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| Arriving at the Holbert Trail |
Yesterday was my third annual Christmas Day hike. This year I went to South Mountain to hike up to Dobbins Lookout, which is the highest point in the park accessible by trail. (See here for my
2009 and
2010 hikes) To get to Dobbins Lookout, you follow the Holbert trail almost to it's terminus, where you take a spur trail to Dobbins.
It's been a chilly December this year compared to last; the temperature at the start of the hike was 40ยบ, compared to mid-50s last year.
Metrics:
Round trip distance: approx. 4.8 miles
Elevation change: approx. 1100'
Ascent time: 48 min.
Ascent pace: 3.00 mph
Descent time: 43 min.
Descent pace: 3.35 mph
Footwear: Vibram Five Fingers
Water consumed: approx. 20 oz.
Thoughts:
This trail surface was much rougher and more rugged than my previous hike in
Zion. Coupled with the chilly temperatures, my feet got a good workout in the Vibrams. Also, overall, this trail was a bit steeper, so it provided a good workout, but a slower pace. Being on the north side of the mountain, most of the hike was in the shade, so it was nice to get to the top and bask in the sun.
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| Let's get going |
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| Piece of cake |
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| Rocky slope forming one side of a ravine |
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| Sun peeking over South Mountain |
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| Downtown Phoenix in the distance |
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| Approaching the ridge line and the morning sun |
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| I took the spur trail to Dobbins Lookout |
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| Success |
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| The Valley of the Sun from Dobbins Lookout |
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| Dobbins Lookout shelter |
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| Looking west from the shelter |
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| Looking north from the shelter |
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| Looking northeast from the shelter |
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| Back at the trail head |
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| Lunch at Lux after a 4.8 mile hike and a 17-hour fast: egg bake with broccoli, cheddar and onions; bacon; sourdough toast; corn muffin; and coffee |
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