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Scottsdale
December 21, 2019
by Quy Nguyen
 We have to bundle up today. [photo by Lin] |
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 A glorious sunrise! [photo by Lin] |
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Balanced Rock is a gem and the must-see in the McDowell Preserve Park in Scottsdale. The rock can be reached by hiking 2.1 miles from Granite Mountain Trailhead on Powerline Road. But I want the group to enjoy the variety of desert plants, giant statuesque rock formations along the trail. Most of all, if we have a chance we can see wildlife such as birds, deer, and Turquoise. |
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 Turquoise, the desert tortoise. [photo by Quy] |
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Seventeen intrepid hikers start a Granite Mountain Trailhead head out on the Bootlegger Trail and the Granite Mountain Loop. From the junction of Granite Mountain Trail and the Branding Iron Trail, we walk about 100 yards on the Branding Iron Trail to see a double crested saguaro. We turn right on Balanced Rock Trail at the junction with Granite Mountain Trail and hike 0.4 miles to the rock. |
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 We’re off! [photo by Quy] |
 Lin takes a break. [photo by Quy] |
 Home is where the heart is. [photo by Quy] |
 Finally, someone to rub noses with! [photo by Lin] |
 A stack of boulders. [photo by Quy] |
 Terry, standing tall among the saguaros. [photo by Quy] |
 The rock looks balanced to me. [photo by Quy] |
 Four Peaks loom in the distance. [photo by Quy] |
 Onward! [photo by Quy] |
 Double-crested saguaro. [photo by Quy] |
 It’s so green! [photo by Quy] |
 We’re here. [photo by Quy] |
 Lin gets her kicks at the Balanced Rock. [photo by Li] |
 Lin gets the perfect shot. [photo by Carl] |
 Don’t let that rock roll! [photo by Tom] |
 Joe is king of the mountain. [photo by Joe] |
 Hey Mom, look at that! [photo by Joe] |
 Fruit of the chain fruit cholla hangs down in chains. [photo by Quy] |
 Here’s looking at you. [photo by Joe] |
 You, too, can be a Bicycle Dodger. [photo by Li] |
 An earthquake would send that rock toppling. [photo by Lin] |
 A great monolith on a partly cloudy day. [photo by Joe] |
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It’s a little bit hard to walk on the terrain up to the rock. A must-see rock dominates the landscape and the surrounding scenery. After enjoying and taking pictures, we head back on Granite Mountain Trail and take Powerline Road back to the trailhead. |
 Starting back. [photo by Quy] |
 It’s a good trail on the home stretch. [photo by Quy] |
 Hold still, Li. [photo by Quy] |
 Did lightning do this? [photo by Quy] |
 Here comes the cavalry. [photo by Quy] |
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This is a pleasant hike with sandy trails gentle ups and downs, and no major elevation gain. Additionally, the trails winding around a giant saguaro and giant boulders are popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Thanks to all for coming to enjoy my hike. Wish you the best holidays! → More pictures, by Quy.→ More pictures, by Li. → More pictures, by Lin. → More pictures, by Tom. → More pictures, by Carl. |
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
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updated December 24, 2019