Auby's Blog #Quartz Please

In February the Sonoran Desert has an enticing quality about it.  It probably has to do with the fact it's 68 degrees with moderate wind and a 48% humidity level.  For some reason those succulents out there fascinate me again.  I appreciate their ability to survive in a very harsh environment.  However, when it's a 100 degrees with a humidity level below 5% you may find me trying to suck water out of em.  The hike into the Sierra Estrella wilderness area introduced cool clean air with challenging elevation gains.  The grunt up this ever present piece of elongated granite was intense as our group tried to attack it with no regard to "pulling back".   I don't have the specific data behind the hike, oh wait yes there it is.  It's a GPS track log with my name on it.  It amazes me to be able to attain this info: wanning gibous at 74% will be setting at 9:33 AM.  Wait how many FM radio station will I be able to pull in with a transmitter.  Nevermind, meaningless techno bable will get you nowhere.  Having a map to to rely on while hiking will definitely get you somewhere.  So, I have attached the track log which displays our departure from Wild Horse Pass Casino off the I-10 in Chandler.  This hike is an all day event really, no matter how you slice her. The real challenge lies in the 9 miles of 4X4 dirt roads with periodic sandy river bottom drop outs.  It took us about an hour and a half to summit, but while on top you don't want to leave any time soon.  Amazing views of the lower lying desert, along with amiable time to let the lungs actually try to break down that element know as oxygen.  This is one of my favorite pics from the hike:

I just want to be clear those guys are drinking what looks to be Miller Lite.  I can't remember what I was drinking, diet coke?  One undeniable fact is that we are on a giant formation of Quartz.  One lone white peak standing tall within this desert landscape.  I have a meaningful plug to throw to the Cosmopolitan Hotel/Resort in Las Vegas http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/.  They have provided Auby's Adventures a complementary 2 night stay for March Madness Week.  We will be promoting the Havasupai Hike as the tribe are now taking reservations.