Sugarloaf Mountain is located near Cave Creek. This is the northern part of the Phoenix basin located at the transition zone where the ecosystems of juniper/grasslands and Sonoran Desert meet.
I left the Tortuga Trail at 2.2 miles and headed off-trail up the
mountain. Near the top I encountered lots of loose rock which slowed my
ascent. I reached the summit at 2.9 miles, and it took me 2 hours and 15
minutes. It was an easy hike until halfway up the mountain. As usual, I got stabbed by cactus. This time I slipped on loose rock, and put my hand on staghorn cholla. Then I spent a few minutes pulling spines out of my flesh. But a small price to pay for great views, and lower blood sugar since I have type 2 diabetes.
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| Summit marker |
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| Me on the summit. |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
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| My route from the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. |
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