared off the path. Passage was easy.

The FS really, really doesn't want you to visit Josephine Peak. The sign telling you not to go to Josephine Peak is now dated to December 2022, and is framed in plexiglass. Unbelievable.

Finished after dark, but it was a great hike.
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Dec 08 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Safford Peak (Sombrero)Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 08 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,637 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   50 Mns   2.18 mph
1,637 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Dec 05 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Sombrero TrailsTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 05 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking3.00 Miles 1,200 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.00 mph
1,200 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Dec 02 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Pusch PeakTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 02 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking3.90 Miles 2,645 AEG
Hiking3.90 Miles   3 Hrs      1.30 mph
2,645 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The trail is really worn in, so there is no reason to get lost out here. This was "discovered" 5 years ago, now it just is. Saw 6 other people hiking the Pusch section, more on the loops. Sometimes I can't believe I have hiked this as much as I have.
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Nov 30 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Old Baldy Trail #372 to Wrightson SummitTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 30 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking10.40 Miles 4,043 AEG
Hiking10.40 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   1.89 mph
4,043 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It might be stormy this weekend so I hiked today. Pretty nice out. Mild to cold on the summit. Trail is 99% dry, but there are small sections with ice on it. Not sure how it will be after the storm.

Bellows is flowing under the rock as you can hear it, but the fall section is ice and it seems useless for hikers at this point. Same for the seep on the trail higher up above the saddle. Frozen, I mean, as it is always useless.

Still impressively moist here. Not just soil moisture on the trail, but flowing water lower down.
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Nov 19 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Atascosa PeakTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 19 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking7.00 Miles 2,490 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   7 Hrs      1.56 mph
2,490 ft AEG   2 Hrs   30 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
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Mike_W
Myself, Brian, and Mike hiked both the old lookout hill and the official Peak of the same name. The trail is fine, but there is a lot of catclaw. Past the lookout foundation, the route is fairly good, though there is a good deal of catclaw right at the beginning. Once out a way that is gone.

For some reason I thought a lot of people came down here to hike this, but I see I was wrong. It seems like only 1 person makes repeated trips to this area to hike. It is a nice hike, but seems like the drive wouldn't be worth it, alone. Great views, but really far to go to get them.
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Nov 17 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Safford Peak (Sombrero)Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 17 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,637 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   55 Mns   2.09 mph
1,637 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Felt like tagging both summits, so I did. 75th time on Sombrero Proper.
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Nov 15 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Safford Peak (Sombrero)Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 15 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking4.20 Miles 1,850 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   1.87 mph
1,850 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
With the beautiful January weather we are having I thought I would hike Sombrero and try to find the hole in the rock. It's November you say? Wow, okay then.

After Sombrero I started on the ridge over towards Panther. I didn't have enough day light left when I got 2 nobs over and saw the hole. It was interesting, but I had a big drop down and another rise to get to it, so I turned back. Maybe some day I will visit it, but I was less impressed seeing it myself. I went back the way I came. I figure I did at least 200' of additional AEG.
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Nov 12 2022
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 Guides 64
 Routes 75
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Four Springs TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking8.50 Miles 2,985 AEG
Hiking8.50 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   1.55 mph
2,985 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Mike was out but Brian and I hiked to Armour Hot Dog Springs on the upper Four Springs Trail. Very nice day.

We originally thought we would perhaps do the full loop or at least head to the Crest Trail junction, but there was icy snow on the trail, as that is a north aspect, just past the spring. So, feeling lazy we opted to relax there a while and turn back. It was nice at the spring.

The major drainages were all flowing, so plenty of water.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Armour Spring Dripping Dripping

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Kent Spring Dripping Dripping
Had water in the box.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Sylvester Spring Gallon per minute Gallon per minute
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Nov 09 2022
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 Guides 64
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 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,069

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Tortolita Preserve LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2022
Jim_HTriplogs 2,069
Hiking6.90 Miles 340 AEG
Hiking6.90 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   3.07 mph
340 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Clockwise and used the cut off to shorten the hike since the weather was turning and the sun set was nearing. Busier this time. Multiple bicycle riders, 2 on horseback, and two joggers.
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average hiking speed 1.78 mph
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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