What a great hike! The R2R athletes have all qualified, finishing this last big hike before the Canyon Weekend!
All of the Chase Athletes finished their hike to Maiden Pools with excellence. The youngest hiker on this trip was little Tristen at 5 years old and the eldest was Coco the "Lion Heart" at age 73. Coco, You're the Man!
Here is a view of Window Rock... It is a naturally formed arch in solid granite.

The R2R Crew at the top...

A view of Tucson from the Window...



Lot's of adventure on this hike... The R2R team was at the Window when the call came in. Richard, a 6 foot 4 inch, 280 pound, gentle giant has officially taken over Shaq's nickname. When Shaq was traded to Phoenix, he was no longer known as "Shaq Diesel", but rather branded as "The Big Cactus". NOt ANYMORE! Our NEW "Big Cactus," the "Big Hurt," is Richard L! What did he do to earn his new name? Big Cactus mistook a prickly pear cactus for an easy chair!

Richard, filled with cacti needles, "maned up" and pushed on to Maiden Pools. After reaching the goal, Big Cactus and his new side-kick, Dan the Motorcycle Man, started the slow, hot and painful journey back to the people mover. 3 hours later the R2R team arrived at the trail head and Big Cactus rode home STANDING UP!

This guy was well hidden but VERY loud, when he let us know that we were not in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood any longer. He was one of 4 different Western Diamondback Rattlesnacks that we had to circumnavigate to get down the hill. In addition, we also saw 2 more non-poisionus snakes. 1 or 2 rattlesnakes in a single hike is a pretty cool, but 4 or 5 is a little menacing...

The Stats:
Distance - 13.61 miles
Moving Time - 5:51:40
Pace - 25:49
Total Elevation Change - 12,511 feet
High Temp - 86 degree's

More pics in the Photo Album section...
Thanks to everyone who came along for a great trip, great fellowship and lots of fun... Only thing that was missing was the ever elusive Macayo. Where could he be?

EDITED by user on 2008-05-05 22:33:43