A New Hiking Loop

Settled in for a brief push through a car wash line. This must be a very profitable business because there is one on every corner.

Wow!  Now that's a sunrise, which came with a sprinkle or two.

The day is kinda windy so I opt to do a hike.  Rarely is a new trail established by the park service and its volunteers but one was recently established, creating a loop.  I start on the Finger Rock trail.

There are a couple of wash crossings, this one with an impressive cairn to mark the passage. Soon.....

....the climbing begins in earnest.  So, so steep, sometimes via granite slabs but usually big steps up boulders.

Finger Rock begins to slip from view behind Finger Rock Guard. Since I made it this far, I began to think I should do the climb to that, one day soon.  It is sooooo cool to sit on top of the Guard.

Another slab but I thought this one might bring me to the point at which the trail breaks from FR trail as it heads to Kimbal Peak and instead goes to Linda Vista Saddle.

I pass a nice, Alligator Juniper and after 3 miles of climbing....

....am almost there.  My legs, not in very good hiking condition, felt relieved.

It's a beautiful spot, the saddle.  I thought about exploring the formation to the right but decided against it. For an unknown reason, I did not rest here.  That was kinda dumb in hindsight.

Instead, I began descending on the new trail section, which would take me back to the trail head.  Whoa! What a relief!!! The trail was smooth and no boulders to climb. And not particularly steep either.

Another interesting formation as I continue to descend.  Eventually, as the excellent trail conditions continue.....

....I pass this lone saguaro.

Check out the serpentine nature of the trail!  The descent is 4 miles so naturally, compared to the other side's 3 mile ascent, it is not as steep.  But then, after 2 miles.....

....the descent steepens and the boulders return.  Ugh.  I did pass a stone foundation and wondered what was its history.  My somewhat wobbly legs were grateful to reach my vehicle with 7.15 miles and 2700' elevation gain.