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14 triplogs
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Jan 30 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur CrossPhoenix, AZ
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur Cross
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 30 2019
gad38
Hiking3.64 Miles 690 AEG
Hiking3.64 Miles   1 Hour   37 Mns   2.32 mph
690 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick hike today as I was a little low on energy for some reason.
Jan 28 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Gateway Loop Trail - MSPPhoenix, AZ
Gateway Loop Trail - MSP
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 28 2019
gad38
Hiking4.65 Miles 838 AEG
Hiking4.65 Miles   1 Hour   44 Mns   2.76 mph
838 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A nice conditioning hike. Not too crowded today, but still saw a fair number of folks on the trail.
Jan 27 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Cottonwood Spring Loop - Cave CreekPhoenix, AZ
Cottonwood Spring Loop - Cave Creek
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 27 2019
gad38
Hiking4.05 Miles 363 AEG
Hiking4.05 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   2.67 mph
363 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked opposite direction up Spur Cross to spot where I lost Trail last week after finishing Limestone Spring Trail from West to East.
Jan 23 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Limestone Trail #252 - Spur CrossPhoenix, AZ
Limestone Trail #252 - Spur Cross
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 23 2019
gad38
Hiking6.54 Miles 1,103 AEG
Hiking6.54 Miles   3 Hrs   37 Mns   1.86 mph
1,103 ft AEG      6 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Fun solo hike on Limestone trail today. First time I’ve been on this trail, but it looked simple enough and it was a cool day. Started st Spur Cross and hiked NW on Spur Cross trail eventually transitioning to Tortuga trail and then elephant mountain trail. I only hiked a short way on elephant mountain trail and went on the trail to the Tonto national forest when elephant mountain trail veers west sharply at about 1.7 miles. Following the rocky trail aNorth about .1 miles took me to the gate to the TontonNatoonal Forest. The trail continues uphill for another .3 miles where it joins the Limestone trail. Taking a right at the intersection and heading Northeast put me on the Limestone Trail that runs over 2 miles to Cave Creek (the actual creek - not the town). This trail is very rocky in spots with narrow chutes and loose rock underfoot.
Today the hike was very lush following all the rain we have received this year. A small hill on the south side of the trail shortly after getting on the Limestone trail provided great views of the surrounding mountains and the town of Cave Creek to the South. I crossed two springs - Page Spring and Limestone Spring. Page was dry except for maybe a gallon of water but n a pool, but no dripping water. Limestone Spring was running at well and bet a gallon per minute. Once I reached Cave Creek at the East end of the Limestone trail, I was greeted by the sounds of running water in the creekbed. Running water is always s welcome sound when you live in the desert.
The only downside to this hike was missing trail#4 and being forced to follow the creek back to the main trail home, so don’t use my route as a guide for your trip. I ended up bushwhacking some and getting scratched up by the Hackberry.
Flora
Flora
Cheeseweed
Jan 22 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Gateway Loop Trail - MSPPhoenix, AZ
Gateway Loop Trail - MSP
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 22 2019
gad38
Hiking4.64 Miles 833 AEG
Hiking4.64 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   2.65 mph
833 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout GPS Route Recorded on Route Scout View
Heavily used trail in Scottsdale. Great for a conditioning hike of roughly 4.5 miles. Suggestions- if you want a steeper, but shorter ascent take the left (Northern) route. If you want a less steep, but longer 2.5 miles vs 1.5 miles take the right (Southern) route. The Southern route has more sun exposure, especially in the morning and later in the afternoon.
Jan 20 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
China Wall Trail w/Bronco Creek #287Phoenix, AZ
China Wall Trail w/Bronco Creek #287
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 20 2019
gad38
Hiking8.74 Miles 1,565 AEG
Hiking8.74 Miles   4 Hrs   24 Mns   2.28 mph
1,565 ft AEG      34 Mns Break4 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Great day for a hike today - nice cool breeze, temps in mid to high 60s and blue sunny skies. Left Bronco TH around 11:00 am and hike to where it joins the former trail 287 which drops straight down to the creek bed. We followed the often disappearing trail to an old corral with a cow skull on a fence post, according to Route Scout this was a little over 4.25 miles. (Route Scout was very useful in keeping us on the trail when it disappeared). The heavy rains we have had this winter have made the hike very lush, including one meadow that was covered with green grass and another area with a standing water pool.

Need to learn how to interpret Route Scout info. Though the trail from Bronco TH To China Wall was only 3.5 miles (one way), but after hiking 4miles plus the you’re looked like it had at least 2 more miles to reach the China Wall.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some yellow California Poppies along trail 245
1 archive
Jan 17 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Spur Cross TH to Elephant Mtn TH, AZ 
Spur Cross TH to Elephant Mtn TH, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 17 2019
gad38
Hiking1.71 Miles 464 AEG
Hiking1.71 Miles      45 Mns   2.33 mph
464 ft AEG      1 Min Break4 LBS Pack
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Thu 3:39 pm
Quick trek from Spur Cross trailhead to Elephant Mountain Trail where it splits from Tortuga Trail. Good conditioning trip if you have limited time. Mostly flat and uphill going out and then mostly downhill and flat coming back. 3.4 miles round trip and around one hour and 20 minutes round trip.
1 archive
Jan 07 2019
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Brown's Ranch South Loop, AZ 
Brown's Ranch South Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 07 2019
gad38
Hiking5.31 Miles 267 AEG
Hiking5.31 Miles
267 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice 5 mile plus hike through pretty desert foliage with less traffic than on trails North of the trailhead at Brown's Ranch visitor center. Start in the SW corner of the parking lot and follow trail up to Sunset Vista (hill to the south of the parking lot). Travel over the top of the hill and down the other side. Stay to the left at the trail intersection and proceed across the Brown's Ranch entry road (Alma School) on the crosswalk. Follow trail east for about 2 miles passing 114th street trail and 118th street trail. Head North (left) on the Whiskey Bottle Trail (approximately 2.25 miles from start in parking lot) for a little over a mile and a half (3.4 miles from start) until it hits the Powerline Road. Head West (left) a short distance on the Powerline Road until you see the Vaquero trail on the right side of the trail (just past the wide path heading South (118th?)). Take the Vaquero Trail West for about 8/10 of a mile until it reaches the Brown's Ranch Road. Turn left (South) on Brown's Ranch Road and hike back to the visitor's center/parking lot (a little under 1 mile).
Dec 20 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Spur Cross TrailPhoenix, AZ
Spur Cross Trail
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2018
gad38
Hiking3.70 Miles 531 AEG
Hiking3.70 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   3.17 mph
531 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked linked
Tortuga Trail - Spur Cross
Partners none no partners
Quick, easy hike up Spur Cross Trail toward Elephant Mountain, turned off on Tortuga Trail heading South across flat section. Looks like trail improvement has been done in this section too. It is still rocky, but the ruts have been flattened out and the ground in places is very soft. Hiked down Tortuga to the intersection with Spur Cross Trail and DragonFly trails. Headed back North on Spur Cross toward the Tortuga trail (loop) and turned right at the intersection (3 miles total from parking lot) and returned to parking lot via Spur Cross Trail to the Trailhead and parking lot - total roundtrip was 3.7 miles. Great day for a hike with the temp hanging in the low 70's. Some of the sections behind the hill that were in the shade had a perceptible decrease in temperature. Nice hike to get your legs stretched out and get some exercise.
Dec 18 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur CrossPhoenix, AZ
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur Cross
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 18 2018
gad38
Hiking3.50 Miles 650 AEG
Hiking3.50 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.33 mph
650 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Abbreviated out and back hike along the Elephant Mountain Trail. It was a great day for a hike. It was around 64 degrees with blue skies and a slight breeze. Started in the parking lot and hiked up Spur Cross Trail .9 miles to where it splits with Tortuga trail (sat for a moment on the bench in the shade to quaff a little water). Hiked up the Tortuga trail another .64 miles to the split between Tortuga Trail and the Elephant Mountain trail. Followed the Elephant Mountain Trail about .16 miles to the point where it breaks left while the main trail continues forward toward the Tonto National Forest (sign at this point). Then hiked down the Elephant Mountain trail a short distance for a better view of the Mountain before turning around and returning to the trailhead.
NOTE: the trail is much improved since my last trek in June. At that time, the trail was deeply rutted and required more labored hiking. While the trail is still rocky in places, it is much more even. I suspect that the trail was grated some to even out the deep ruts that existed previously.
The desert is really green right now due to the heavy rains in the Fall this year. Brittlebush seedlings are everywhere and non-native weeds and winter rye grass are abundant too.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation None
Brittlebush are heavily in bloom with swaths of their daisy like flowers on display throughout the Spur Cross area.
Dec 13 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Black Mountain - Cave CreekPhoenix, AZ
Black Mountain - Cave Creek
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 13 2018
gad38
Hiking2.50 Miles 1,185 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   2 Hrs      1.25 mph
1,185 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First time up Black Mountain. All uphill as expected on the way up and pretty steep too. FYI - this is a very rocky trail - it is not a smooth trail like many others in the area. If you are not comfortable with steep up and down and very irregular surface, then you may want to go somewhere else. Had an issue staying on the trail going up as I lost it several times when it went through some large areas of protruding rock (granite and slate or shale). I added quite a bit of time to my trip due to my off trail excursion, so if you haven't been before and aren't with someone with experience on the mountain, I suggest you watch the trail more closely that I did. I ended up on the West side of one of the hills and had to scramble up some rocky areas to get back to the trail. Great trail for locals and you get a great 360 degree view at the top, but not one of my favorite hikes in the area. Is a great conditioning hike though. My knees were pretty tired at the end (even with my poles - but then again I'm old and have bad knees). The more fit people looked like they were making the trip in around an hour. I think I would have probably been in around 1 1/2 hours if not for my several errors losing the trail.
Culture
Culture
Reference Mark
Dec 11 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Tom's Thumb Trail - MSPPhoenix, AZ
Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 11 2018
gad38
Hiking4.70 Miles 1,400 AEG
Hiking4.70 Miles   2 Hrs   4 Mns   2.27 mph
1,400 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wonderful day for a solo hike to Tom's Thumb. There was a heavy overcast sky, no wind and it was about 63 degrees the entire afternoon. There were a fair number of people on the trail between 3:00 and 5:00 (I saw roughly 20 people during the two hours on the roundtrip trail). The second half of the first mile is a pretty quick ascent. My Garmin told me that my total elevation gain was over 1,000 feet for the hike. Other reports list it in the 900 foot range. The trail looks really different in shadow as you can see more contrast in the ravines, etc. Speaking of the trail, the October rains have created some washed out areas and eroded spots on the trail. Not enough to cause a problem hiking, but will get worse without repairs.

Found that my out of shape Cardiovascular system needed me to manage my speed effectively to keep my heart bpm under 90% of theoretical max. As long as I kept it below that level, I didn't have to stop on the ascent. Heart rate monitor is a great way to monitor/maintain correct pace as well as train. Also, just started using hiking poles and I must say they make a big difference. Two separate orthopods have told me I need to replace my knees, but I was able to make the hike without issue using the poles. BTW - if you have bad knees, the hike down can be more challenging than the hike up.
Jun 22 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur CrossPhoenix, AZ
Elephant Mountain Summit - Spur Cross
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 22 2018
gad38
Hiking8.00 Miles 1,846 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   2.00 mph
1,846 ft AEG      30 Mns Break4 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Great hike, albeit a little warm by the time we were finished (right at 100 degrees). We set out from the parking lot and trekked up Spur Cross past Tortuga Trail intersection and then up the Elephant Mountain Trail. Note: following the heavy rain in the mountains last weekend, the trail is pretty rough compared to normal conditions, i.e. lots of exposed rock going up and down. In spots, the man made steps are in place, but much of the surrounding dirt is gone making it more tricky to hike.
On the way up Elephant Mountain Trail, we stopped for a brief rest in a small bosque of mesquite trees and found an old water pump (see picture) - anyone know if it still works? We then finished the hike up to the summit and found the easy route up to the old indian fortress, which was pretty cool. Can't imagine a hostile tribe wanting to charge up the side of that hill with the local tribesman (offshoot of the HoHoKam?) manning the fortress - many of the walls still in place 800 years later (see picture again). On the way down the southside of the mountain we took the Spur Cross trail back until we reached the Dragonfly trail which took us to the Jewel of the Preserve area and then back to the parking lot. 15 minutes later - Circle K and Gatorade looked pretty good.
Jun 03 2018
gad38
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 14

66 male
 Joined Jan 21 2018
 Scottsdale
Cave Creek Trail #4Phoenix, AZ
Cave Creek Trail #4
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 03 2018
gad38
Hiking12.00 Miles 1,490 AEG
Hiking12.00 Miles   4 Hrs      3.00 mph
1,490 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Great trip (bike and hike) - but be careful during the heat - lots of interesting things to see. We rode our MTBs to the old 6L Ranch in 100 degree plus heat, stopping along the way to look at a number of petroglyphs. After we finished exploring the 6L Ranch, we hiked our way up the stream bed for about a 1/2 mile before heading back. Even the deep pools were dry at this point. We did find a few pools and small areas of the creek that had water - mostly in shaded areas. The sycamores near the banks were lovely and the cooler environment under them was quite refreshing. I was badly dehydrated on the return trip and could barely find the energy to make it out. Lesson learned - bring more water/electrolyte fluids next time. I only drank about a liter of water on this trip. Probably need more like a gallon (roughly 4 liters next time).
average hiking speed 2.31 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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