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Feb 09 2012
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rim Trail - GC South RimNorthwest, AZ
Northwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2012
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking15.60 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking15.60 Miles   6 Hrs   15 Mns   2.84 mph
200 ft AEG      45 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Ended up going from Bright Angel lodge to the Hermit Trailhead and back. From Bright Angel trail it is 7.8mi. The bus line is not running along Hermit Road right now. There is hard packed snow along sections of the trail but nothing significant. The first mile or so and last 2.5 miles to the Hermit Trailhead is on a nice paved path. Did not see another hiker the entire time going out and maybe a few dozen cars on the way back.
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Feb 08 2012
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
South Kaibab TrailNorthwest, AZ
Northwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 08 2012
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking17.50 Miles 4,790 AEG
Hiking17.50 Miles   8 Hrs   1 Min   2.59 mph
4,790 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break
 no routes
Partners none no partners
Nice day. Expected snow from forecast but none fell. Temps in the teens and 20s in early morning at the rim but warmed up on the decent. Only 2 segments of ice patch going down South Kaibab. Ran into several groups making the way up the South Kaibab. Bright Angel is clear from the river to the 3 mile rest station and then turns into ice and packed snow the remaining way. Only saw 4 people down at Indian Garden and didn't see a soul on the way up. Beautiful. Water is available at the bottom as well as Indian Garden. Water is not available at the 3 or 1.5 mile stations. The park is dead empty and a great time to go if you get the chance.
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Jan 11 2012
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Peralta to Fremont SaddlePhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 11 2012
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking14.60 Miles 1,440 AEG
Hiking14.60 Miles   7 Hrs   40 Mns   2.28 mph
1,440 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
First time in Superstitions. Made it through to West Boulder Canyon along Peralta and Dutchmans. Decided to hike off trail along a creek bed on the east side of West Boulder Canyon until I met up with the Peralta trail again just north of Weavers Needle and back down. Good signage for Dutchmans, Black Mesa, and Boulder Canyon along the way. Reassuring at least. Nice and a little more manageable off trail hiking compared to the Mazatzals this time of year. Water still available along several spots on and off trail.
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Jan 01 2012
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Gold Ridge Trail, AZ 
Gold Ridge Trail, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 01 2012
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking14.00 Miles
Hiking14.00 Miles   9 Hrs   30 Mns   1.75 mph
   1 Hour   30 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Previously, came down Gold Ridge on the loop from Deer Creek. Going up was quite different. Trail is well marked and decent. Still covered with hard packed snow in areas. I came down the South Fork Deer Creek trail. It's a tough trail to pick up from Pigeon Springs. I didn't see any cairns or trails, although the snow was about 6 inches deep. I just headed down the ridge line to the creek and after a while a random cairn appears after what seemed like an hour or so. I think I spotted about 2 while in the creek. If you don't spot any, just stay in the creek. The brush is thick and sharp and many trees are down. I can't recall seeing a trail along the banks. I must have fallen hard several times as the brush and slippery rocks are tough obstacles after jelly legs from the Gold Ridge and trying to book it for a single day hike. I think canyoneering shoes would serve you best. There are some steep rocks and ledges to scale down. Again, not sure if I was on trail or not, so hiked the majority in the creek itself. About halfway down the Creek, frequent cairns and yellow ribbons appear and the footing gets better. The final 2 miles or so finally get you out of hell onto a visible trail. Plenty of water available. Overall, would be tough navigation coming starting the trail from the Deer Creek headed toward Pigeon Springs.
On a side note, there was a strange setup towards the middle along the trail under a tree. Looked like a bootlegging camp with a tent and garbage everwhere. Bunch of spray cans like someone was huffing. Look abandoned but saw a rifle/bb gun and clothes hanging, so I just minded my own business and made double time away from there.
Also, thanks to whoever put up the yellow ribbons along that portion of the Creek. I would have like to have contributed some cairns at the end but had no clue if I was on or off trail.
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Nov 09 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Emerald Pools - ZionSouthwest, UT
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking2.00 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour      2.00 mph
500 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short hike off the Grotto trailhead to Angel's Landing or from the Zion Lodge. Hikes to a lower, middle, and upper pool. The middle trail was closed due to weather but the other two are open. The upper pool was an actual pool. The lower was a small pool with an active small waterfall. Moderate trail traffic but a nice side hike when you finish Angel's Landing.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Emerald Pools
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Nov 09 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Angel's LandingSouthwest, UT
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,700 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   2.61 mph
1,700 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Beautiful day. Started out cold in the 20s but up to mid 30s when I finished. The trail is essentially paved after the past quarter and up to the saddle. The final 0.5 miles to Angels point is on a narrow pass with heavy chains to assist the climb. No guardrails exist and its a long way down. Pictures don't do it justice. Beautiful view of the entire inner canyon. I went early and ran into one person coming down. On the way down the traffic picked up considerably. It's kind of a pain trying to get by when you start the final push along the edge but everyone is very considerate. Listed at strenuous in books and Zions info booklets but I think its due to the brisk elevation climb in a short stretch.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Angels Landing  Cathedral Mountain
_____________________
 
Nov 08 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Cable and Deertrap MountainsSouthwest, UT
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Nov 08 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking11.50 Miles 1,600 AEG
Hiking11.50 Miles   5 Hrs      2.65 mph
1,600 ft AEG      40 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Day #2 in Zion was strange. Deercreek and Cable mountain are side hikes from the East Rim trail. I picked up the East Rim trail near Stave Springs, where I stopped yesterday from the East Entrance. There's an alternate trailhead near the Zion Ponderosa Resort that puts you about 1.5 miles from Stave Springs. You can bypass Deercreek and Cable mountain and continue to the inner canyon about 4.5 miles and complete the East Rim trail or head back to the East Entrance 5.5 miles. I did an out and back as the shuttles back to the East entrance are shut down for the season. Didn't want to chance a hitchhike back. I'm sure there's an after school special about not doing that.

Again not a soul on the trails, either Deertrap or Cable Mountain. I saw tracks on the Stave Spring stretch from the day before but no others. The single tracks I saw yesterday at the Deertrap and Cable junction were again the only ones. I feel a bit selfish but to have the East Rim solo again was awesome. The trail was full of snow the entire way mixed with mud. It started at 24 degrees and was about 38 degrees when I finished. The views from Deertrap were spectacular but I have to say those from Cable were breathtaking. It gives a full view of the main canyon and the hikes on the other side. 11.5 miles is about dead on. My GPS logged 11.6mi but I did wander around to take pics, which will be posted later. Pics are fuzzy I'm sure I was trying not to vomit from my fear of heights.

The trail to Deercreek is up and down and the climbs aren't terrible. Cable Mountain is strange in that you actually decline to the cliff edge and the hike out is the hardest. Both trails are well maintained and clear. They consist of that sandy silt/mud rather than rocks for the most part. Several deer were encountered as were larger mountain lion tracks but didn't see any cats themselves.

Doing this in the same day with the East Rim/Stave Springs is doable but more of an overnight as the total would be close to 21 miles one way to the inner canyon and about 30miles if you hiked to the inner canyon and reversed. The shuttle from the inner canyon is supposed to stop at the end October but it is running on Sat/Sun throughout November this year. Traffic is allowed in the inner canyon as there was little if any snow there as opposed to the upper rims.

The park traffic is zero. I drove to the Zion Ponderosa trailhead on the Hwy 9 and back to the hotel without seeing a single car or person. All the cabins and B&Bs are empty. I was in a restaurant for a post hike beer with only an older couple in the whole place. Eerie but kind of nice. Reminds me of the Shining.
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Nov 07 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
East Rim Trail to Stave Springs, UT 
East Rim Trail to Stave Springs, UT
 
Hiking avatar Nov 07 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking11.60 Miles
Hiking11.60 Miles   5 Hrs   23 Mns   2.78 mph
   1 Hour   13 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Drove to Zion with a week off from work. The East Rim Trail at Zion National Park has several options. It begins adjacent to the East entrance to the park. Most books describe a long day hike from the East Entrance trailhead to the Weeping Rock area but requires a shuttle back or an overnight stay and backtrack. At about midpoint, Stave Springs, you can finish the 10 mile trail or detour to Cable and Deertrap Mountain and camp. The total mileage with the detour is 20miles one way. I was nursing a bit of an ankle injury from the Mazatzal hike and decided to just hike to Stave Springs, which was about 5.8 miles one way and back. I had the entire East Rim to myself evidenced from the lack of tracks in the snow. I did see one set of tracks heading to the Cable/Deertrap peaks from a trail off the East Rim. It snowed pretty much all yesterday and this morning to about 1-2 inches and low 30s temp wise. The beginning part is a moderate climb to Jolly Gulch and then continues a decent climb before a dropoff to Stave Springs and the junction to Cable and Deertrap Mountain. Ran into about 12-15 deer and saw tracks of a medium sized mountain lion. My peak elevation was 6710ft but didn't feel too winded. It was cold and windy so I apologize for the dull pictures. Plus, I have no idea what this camera does besides point and shoot. Plan a few more hikes to be posted. Any recs?
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Nov 05 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Deer Creek Trail #45Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 05 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking20.20 Miles 2,192 AEG
Hiking20.20 Miles   10 Hrs   40 Mns   2.09 mph
2,192 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I was excited to hear about the snow and rain. Had a bunch of gear I wanted to test. Started out at about 38 degrees but sunny at the trailhead. When I reached Deer Creek it started to rain for a few hours but not bad. The Deer Creek portion puts you directly in Deer Creek. Water level wasn't exciting but climbing through the rocks was slippery. Not sure how deep this gets and even if its possible to navigate with it full. The trail is difficult to find in some places and heavily overgrown in others. Cairns mark the trail in spots. Its very isolated and kind of dark from the canopy along the middle and later third of the trail. Not much elevation gain. As I reached the last third of Deer Creek, there was a lot of elevation gain and then decline back down. The puts you in and out of the Creek so be mindful of the trail and cairns. The final approach to the Peely trailhead is steep and rapid. I had about 1-1.5 inches of snow and light snow and rain were falling. Very pretty.
I couldn't find the link Gold Ridge Trail but this was my route home. It lists at 6.3mi from Mt. Peely road. Trail is much more obvious than Deer Creek other than the snow. Steady deline until final 2 miles then the declines are a bit more steep. I think the total milage is somewhere near 17mi if you hike Deer Creek to Mt. Peely trailhead rather than Davey Gowen trail, which I never saw. I did hike off trail to another creek system and bumped my total to 20.2mi. Dumb in hindsite because it got cold when the sun went down. I think it can be done in a long day hike if you move. There were several old campsites I did encounter.
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Rainbow
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Oct 23 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rock Creek Trail #42 - MazatzalsPayson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 23 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking23.78 Miles 3,877 AEG
Hiking23.78 Miles   12 Hrs      1.98 mph
3,877 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
So I had planned to head up the Barnhardt and meet with Rock Creek but got side tracked scrambling through the Sandy Saddle area. I got beyond Hopi Springs onto the trail but decided to reverse trail as I wanted to up the mileage. The bush gets pretty thick in areas. The trails are never gone but do take some navigating to find. I wound suggest long pants and shirt. Apparently it is hunting season as well. Met a few hunters on the way and several rounds going off in the distance. I waited for a bullet to buzz by at one point. Several side trails are marked on the GPS unit and map but nothing I could easily find or want to navigate in the dark so I circled the entire Brody trail back to the trailhead. Hiking the pitch black with a headlamp was fun. Full view of stars above. A few deer startled me as much I as startled them I'm sure. FYI there is some water scattered at the waterfall and deep on Mazatzal but none at Chilson or Hopi at least at the time...
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Aug 27 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Bear Creek Cyn & Wasatch TR#508 to PassWest, CO
West, CO
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking6.50 Miles 4,911 AEG
Hiking6.50 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   2.60 mph
4,911 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Aug 27 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Ballard Mountain, CO 
Ballard Mountain, CO
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking6.40 Miles 4,700 AEG
Hiking6.40 Miles   5 Hrs      1.28 mph
4,700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Beautiful view of Telluride at 12,818 feet. Short of breath and dizzy with heavy rain but awesome. Did it at end of the Bear Creek trail which is a nice easy stroll to some waterfalls. I'm sure it looks pretty nice in the winter with snowfall.
_____________________
 
Jul 01 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Bright Angel TrailNorthwest, AZ
Northwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 01 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking9.60 Miles 4,380 AEG
Hiking9.60 Miles   4 Hrs   54 Mns   2.31 mph
4,380 ft AEG      45 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The hike down Kaibab wasn't bad at all in the early morning. Shared with only 3 others who started with me. Didn't run into mule traffic.....only their fresh crap and urine. Crossed the bridge and spent about 20 mins mentally preparing for the climb up. Only a few groups of 3-4 it seemed were ascending from the campgrounds this early. If the trail were broken into thirds, which the water stops essentially do, I would say the first bottom third is a mild climb and the last 2/3rds a challenge. Surprisingly, my legs were still solid until the last 1/3. Trail wasn't too crowded until the 3 mile breakpoint. It was close to 110 degrees in the deep canyon with shaded areas kind of spread out. A gentle breeze the last 1.5 miles helped. I carried a 3L and 2L camelpak, which was more then enough given the filling areas at Indian Springs, 3mile and 1.5miles. Would eat fuel gels/energy bars about every hour with electrolyte dissolved tabs in water. Started South Kaibab around 4:20 and finished just before noonish. I didn't stop and take long breaks, just random breaks int he shade over the entire course. Happily, the guy that started the loop with me finished safely as well. Would like to say I could have been fresher at the end, but I was physically and mentally taxed from Humphreys Peak and the Canyon in 2 days. Post-hike steak and beer will wait until later this week when I feel like moving again.
_____________________
 
Jul 01 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
South Kaibab TrailNorthwest, AZ
Northwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 01 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking7.00 Miles 4,790 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   2 Hrs   14 Mns   3.13 mph
4,790 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Grabbed the 4am shuttle and on the trail by 4:20. Warm morning. 3 others climbing down with another single planning the loop up Bright Angel. Got down faster than I expected. My legs still a little sore from hiking Humphreys Peak yesterday morning. Had to use a headlamp for about 30 mins or so in the dark but then the sunrise over the Canyon was worth the early morning hike. Mentally, still a bit consumed by the Bright Angel ascent upcoming.
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  1 archive
Jun 30 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Humphreys Summit Trail #151Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 30 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking10.25 Miles 3,313 AEG
Hiking10.25 Miles   5 Hrs   45 Mns   1.78 mph
3,313 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Mar 29 2011
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Ballantine to Boulder FlatPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 29 2011
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking7.00 Miles 1,380 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   4 Hrs   50 Mns   1.45 mph
1,380 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice hike. Different terrain to navigate if you finish the hike up. Good views of Boulder and Pine peaks.
_____________________
 
Dec 02 2010
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Barnhardt - Sandy Saddle LoopPayson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 02 2010
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking15.00 Miles 4,735 AEG
Hiking15.00 Miles   10 Hrs      1.50 mph
4,735 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Lost for a good 2 hours due to 2 feet of snow. Beautiful with the snow caps and covering the trail. Exhausting but will do it again this winter. Good times.
_____________________
  1 archive
May 22 2010
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Bird's Ridge, AK 
Bird's Ridge, AK
 
Hiking avatar May 22 2010
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking5.00 Miles 3,400 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.67 mph
3,400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Steep and rugged. 2.5 mi up and back. Went in summer but still cold at the summit. Still snow on top with a beautiful view of Chugach bay. Much respect to those who do the annual run up the mountain.
_____________________
 
Dec 24 2009
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Barnhardt Trail #43Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 24 2009
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking24.80 Miles 3,824 AEG
Hiking24.80 Miles   22 Hrs      1.13 mph
3,824 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Well planned an easy day hike but got stuck in the snow and couldn't hike/find the Y-bar segment. Spent a chilly 24 degrees on a rock face about a mile east of the Y-bar in the canyon. An awesome experience and much more respect for the wilderness. Alive is good. Plan on going back next winter for payback.
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  1 archive
Nov 11 2009
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 Photos 66
 Triplogs 26

46 male
 Joined Mar 29 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Boulder Canyon Trail #103Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 11 2009
dwsmith11Triplogs 26
Hiking7.30 Miles 1,500 AEG
Hiking7.30 Miles   4 Hrs      1.83 mph
1,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Rained and rained and rained. A little up close and personal with the water but an opportunity to blaze some trails. Brush was thick and destroyed my shell. Overall a nice a little hike above the Canyon Lake.
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average hiking speed 2.06 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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