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20 triplogs
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Jul 06 2019
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Upper Finger Rock Canyon, AZ 
Upper Finger Rock Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 06 2019
air
Hiking8.00 Miles 3,500 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles
3,500 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice trek through upper Finger Rock Canyon. The start and end have some tight spots but that is what helps to keep it human free. Beehive not too far up from the mortar holes. Water holes are almost bone dry but we finally got some rain in Tucson later. Cicadas deafening. Saw two guys going up shortly after I regained the trial. Other than that only 1 other person and that was near the trailhead early on.
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Feb 22 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Overflow Lot Esperero Shortcut, AZ 
Overflow Lot Esperero Shortcut, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 22 2018
air
Hiking0.93 Miles 477 AEG
Hiking0.93 Miles
477 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
While out exploring I found this trail from the Sabino Canyon overflow lot/SARA area to Esperero between Bird and Rattlesnake canyons. There are some other trails in this area and highpoints that I checked out but got a clean track by reversing the return trip. Saves about 2 miles round trip on any hikes up Esperero or the Rattlesnake Peak route with the added bonuses no tram exhaust or pavement.
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3 archives
Feb 12 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Bear Canyon Road Course, AZ 
Bear Canyon Road Course, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Feb 12 2018
air
Run/Jog4.45 Miles 505 AEG
Run/Jog4.45 Miles      41 Mns   6.51 mph
505 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a nice road course that mostly follows the bear canyon tramway ( I'm not sure if trams go to the LZ?)
The highlight is the helicopter landing zone and its worth it to go up there twice.
15 mph sustained southwest winds put a different perspective on the usually easy last stretch.
This was an E run but the hills were effectively adding speedwork/strides with GAP around 6 to 7.
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3 archives
Jan 20 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Peak Shuttle, AZ 
Tanque Verde Peak Shuttle, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 20 2018
air
Hiking23.00 Miles 5,263 AEG
Hiking23.00 Miles
5,263 ft AEG20 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked linked
Tanque Verde Peak
Partners none no partners
SAHC - Group
Great hike with Linda and Jane. The shutdown and forecasts of higher elevation snow made it a day of zero people encountered on the trail. Loved the overcast skies and cooler temps. The storm turned a bit nasty on the last couple of miles down the ridge.

Douglas Springs to the campground has been brushed since my last visit but parts of Douglas Springs to Cowhead Saddle are still in need of brushing but its still one of my favorite trails.
Tanque Verde Ridge trail from the saddle still has a bunch of catclaw in the trail.
First time for me going down towards Juniper basin from the peak and was surprised how brushy and hard to follow parts of that were. Linda always picked the right path. If I was alone I probably would have wandered off trail a few times.
I loved the forest in the Juniper basin area.

I like the view from Tanque Verde peak more than Rincon peak because there is not a gigantic cairn obstructing the 360 degree view.

The way we setup the shuttle with exit to the Old Spanish Trail trailhead via the road and Cactus Forest trail is the way to do this because the park roads always close at sundown.

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1 archive
Jan 13 2018
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Pima Esperero Traverse, AZ 
Pima Esperero Traverse, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 13 2018
air
Hiking19.54 Miles 6,892 AEG
Hiking19.54 Miles
6,892 ft AEG20 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
SAHC - Group
My first time in upper Pima canyon trail and the Finger Rock trail between the saddle and Ventana junction. Jane led us on this SAHC hike and was nice to meet her and Cindy for the first time. Nice to see Michael again and sorry that Linda had flu symptoms. Cindy moved here from Phoenix and is quite the desert rat as she completed this hike with 48 oz. of water and even had some left at the end. A warm day for January and I finished 3 liters by the time we hit the window and finished off my 4th somewhere around Bridal Veil falls which was dry and I didn't bother going up for more water because it was shady in the canyon. Made it to Sabino Canyon before sunset. Upper Pima and the last stretch of finger rock trail are beautiful but have some tricky spots. Upper Esperero is very brushy in some places and I recommend taking a GPS track and trust there is a trail in the bushes and just plow through. Surprisingly, was able to go out hiking again early this morning at SNP with my wife and we had a nice time as we had the place to ourselves but wow did it get crowded a bit later - it is tourist season.
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7 archives
Dec 29 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Upper Finger Rock Canyon, AZ 
Upper Finger Rock Canyon, AZ
 
Canyoneering avatar Dec 29 2017
air
Canyoneering1.50 Miles 1,250 AEG
Canyoneering1.50 Miles   1 Hour      1.50 mph
1,250 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
I - Short 1-2 hours
 no routes
Partners none no partners
I've always liked to go non-technical canyoneering but lately disappointed at how some of the nicest canyons like Bird and Ventana are no longer possible to really enjoy due to massive amounts of fountain grass. When I was younger I had attempted to go up Finger Rock canyon from the spring and reached the 2nd box before I bailed to the trail in the 100 degree heat. A few months ago I saw some SAHC photos of upper Finger Rock canyon that were amazingly beautiful and so I put it on my list to check out.

NOTE: This off-trail area is part of the Pusch Ridge Bighorn Sheep Management Restricted area and closed from Jan 1st through April 30th.

Was feeling terrible on my way up to Linda Vista Saddle and as I reached the approach trail I thought to myself that I'd just go a bit down the approach trail and sit there for a while and then head back home. Went all the way down to the canyon and it was really nice down there and so I became inspired to do the canyon from the approach crossing all the way up to the trail at 6300 ft.

My exploration of this canyon segment was the most memorable trek I've had in a really long time. Felt like I was in a dream and I didn't want it to ever end but I had an afternoon engagement. I'm sure someone did something more awesome and with more AEG and a tyrolean traverse but for me this was perfect and could have only been better if I saw some animals because surprisingly the canyon was virtually a deadzone that morning.

I never had a chance to meet imike but I think he would have also liked this trek.
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1 archive
Dec 22 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Rillito River Trail 5K, AZ 
Rillito River Trail 5K, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Dec 22 2017
air
Run/Jog3.10 Miles
Run/Jog3.10 Miles      25 Mns   26 Secs7.31 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went to the river path to do a long run but as usual my Altra Escalante shoes are so much fun to run in that training plans got thrown to the wind and I ended up with a 5K PR.
Yeah I know the River Path is very slight downhill or maybe AEG of zero but whatever even the super fit 120-149 pound men who hold all the local trail running records have 5K PRs going down Sabino Canyon Road which is a much steeper downhill and in particular some parts are just perfect for top speed.

This is a joke and slow jogging, not running to anyone who is a serious runner but whatever I somehow got addicted to runners high and I don't care.
My goal is a 22 min. or lower 5K by next year and its going to take at least another 15 pounds lost and training.
Maybe at that point I'll try trail running but hopefully I can force myself to train smart and keep avoiding injury.
This whole week has been impulsive runs that I had no business even trying at my weight.

For a nice change all dogs were on a leash and saw a bunch of happy free dogs in the dog park by the river trail.
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10 archives
Dec 16 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Saguaro National Park Loop, AZ 
Saguaro National Park Loop, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Dec 16 2017
air
Run/Jog10.50 Miles 674 AEG
Run/Jog10.50 Miles   1 Hour   38 Mns   6.43 mph
674 ft AEG3 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Another distance milestone for me but mainly I just wanted to try this popular course in a beautiful setting - oh and see below but also just one time did not want to deal with loose dogs.
The road portion has hills and seemingly endless and it even feels that way when driving so no surprise there.

Shocked to not be sore after this as I didn't think I could even do 10 miles on flat pavement.
Totals hiking/running for the week are 35 miles and 6500 AEG and was a bloated 197# for this run.

Saw a deer and bunny on the road and no vehicles, cyclists, or anyone which is exceptional for a National Park.

Passed three runners on Cactus forest trail and its always stressful for me because any runner could just crank up pace and then I bothered them twice.

Encountered a loose dog on cactus forest trail and I let the owner know that was not allowed even on a leash.
Not afraid of dogs but the encounter with two loose dobermans in my neighborhood a couple of weeks ago was very intense and its almost every time when I go out running no matter where except maybe Sabino canyon I have to deal with loose dogs running at me and I stop while the owners leash them or not and also dogs without owners walking around the neighborhood and I have to somehow be dog expert and read them and I'm getting tired of it.
So many dogparks in Tucson and also the national park has options available for dogs:
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/pets.htm
In the above link it mentions "Some people hike in national parks to avoid dogs" and that was another reason I went here.
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12 archives
Dec 12 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Sabino Canyon RoadTucson, AZ
Sabino Canyon Road
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Dec 12 2017
air
Run/Jog7.50 Miles 744 AEG
Run/Jog7.50 Miles   1 Hour   11 Mns   6.34 mph
744 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Furthest distance running since I started in April plus first time completing this road course.
I took it really slow going up because I wanted to make sure I'd make it the whole way up.
39 up with a fierce headwind and 32 down.

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2 archives
Dec 09 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Ventana Esperero Loop, AZ 
Ventana Esperero Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 09 2017
air
Hiking16.00 Miles 5,000 AEG
Hiking16.00 Miles
5,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
SAHC - Group
My first hike with SAHC and it was led by Linda and Jamie - they are awesome!
Having completed this Linda Miller "A" hike, I think this gives me the golden ticket for just about anything and I'm preparing my body for the 29 mile Douglas Springs / Mica that will likely be offered again sometime.
I had a great time being out in these beautiful canyons and meeting new people.
Bridal veil falls is dry but I checked higher and the second pool up had some water.
Trails are visible and free of grass cover the whole way but Esperero from window saddle towards Esperero canyon continues to be reclaimed by mother nature and brushy.
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3 archives
Nov 11 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Rincon PeakTucson, AZ
Rincon Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 11 2017
air
Hiking14.50 Miles 4,500 AEG
Hiking14.50 Miles
4,500 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The road is in really good condition.

Want to thank all veterans and active for their service and this was in my thoughts all day.
Was great that I had a chance to thank one personally on the summit.
A very young group of guys does a memorial hike every veterans day and was cool to take a picture of the whole group for them.
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Sep 24 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde PeakTucson, AZ
Tanque Verde Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 24 2017
air
Hiking23.50 Miles 5,364 AEG
Hiking23.50 Miles   9 Hrs      3.24 mph
5,364 ft AEG   1 Hour   45 Mns Break15 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've been mainly just running lately - a few hilly 5Ks for breakfast during the week + a long run at the river walk on the weekends. Approaching 100# lost. I haven't even done Blacketts in a while but mainly I felt like doing a long slow hike and I picked this since I have never been to TV peak or past the falls turnoff on Douglas Springs.

The grade of Douglas Springs to Cowhead Saddle is never steep and without any obstacles unless you count the nice stone steps but they can be a pain on the way down. Good to see some benefits of all the training and was able to keep a steady pace around cardio level HR for most of the trip. Cowhead Saddle to the peak was the most challenging though typical of any ridge trail. Catclaw and some overgrowth is present but I never had trouble seeing the trail unlike the situation on some trails in Pusch Ridge right now. This is probably because the vast majority of the grasses on the Douglas Spring trail are natives. Saw just 3 hikers all day and nobody after around the BVF junction. Really enjoyed the warm and dry conditions and spent lots of time on the summit and checking things out on the way down.
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2 archives
Feb 26 2017
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Peak 6865 - CatalinasTucson, AZ
Peak 6865 - Catalinas
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 26 2017
air
Hiking9.00 Miles 4,250 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   8 Hrs      1.38 mph
4,250 ft AEG   1 Hour   30 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I see this peak often so wanted to check it out for a while.
I've turned around on a few other attempts from different routes mainly because I'm a careful person regardless if I have a tracking device or not.
I think all the majestical things to see on the way up this route made this trip way more fun than I expected.

Light snow was on and off most of the day but nothing stuck, and even this attempt at a mini blizzard failed https://vimeo.com/2059...
Flora
Flora
Madrone
Fauna
Fauna
Tarantula
Culture
Culture
Trash Hauled Out
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1 archive
Dec 30 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Point 6237 - Ventana Esperero TraverseTucson, AZ
Point 6237 - Ventana Esperero Traverse
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2016
air
Hiking8.90 Miles 3,700 AEG
Hiking8.90 Miles
3,700 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Tucson and its trails have been really crowded lately but solitude and adventure are not far at all.
This trip featured an alternate descent that I put together based on some previous exploring in the area.
I went down the NW side of the summit tower and followed the east cliff face, to some nice slabs and finally joining the Esperero trail at Geronimo Meadow.
It worked out pretty well - I packed a bushwhack shirt but never felt the need to bust it out.

Off trail to the peak is 3000 ft. in less than 2 miles with a few lower grade sections here and there that are beautiful spots.
The amount and diversity of native plants on the route is a nice change from what is typically encountered at these elevations.
There are many animal trails to follow on the way up and different ways to reach the peak from the end of the approach ridge depending on your scrambling ability.
Flora
Flora
Madrone
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Dec 01 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Yetman TrailTucson, AZ
Yetman Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 01 2016
air
Hiking2.50 Miles 400 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Haven't been to the Bowen house since college so checked it out with my wife and it was really nice to see again.
The area is beautiful and I had to scramble up the nearby hill.
Then we went and watched the sunset at Gates Pass.
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Oct 23 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Ridge TrailTucson, AZ
Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
Tucson, AZ
Volunteer avatar Oct 23 2016
air
Volunteer6.90 Miles 2,000 AEG
Volunteer6.90 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   1.53 mph
2,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked up to the 5k ft. level of the Tanque Verde Ridge trail and mapped/pulled weeds on the way down as a volunteer for the national park.
Beautiful day and really encouraging to see we are winning against Buffelgrass on this trail segment (was able to remove all encountered) but also the previously worked larger patches are doing amazingly well, preventing the large infestations you might find in some other places around Tucson.

There are orientation sessions this friday and saturday at Saguaro National Park for new volunteers.
Please check the Saguaro National Park facebook for details if interested.

The trail does have a few sections still snowed over by Lehmann Lovegrass but not quite as thick or as long in duration as some trails in Pusch Ridge.
Fauna
Fauna
Horse Lubber Grasshopper
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Oct 04 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Window PeakTucson, AZ
Window Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Oct 04 2016
air
Hike & Climb15.30 Miles 5,050 AEG
Hike & Climb15.30 Miles
5,050 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Partners none no partners
First time up window peak.
Thank you to Jim_H for the nice photos and tips that made the peak ascent easy.
Highlight of the trip was the spectacular airshow by about 35 ravens that came in from the west and then circled and played above window peak with acrobatics around the peak.
https://vimeo.com/1857...

Went up Ventana and down Esperero.
Lost the trail more than a few times due to the non-native Lehmann Lovegrass covering the Ventana canyon trail starting around Maiden Pools and also in a few spots on Esperero going down before you hit the creek and then the entire stretch between the creek and Cardiac Gap.
Apparently not just me because some of the wrong turns unfortunately looking more like the trail than the trail itself, you just end up in a spot that doesn't make sense (cliff, pile of boulders, furious looking vegetation)
Not recommended at all or if you do feel you have to go bring a stick and wear pants.
Esperero from Cardiac Gap down is now much better than it was a month ago and I flew down that section.

First time at Bridal Veil falls and the water really helped.
Total water for the day was 6 liters thanks to the one I picked up at the falls.
Flora
Flora
Lehmann lovegrass
Fauna
Fauna
Milkweed Bug
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1 archive
Sep 17 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Little KimballTucson, AZ
Little Kimball
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 17 2016
air
Hiking10.10 Miles 4,700 AEG
Hiking10.10 Miles
4,700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Bobcat sighting in the wash before the spring.
Met a gentleman in the Air Force from Kansas City who hiked Pusch Peak the day before or very recently.
We hiked from the saddle to the summit and then I showed him the Kimball balcony.
Did not see a single chipmunk on Kimball.

A high-altitude balloon was in the sky all day.

Felt strong all the way up and all the Blacketts training is paying off.
Not even sore afterwards so I guess an attempt at a speed hike is on the horizon in a few months.
Wasn't initially planning on it, but I decided to checkout Little Kimball on the way down.
Little Kimball is a very beautiful place and I will be back to explore more of it particularly the east side.

I'm also going to try going down to Pontatoc on the return trip next time.
Finger rock, between around 6100 and 4000 (with the exception of the stretch from the finger rock climbing route junction to just after the linda vista junction), in addition to being rugged and throwing in many boulders to negotiate, has countless small up sections on the way down.
These variations help on the ascent, but on the way down the tediousness really gets to me: 6'1 (standing on back paws) and 29 BMI might have something to do with it.
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1 archive
Aug 24 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Roger's RockTucson, AZ
Roger's Rock
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 24 2016
air
Hiking3.90 Miles 1,116 AEG
Hiking3.90 Miles
1,116 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went to Roger's rock with my wife and it was a beautiful day.
Thank you to fricknaley for initially sharing this description.
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5 archives
Mar 12 2016
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 Guides 2
 Routes 17
 Photos 307
 Triplogs 44

male
 Joined Dec 24 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Point 6237 - Ventana Esperero TraverseTucson, AZ
Point 6237 - Ventana Esperero Traverse
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 12 2016
air
Hiking8.50 Miles 3,700 AEG
Hiking8.50 Miles
3,700 ft AEG
 
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
.
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2 archives
average hiking speed 1.47 mph

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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