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| Hiking | 7.40 Miles |
1,100 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.40 Miles | 3 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.28 mph |
| 1,100 ft AEG | | 25 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Headed out on Holbert Trail, leaving the trailhead at about 10 am. I was breaking in a new backpack, so had some extra gear stuffed more than I needed. I hiked with my dog, and she did great the entire trail. The trail starts off fairly flat and easy in the foothills towards a water tank. At the tank, it breaks up and South into the mountains. You follow a valley up, and pretty soon you have views North of the Phoenix metro area. By the time you reach the top, after about 2.5 miles, can see pretty much from the White Tank Mountains all the way to the Superstitions. We took the detour switch backs up to Dobbins Overlook (about 1/4 mile one-way)? Where there is a parking area (and toilets) as well as scenic views. We ran into more people here than anywhere else, as you can drive to this view as well. R
Returning down to Holbert Trail, we continued South to National Trail, crossing the road once. After intersecting with National Trail we headed West up towards the antennas scattered on the top of South Mountain. Outside of Holbert trail, this had the second steepest section of the trip. I did not encounter anyone on the trail after leaving Dobbins Overlook. Solitude, and my dog was able to really just enjoy the hike as well! National trail follows South Mountain, maintaining good views and a really good sonoran desert landscape of saguaros, ocotillos, chollas, barrel cactus, and ironwood & mesquite trees. Lots of interesting rock weathering as well lichen on the rocks as well. Great for photography.
After heading down to the intersection of Telegraph Pass we broke back North down Kiwanis trail. Kiwanis has a few more "step" sections than Holbert did, but fewer switchbacks. A bit harder on the knees I felt. However, you descend a valley still in the lush sonoran "forest" and end up at a picnic site and trailhead. At this point, we followed Los Lomitas Loop, which had evidence of lots of horse traffic, and sure enough just before running into the intersection of Los Lomitas and Box Canyon Loop we ran into two people riding horseback. Stepping aside and letting them pass was important as I didn't want my dog spooking the horses. We went a bit off the trail to ensure no problems, and the riders were very friendly and appreciative. Finished off Box Canyon Loop back to the trailhead and parking lot, and completed the somewhere between 7.2 and 7.5 miles in three hours, fifteen minutes. Next time, I'll need to get an accurate distance measurement of the Dobbins Overlook. This is a long, but good winter hike! |
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