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Golden Gate Mountain

11/17/2020

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Reaching the top of Gates Pass, I descend the curving road, distracted by the views to the west, then turn into a small parking lot.  Surprised mine is the only car there.  My hike today is short at only 2.5 miles round trip but has a good, off trail climb to the top of Golden Gate Mountain.
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My hike begins at David Yetman trail. I ascend to a saddle and am greeted....
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....with this early morning view.  Little Cat and behind it, Big Cat Mountains, in the distance.  I begin a descent while watching for a.....
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....cairn that marks where to begin the ascent of the mountain.
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The peak is not visible until you reach the low point in the above ridge.  
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As always, the higher I go, the better the views.  I reach the aforementioned ridge, go counterclockwise around it and reach....
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....a saddle and at last can see.....
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....the peak.  Throughout the off trail portion of this hike, cairns are plentiful and enough people have followed them that a well worn trail is visible in most places.  Be careful when ascending the above.  It is very rocky and balance is required as you hop across boulders.  The visual reward....
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.....is.....
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....well worth the effort.  Peering over the side opposite of the side you arrive....
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....there is a shooting range below.  No action today but I have been up here once before when it was very active.  Ha, ha, we all stayed away from that side for concern over ricochets.  
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Bobcat Ridge in the distance with Little Cat and Big Cat mountains.  The sprawling Tucson Estates on the right.
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I begin my descent and can see the Yetman trail winding its way through the valley.  While only a 2.5 mile hike, I gained a good 1500'.
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Jumping Cholla.  I keep a healthy distance from these plants.  However, while helping a friend look for a lost golf ball, I emerged from the thicket, felt something on my back, reached back (big mistake) and brought my hand back with a clump of Cholla attached to it.  Fortunately, someone had tweezers and I removed 5 spines from a finger.  
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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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