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| - In town for spring training and was looking to get in a decent workout/hike, so we did some online research and decided on the Cholla Trail.
We got there around 9:30. Parking was quite intimidating, as I feel like you may add on a good 1/2- 1 mile to your workout depending on where you have to park.
The start to the trail was very crowded and slow to move between the people with dogs, young kids, etc. The further along you go, the crowd starts to thin out, as it becomes more physically exerting. This hike definitely turns into a challenge after you reach the helipad and turns more into a "climb" than a hike. I would recommend the helipad as a good turn around for most. Nonetheless, we trekked up to the summit, and enjoyed 360 degree views of the valley. Heading down can be a bit slow as some steps are a bit tricky and need to be well calculated.
Some recommendations based on our experience:
- get there early to avoid crowds and the heat
- wear a backpack or camelback for water so that you have both hands free
- definitely wear appropriate footwear, athletic shoes at the minimum
- there were all skill levels along the trail, so it requires patience for slow goers and sometimes the need to pull aside and let others pass
Overall, this was a good trail - definitely a workout and nice views.
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