Silent Sundays at South Mountain Park

In preparation for the MS 150 in March 2010, I've tried to get out with other GCU people on some rides. So far, the most consistent has been the Silent Sunday rides for the past two months. From the parking lot to the San Juan Lookout is 6.3 miles, by odometer. So, to the lookout and back is 12.6 miles, while it's a 3.4 mile climb to the intersection of the two summit roads, one to a lookout pavilion, and the other to a group of antennas. So far, 19.4 miles total round trip.



Once upon a time (1990 or so), I (in an incautious moment) mountain biked up the National Trail to the antennas with a college student. It was hard, and more acrobatic than I actually was.

Since then, I've never been back to the antennas. Last month, I made it partway up the climb. (That's the trash can picture.) This month, I've made it to the intersection split (pictured). Next month, maybe to the lookout or the antennas.




I really like this trail, winding as it does through high Sonoran desert landscape. It also gives a good workout.