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Quartz Peak Day Hike Sierra Estrella January 4, 2020 by Quy Nguyen |
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 At the Quartz Peak Trailhead. [photo by Quy] |
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The Quartz Peak Trail is not only challenging hike but also a good wildness experience of Sierra Estrella. After turning on a dirt road, the drive to trailhead is rough on sand, bumpy road. Sometimes we have to drive off the dirt road to avoid some of huge branches and deep holes. |
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 Sun rises over the Sierra Estrella. [photo by Quy] |
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 The beginning of the trail is flat. [photo by Quy] |
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 ... then it starts uphill. [photo by Quy] |
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 We pass through a field of Teddy Bears. [photo by Quy] |
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After the ¼ mile flat, the trail is steady inclined with many switchbacks around 2.5 miles and with gravel, sand, loose rock, and boulders. The trail is easy to follow, until the last half mile, where we have to look for cairns and to scramble over boulders to the saddle. From the saddle, it’s real challenge to use hands, legs, and strength to climb up to the top. |
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 Saguaros like to grow on the slopes. [photo by Li] |
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 The views just get better on the way up. [photo by Quy] |
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 First view of Quartz Peak. [photo by Quy] |
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 What do we have here? [photo by Quy] |
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 Let’s talk this over. [photo by Li] |
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 That’s Quartz Peak, all right. [photo by Quy] |
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 Closer and closer. We have to bushwhack the rest of the way. [photo by Quy] |
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The high wind at the top makes the temperature much cooler. The amazing views at the peak make it worth for rough driving and hard hiking. |
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 Victory! [photo by Quy] |
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 Good place to take a GPS waypoint. [photo by Quy] |
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 Starting down. [photo by Quy] |
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 Watch your step! [photo by Quy] |
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 A trail, at last! [photo by Quy] |
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 We still have a ways to go. [photo by Quy] |
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 It’s been a good hike. [photo by Tom] |
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 All over. [photo by Quy] |
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Only eleven hikers made to the peak. We started around 8:30 AM and we were back to trailhead at 1:30 PM. Well done! Thanks to all for coming to join my hike. → More pictures, by Quy.→ More pictures, by Li. → More pictures, by Tom. |
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 Happy Trails! [photo by Quy] |
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
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updated January 7, 2020