Pyramid-National-Ruins Loop Photoset • chumley • 2013-03-20 • HikeArizona.COM

Pyramid-National-Ruins Loop, AZ

	2013-03-20
	13 by chumley

1 label

1
1 label
1 label
1 label
1 label

1
1 label
1 label

1
1 label
1 label
1 label
1 label
1 label

1

Pyramid-National-Ruins Loop, AZ

Hiking	7.75 Miles	1,946 AEG

Hiking	7.75 Miles	2 Hrs 37 Mns	2.96 mph
	1,946 ft AEG

Linked

linked

National Trail - South Mountain

Lost Ranch Ruins Trail

Lost Ranch Mine Trail

Partners

none

no partners

Decided to test my post-illness breathing and stamina, and did ok. I like the Pyramid Trail for it's flat warm-up followed by moderate gain on a reasonably graded switchback trail. The next 4 miles are pleasant rolling ridgeline with just a gentle overall climb, followed by the roller-coaster drop that is the Ruins Trail. Returning on what was a flat warm-up at the beginning is longer and more boring than I would prefer.

The hill caught my breath and muscles a bit, but the rest of this hike was cake. I might extend the loop to return on Bursera next time, increasing mileage and AEG.

Wildflowers were sparse and small, though I managed to spot a fair number of different kinds. The north-facing slopes had the most coverage.
I know the Poppy. I hope somebody will identify the rest for me!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brittlebush Colorado Four O'Clock Coulter's Lupine Creosote Bush Desert Chicory Emorys Rock Daisy Fiddleneck Ocotillo Pincushion Cactus Scorpionweed Strawberry Hedgehog

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Blister Beetle

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

username		X
password		X