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Mesquite-Willow Loop White Tank Mountain Regional Park December 28, 2019 by Quy Nguyen |
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 All together, at Mesquite Trailhead. [photo by Lin] |
| Vicky, Billie, Quy, Li, Tom, Chris, Ramona, Kevin, Debbie, Lin |
 Hikers gather at the Nature Center. [photo by Vicky] |
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On the chilly morning, ten hikers gather at the Library and Nature Center parking lot to arrange carpools into the park. We start hiking the Mesquite Trail at Ramada 7 to save 0.9 miles walking on a flat and dull trail. We start at sunrise. |
 We start at sunrise. [photo by Quy] |
 Dawn in the White Tanks. [photo by Lin] |
 Dawn in the White Tanks. [photo by Vicky] |
 Fog. [photo by Lin] |
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The trail begins gradually going up with a few switchbacks and winds way up on the side of the mountain. After 1.8 miles, we get to the junction with the Willow Canyon Trail. |
 Starting at Mesquite Trailhead. [photo by Tom] |
 The trail climbs at first. [photo by Quy] |
 We’ll be in the sun soon. [photo by Quy] |
 The trail keeps climbing. [photo by Quy] |
 Li, Tom, and the boulders. [photo by Lin] |
 We’ve reached the junction. [photo by Quy] |
 Trail Junction. [photo by Vicky] |
 What a view! [photo by Vicky] |
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We turn right on the Willow Canyon Trail and hike 1.6 miles. Willow Canyon is not steep, but gives us a nice workout with many ups and downs. |
 One of the many white tanks, from which the mountains get their name. [photo by Quy] |
 The trail has many ups and downs. [photo by Quy] |
 Made it to the Ford Canyon Trail. [photo by Tom] |
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From the junction with the Ford Canyon Trail, we turn left and hike 0.7 miles to an intersection with the Goat Camp, then hike 2.4 miles to junction with Willow Canyon. This part of trail gives us great views of the surrounding mountains and the valley. Many rock croppings along this part make the landscape more scenic. |
 Time for a break. [photo by Tom] |
 A great view of the surrounding mountains and the valley. [photo by Quy] |
 The mountains are capped with antennas. [photo by Lin] |
 Boulders are all jumbled up. [photo by Quy] |
 Lin, Li, and Quy are in their element. [photo by Tom] |
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At the junction with Willow Canyon, we bear right on the Mesquite Canyon Trail and hike 1.8 miles back to trailhead. |
 A rock formation by the trail. [photo by Li] |
 Rabbit ears? [photo by Li] |
 Another great view. [photo by Quy] |
 Mostly downhill from here. [photo by Quy] |
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The sun still shines and the wind is a mild 5 mph when we are back at the trailhead. This moderate hike is great to help us work off some extra calories from holidays. Thanks to all of you for coming to join my hike! → More pictures, by Quy.→ More pictures, by Li. |
 Happy Trails! [photo by Quy] |
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
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updated January 1, 2020