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Arizona Trailblazers
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 Santara, Ted, Lou, Doug, Sandy |
 Those tiny buildings are downtown Phoenix. |
We were a small group of 5 hikers heading out from the Buena Vista Lookout
trailhead for the National trail to Fat man’s Pass and Hidden Valley Loop.
The trail descends gradually and there are beautiful views of Phoenix to the North then the trail goes on the south facing slope and you have views to the South. |
| The wild flowers were in full bloom with the hillsides covered with Brittlebush, Globemallow, Lupine, Scorpion Weed and Mexican Gold Poppies. |
 Brittlebrush brightens our way on the National Trail. |
 Please don’t eat the daisies. Just admire them. |
We reached the turnoff for Fat Man’s Pass at 1.77 miles. Ted took the side
trail bypassing Fat Man’s Pass and the rest of us managed to squeeze through.
“I’ve been through before,” says he.
The trail turns North toward Hidden Valley. |
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We had to duck down through a short
tunnel and then across slickrock where we had to sit and slide down to continue
on the trail.
At Hidden Valley we climbed up on the rocks where we could sit and have our snacks and enjoy the views of the valley, Squaw Peak, Camelback and Four Peaks. |
 That saucer doesn’t fly — it’s solid rock. |
 Blossoms surround a fishhook barrel cactus. |
After our snacks we climbed back to the trail and went through a natural tunnel about 15 ft in length and rejoined the National Trail and back to the Buena Vista Lookout. |
| The climb out was gradual but it was getting warmer so we stopped several times to sit in the shade to cool off. |
 Now this is the way back to Buena Vista, right? |
 I say ... It’s a bloomin’ hedgehog! |
The total distance was 4.4 miles, with an elevation change of +-800 ft. |
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona For comments regarding this site contact . updated March 26, 2008 |