April 16th we hiked in South Mountain Park. After studying the maps I created a 10 mile loop. The loop included these trails: Mormon Trail, Mormon Loop Trail, Javelina Canyon Trail, Beverly Canyon Trail, Pima Wash Trail, National Trail, and back to Mormon Trail.
We have hiked many of the valley mountain trails – this being one of the last to tackle. One of the main draws for this trail was to see and experience “Fat Man’s Pass”. And a bonus was seeing Hidden Valley and Natural Tunnel as well on the same loop to see Fat Man’s Pass. These mountains had their own unique look and personality. There were so many trails! We took a map and had confidence that we would be able to find our way. As we began hiking we saw so many trail signs we knew that, indeed, we would not get lost!
When we got back to the point where we hadn't found Javelina Canyon Trail we looked around and see that we did not miss a sign. There was no sign. But now we know exactly where we want to go next time. Right at that point we also found some cool petroglyphs.
We have hiked many of the valley mountain trails – this being one of the last to tackle. One of the main draws for this trail was to see and experience “Fat Man’s Pass”. And a bonus was seeing Hidden Valley and Natural Tunnel as well on the same loop to see Fat Man’s Pass. These mountains had their own unique look and personality. There were so many trails! We took a map and had confidence that we would be able to find our way. As we began hiking we saw so many trail signs we knew that, indeed, we would not get lost!
Mushroom anyone?
We started on the hike at 6:15 am. The Mormon Trail was a good one to get our hearts really pumping. We transitioned without a hitch to the Mormon Loop Trail. But when we should have transitioned to the Javelina Canyon Trail things weren’t right. We ended up on a long, flat, cleared “road”. It definitely did not look like a “canyon” trail. But no signs so we continued. With each step we knew things weren’t right but this road was loaded with “recreational hikers” so we knew we wouldn’t get lost and could definitely find our way back. We now know we were on a handicapped access trail. But eventually we saw a sign for Beverly Canyon Trail.
We turned onto it and immediately felt more comfortable and knew we were on the right path. But now we would have to reverse our route in order to get to the trail we had missed and still get our 10 miles in. No problem – with my map it was a snap.
We really enjoyed the morning. We took some pictures along the way.
Hidden Valley
Natural Tunnel
Fat Man’s Pass
We turned onto it and immediately felt more comfortable and knew we were on the right path. But now we would have to reverse our route in order to get to the trail we had missed and still get our 10 miles in. No problem – with my map it was a snap.
We really enjoyed the morning. We took some pictures along the way.
Hidden Valley
Natural Tunnel
Fat Man’s Pass
Doug really enjoyed part of Beverly Canyon Trail where we followed some power lines. Made him feel at home.
On top of Old Smokyyy . . . . all covered with . . . . . meeee!
Nice view.
On top of Old Smokyyy . . . . all covered with . . . . . meeee!
Nice view.
When we got back to the point where we hadn't found Javelina Canyon Trail we looked around and see that we did not miss a sign. There was no sign. But now we know exactly where we want to go next time. Right at that point we also found some cool petroglyphs.
And as you can all tell - by virtue of the fact that I am now at home and writing this post, we did indeed find our way out of the South Mountain Park/Preserve. One disturbing thing we noticed during our hike - every sign with the word "mormon" on it was defaced. People would scratch out the second "m" and therefore it would read "moron". Not a pretty picture. But at one point when we were nearly finished hiking we found this sign in pristine condition and took advantage of it.
1 comment:
How come you put Doug in the fat mans pass? tee hee. Nice pictures...
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