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Harquahala Summit - 36 members in 84 triplogs have rated this an average 3.9 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
84 triplogs
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Mar 04 2023
avatar

 Routes 156
 Photos 14
 Triplogs 552

40 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 04 2023
emilystardust • Triplogs 552
Hiking10.13 Miles 3,371 AEG
Hiking10.13 Miles   6 Hrs   3 Mns   1.94 mph
3,371 ft AEG      49 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Only hikers out there today. What a day of hot and cold temps. Pretty cold and windy at the top, enough to numb the fingers. Glad to have done the county high point.
_____________________
 
Feb 20 2023
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 Guides 15
 Routes 80
 Photos 1,253
 Triplogs 932

49 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 20 2023
azdesertfather • Triplogs 932
Hiking10.06 Miles 3,346 AEG
Hiking10.06 Miles   6 Hrs   18 Mns   1.99 mph
3,346 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break22 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Checking off Warren’s 100 Hikes in western Arizona this week, this was next on my list. This was a good desert mountain hike and a consistent steady incline all the way like Mt. Ord between Mesa and Payson. Saw very few people all day, though a lot of Razr riders at the top. Little bit of history thrown in too, though most of the interpretive signs are faded from readability due to sun and rain.lunch at a picnic table up top then back down again. Warm day out there, even for February… can’t imagine doing that in the summer.
_____________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
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Aug 13 2022
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 Triplogs 11

49 male
 Joined Sep 04 2017
 Phoenix, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 13 2022
Stacheman • Triplogs 11
Hiking10.39 Miles 3,397 AEG
Hiking10.39 Miles   7 Hrs   23 Mns   1.84 mph
3,397 ft AEG   1 Hour   44 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Road to TH had recently had water flow so some fresh damage but still doable in a non 4 wheel drive. Hike was a good challenge overgrown in some spots but not enough to lose the trail.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some desert marigolds and rock daisies
_____________________
 
Mar 12 2022
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 Guides 82
 Routes 1,376
 Photos 6,017
 Triplogs 1,750

42 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 12 2022
LindaAnn • Triplogs 1,750
Hiking10.16 Miles 3,356 AEG
Hiking10.16 Miles   6 Hrs   44 Mns   1.64 mph
3,356 ft AEG      33 Mns Break
 
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Partners none no partners
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Decided to head over to Harquahala with a friend. We got started a little before 0630 and had shade for the first 4.50 miles, which was nice. Took a break at the summit and looked around before heading back down. Somewhat warm the last few miles. Zero wildflowers. Zero other people or vehicles until we were finishing up the last quarter mile. Trail is in good shape the entire way. Saw one little snake, but it was too fast for a picture.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Reference Mark
_____________________
If it’s above freezing, it’s too hot.
 
Feb 12 2022
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 Guides 9
 Routes 175
 Photos 770
 Triplogs 219

39 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 12 2022
ShatteredArm • Triplogs 219
Run/Jog10.20 Miles 3,380 AEG
Run/Jog10.20 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   3.50 mph
3,380 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Didn't have any plans for the day, so decided to summit a new desert peak since this is the time of year for that. Harquahala was on the list for some time. Got to the TH at 9am. First couple miles up the alluvial fan were kinda boring, then when we got to the actual slopes it was actually somewhat interesting. Well-built trail and decent scenery, enjoyed this trail much more than I expected, even though it felt like a really long climb.

Had the summit all to ourselves, no OHV until we saw someone headed up just as we started down. The shade was gone on the way down, but there was still a little lingering coolth. Didn't feel like I had a ton of energy, so didn't push that hard on the way down. It started getting warm in the lower stretches a couple miles from the car.
_____________________
 
Feb 06 2022
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 Photos 5
 Triplogs 704

34 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 06 2022
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 704
Hiking6.10 Miles 1,742 AEG
Hiking6.10 Miles   3 Hrs      2.03 mph
1,742 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Oct 31 2021
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 Routes 61
 Photos 1,008
 Triplogs 224

42 male
 Joined Aug 19 2009
 The Basin
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 31 2021
survivordude • Triplogs 224
Hiking10.46 Miles 3,252 AEG
Hiking10.46 Miles   4 Hrs   51 Mns   2.46 mph
3,252 ft AEG      36 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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2nd attempt to the summit was a success. Shade in the AM on the NW side of the mountains, after that, there is zero shade the entire hike. Pretty uneventful slog to the saddle for a breather and then the finish to the top. One abandoned Chevy Suburban at the summit. The educational signs have been destroyed by the sun. Nice views up top. Views of farther ranges were obscured by haze. Saw a bunch of hawks at the top and a funky centipede on the decent. Not another soul until I got very near the parking lot and met, yup.. a Canadian couple.

Check
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 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
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_____________________
“There is nothing that exists outside the thought of the immediate moment.”
 
Apr 16 2021
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 Triplogs 2

49 male
 Joined Jul 04 2018
 Glendale, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 16 2021
wanderinarizona • Triplogs 2
Hiking10.97 Miles 3,488 AEG
Hiking10.97 Miles   6 Hrs   35 Mns   1.83 mph
3,488 ft AEG      35 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Great day! Not too hot, nice breeze blowing up the canyon as I ascended. Saw three bighorns at the saddle before the final push to the summit. Didn't see a soul all day. Tough hike but well worth the effort.
 
Mar 14 2021
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 Routes 18
 Photos 532
 Triplogs 1,017

40 male
 Joined Nov 16 2010
 Kingman, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 14 2021
nikorock28 • Triplogs 1,017
Hiking10.06 Miles 3,425 AEG
Hiking10.06 Miles   4 Hrs   6 Mns   2.45 mph
3,425 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Left Kingman a little after 7:30AM with some local folks. I decided I wanted to drive the dirt road to the trailhead in my Kia Forte and didn't do the greatest job of negotiating it. Just past the horse trailer parking area (0.4 miles from the trailhead), the biggest obstacle of the road was present and I decided to tap out there, parking off to the side. I did negotiate the road better on the return, so I was proud of that.

The rest of the group started at 10:38AM, but me, being a night owl and not a morning person at all, it was time for breakfast pancakes and syrup that I brought along. I ate, took my vitamins, rested and started hiking at 12:38PM. The beginning part of the trail, as you approach the base of the mountain, reminded me of Pima Canyon Trail down in Tucson. I enjoyed the climb up the rock laced drainage area and started to feel the hike at the old mining camp signpost. Hit the saddle and encountered the group coming down between the saddle and the summit. I made the top in 1:54, which I feel is respectable. I didn't stick around too long, just a couple minutes, then quickly headed back down to catch up with the rest of group. I hiked the last half of the descent with the group.

I enjoyed this trail. The summit was a little underwhelming, but I really didn't take any time to take in the views and perhaps my opinion was altered due to the wind. I would definitely hike it again, but probably leave my vehicle back at the gate. It got marked up pretty good trying to stay on the high side of the road. Only one other couple on the trail all day. Breezy conditions, but sunny, and I took a hooded sweatshirt that I never really needed. Carried 4-16.9 ounce bottles and drank 3 of them.
_____________________
  1 archive
Feb 27 2021
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 Routes 148
 Photos 471
 Triplogs 156

49 male
 Joined Mar 16 2019
 Phoenix
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 27 2021
AugustWest • Triplogs 156
Hiking10.77 Miles 3,557 AEG
Hiking10.77 Miles   5 Hrs   21 Mns   2.37 mph
3,557 ft AEG      48 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Abs02
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Really nice adventure West of the West Valley. Abby lives out West and I am East (at least for another few days). We made it to an empty trailhead at 7:30 AM. The dirt from US 60 isn't that bad and I think a sedan could make it driving really slow. The trail is tucked away on the North Slope of Harquahala and stays out of the sun all morning so it was colder than what I was expecting for the first half of the day.

The trail is really well constructed and the EG and distance never seemed that bad to me. There is almost no brush or obstacles so the going was pretty smooth all day. Once up at the summit it is clear which side of the mountain is Wilderness. It was kind of like finding little green men on the dark side of the moon. Picnic tables, benches, communication arrays, multiple parking areas, and of particular interest the historical structures make up the summit area.

My only wish is that the BLM would redo some of the damaged historical panels that describe the activities of the miners and scientists that had inhabited this area for a very long time. The history of this area is rich and was really interesting to read about where the descriptions on the plaques were legible.

We saw 2 other hikers and three guys who rode up in a jeep together. Once we made our way down the sun had come over the mountain and warmed things up just a little bit. We finished our day with takeout from Old Pueblo in Litchfield Park which turned out to be pretty good!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some beautiful Ocotillo in bloom in one spot in the lower section of the trail.
_____________________
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again
 
Feb 21 2021
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 92
 Photos 70
 Triplogs 89

male
 Joined Aug 08 2020
 Phx az
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2021
ScaredyCat • Triplogs 89
Hiking10.23 Miles 3,350 AEG
Hiking10.23 Miles   5 Hrs   20 Mns   2.21 mph
3,350 ft AEG      42 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Led an outing to this remote area. The road in had larger drop offs than I remembered. There is but a single trail to follow for the hike. Leads straight back, then to the left and then up.

The switchbacks do a great job of breaking up the EG. Saw just 1 group +1 other lady on the trail. Once u reach the backside of the mtn, amazing views open up. Can get very windy on top. Worth the drive.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation None
Not much to see yet.
  2 archives
Feb 15 2021
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

43 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 15 2021
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking10.80 Miles 3,380 AEG
Hiking10.80 Miles   8 Hrs      1.35 mph
3,380 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've wanted to do this hike for a long time, but it just seems so out of the way. Granted, I've traveled farther for much shorter hikes, but I was still dreading the drive. And it's not a fun one coming from the East Valley. I-10 west of the Valley needs to be expanded, Salome Road has a top speed of 45mph to protect cattle (I counted three carcasses) and the dirt road to the trailhead needs to be graded. But the hike is beautiful, pristine Sonoran desert with a unique reward at the summit and nary a soul around. We went super slow, not just to soak it all in, but because my hiking partner has to stop and sniff every bush on the way up and the way down.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Dec 25 2020
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 414
 Photos 9,418
 Triplogs 1,105

53 male
 Joined Nov 20 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 25 2020
BiFrost • Triplogs 1,105
Hiking10.74 Miles 3,619 AEG
Hiking10.74 Miles   5 Hrs   46 Mns   3.58 mph
3,619 ft AEG   2 Hrs   46 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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slowandsteady
Looking for something relatively close to town for Christmas Day hike and first time on this summit for us. Others had mentioned it was a good trail and happy to say it still is. Even though it's continuously up the grade stays somewhat mellow the entire way. The switchbacks are well constructed and make the uphill a nice climb. We ran into a group of 3 on the summit but that was it the entire hike. Nice chill Christmas Day hike!
_____________________
  1 archive
Nov 04 2020
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 Guides 64
 Routes 74
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,064

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 04 2020
Jim_H • Triplogs 2,064
Hiking10.20 Miles 3,380 AEG
Hiking10.20 Miles   4 Hrs   55 Mns   2.31 mph
3,380 ft AEG      30 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hadn't been out here in 22 months so why not? The air isn't really clean, with smoke or something else very noticeable. It was worse towards the city, but also to the south.

One of the more interesting summits in the western part of the state with some expansive views (normally). Very quiet with only occasional birds, but then coyotes at dusk. Well, except for the military jets low overhead.

Bring pruning shears for the thorn scrub on the trail.
_____________________
Still hiking.
 
Apr 04 2020
avatar

 Guides 82
 Routes 1,376
 Photos 6,017
 Triplogs 1,750

42 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 04 2020
LindaAnn • Triplogs 1,750
Hiking10.20 Miles 3,380 AEG
Hiking10.20 Miles   5 Hrs   25 Mns   2.13 mph
3,380 ft AEG      37 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
danielac
Seemed like a good day to get another peak checked off the list. Started just before 0830. Steady, but nice, trail uphill. Tons of wildflowers the entire way, in fact, the amount and variety of flowers was quite impressive. If someone was interested in just photographing wildflowers right now, the first 1.5 miles should be pretty satisfying. Nice breezes most of the way, then very windy once above the saddle the last 3/4 mile to the summit. Had a snack then headed back down. Much warmer on the way back down. Saw 3 couples on the return, but were surprised to only see 2 other cars at the trailhead. Realized on the drive out that 1 couple had parked at the turnoff from US-60, that added more than 4 miles of hiking to their day. Road is in good shape, medium clearance 2wd is all that’s needed when dry.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Desert Trumpet  Indian Paintbrush  Owl Clover  Tufted Evening Primrose
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Tons of flowers, multiple types.
_____________________
If it’s above freezing, it’s too hot.
 
Dec 12 2019
avatar

 Guides 74
 Routes 903
 Photos 11,814
 Triplogs 804

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 12 2019
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 804
Hiking10.40 Miles 3,451 AEG
Hiking10.40 Miles   4 Hrs   39 Mns   2.51 mph
3,451 ft AEG      30 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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SecretMtnLover
Today was a super day to be out hiking, and I managed to convince Tracie, my favorite and intrepid hiking companion, to hit the trail with me today. We also took a couple of other peeps with us.

The target today was Harquahala Mountain, the high point of La Paz County. This was my 8th county highpoint in AZ; I plan to do at least a few of the other 7 sometime in 2020. We also hit the Harquahala Wilderness High Point, which is about 40 feet lower than the summit.

This was not an easy hike -- it was a steady climb up on the ascent. There were lots of fat, healthy saguaros along the way.

The road into the trailhead was not nearly as bad as I thought that it would be. 4WD is not needed, but you'd need some decent clearance in a few places.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Saguaro - Crested
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Tarantula
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Informational/Interpretive Sign  Intrepid Back Shot  Reference Mark
_____________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. -- Edward Abbey
 
Dec 08 2019
avatar

 Guides 84
 Routes 740
 Photos 18,107
 Triplogs 1,736

49 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Cactus to Clouds, AZ 
Cactus to Clouds, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 08 2019
chumley • Triplogs 1,736
Hiking10.58 Miles 3,392 AEG
Hiking10.58 Miles   4 Hrs   47 Mns   2.34 mph
3,392 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
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Harquahala Summit
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Tough_Boots
Kyle has one friend who doesn't make excuses ;) so we headed out to enjoy the clouds today. The road is definitely in high-clearance mode now. Subi will do just fine if it still runs.

Lots of cactus. And clouds. Then a break. Then more clouds. Windy on the peak, but not the rest of the day. The breaks were nice for views. Back down into the cactus. Then more clouds. Perfecto!
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Forecast
_____________________
two scoops!
  1 archive
Apr 06 2019
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 Guides 9
 Routes 18
 Photos 1,349
 Triplogs 497

57 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 06 2019
toddak • Triplogs 497
Hiking10.80 Miles 3,500 AEG
Hiking10.80 Miles   5 Hrs      2.16 mph
3,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
great peak
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Poppies and lots of others
_____________________
 
Feb 02 2019
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 18
 Photos 1,349
 Triplogs 497

57 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 02 2019
toddak • Triplogs 497
Hiking10.80 Miles 3,500 AEG
Hiking10.80 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   2.40 mph
3,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Outstanding peak hike, grey and windy day. The turnoff from US60 is at mile point 70.5
_____________________
  1 archive
Jan 02 2019
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 Guides 64
 Routes 74
 Photos 9,059
 Triplogs 2,064

male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 Arizona, AZ
Harquahala SummitSouthwest, AZ
Harquahala Summit
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2019
Jim_H • Triplogs 2,064
Hiking10.20 Miles 3,380 AEG
Hiking10.20 Miles   5 Hrs   20 Mns   2.27 mph
3,380 ft AEG      50 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Three years ago I didn't care for this as I had a gray depressing day. Today was all sunshine, with some cold and a lot of summit wind thrown in. Views were outstanding, and the mountain was a lot nicer to be on, though still rather drab and dry, but it was pretty this time. Small patches of snow from a dusting the mountain received were lingering on the summit, too. Very quiet out here, with almost no sound at all when I stopped in the valley near the trailhead. Today, with the lower desert's first real winter in 3 years, I am pretty much over cold. It was nice for a short period of time.
_____________________
Still hiking.
 
average hiking speed 2.12 mph
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