Beauty of Seven Falls

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Picacho Peak

View of Picacho Peak from the trailhead
Okay sports fans, this is it.  The very name Picacho Peak has managed to strike fear in my heart for the past year.  Hearing people in the group mention having to pull themselves up the steep trails using cables and lower themselves the same way, let me know that I am still the novice hiker.  Like a child anticipating the downward thrust of a roller coaster - my stomach tensed up, knowing that sooner or later JoAnn was going to send out one of our weekly email notices and name Picacho Peak as our destination for the week.  Well, it finally happened.  I got THE email.  
Jim, Gina and JoAnn checking out the rules


Getting started






Our group this week was small; just five brave souls would tackle Picacho.  We were really happy to have Ernie back in town for this one because he had tackled it before.  The weather was cool and windy and pretty cloudy when we headed out, but we didn't let that deter us.  In the year that I've been hiking with this group we have only been rained on once, and cancelled because of rain once.  We were certain it would clear up.


You can see Picacho Peak from quite a few spots in Tucson if you are anywhere near I-10.  It has a very distinct look and actually was used for many years as a landmark.  I was quite surprised when we parked at the trailhead and looked at the mountain from that side.  It has quite a different look to it than what I am used to seeing on the highway. 


I was quite nervous starting out, but not afraid.  It’s hard to explain how I can have a fear of heights – which I definitely do – and still do some of the sporting things I have done.  I have gone hot air ballooning, para-sailing  and now mountain trail hiking.  Go figure….
Beautiful Scenery


 
Beautiful rock face

More rock face



The Trailhead
Picacho Peak is a state park located about 50 miles west of Tucson on I-10.  It was one of only a handful of places in Arizona where an actual Civil War battle was fought, and they have reenactments every year at the park. The total elevation is 3,374 feet.  We were to hike the Hunter Trail which is the most difficult of the 5 trails available at the park.  The elevation at the trailhead is 1,784 feet.  The elevation gain to the top is 1,401 feet, but the total accumulated gain is 1,880 feet.  
This hike is the closest I have ever been and the closest I would ever like to be to rock climbing.  There were spots where we were actually crawling on all fours trying to find hand holds and toe holds.  I probably should have a lot more pictures, and maybe the next time (if there is a next time) I will feel comfortable enough to stop and take more, but this time I was concentrating on the trail.



On the trail again


















Picacho Peak has been a landmark and has helped to direct travelers and even early explorers to the Arizona Territory such as Father Kino and Juan Bautista De Anza.  In 1932, a 40 ft. light beacon was installed at the top of the peak to help air traffic navigation.  Hunter Trail along with the handrails and planks was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps to ease servicing the beacon.  The Boy Scouts have maintained the trail and rails since it was built.


The first section of the trail took us through truly desert setting with cactus and loose rock and some pretty interesting rock formations.  

Checking out the info at the saddle (and resting)

We reached the saddle, with an elevation of 2,960 feet with very little trouble at all.  It was here that the wind picked up.  Oh, just as an aside, we met a group of 3 young men just as we were starting out at the trailhead who told us they had just come back down from the top.  They mentioned how windy it was at the saddle and when we inquired how it was the rest of the way after the saddle and on to the top, they confessed that they had not gone the whole way.  They were in awe that our little group would be attempting the entire hike.  Well, back to the story.... 

Maneuvering The Cables

Gina waving, JoAnn and Ernie


Yes, that's me behind JoAnn...


Ernie's best side?







So Scary!


Don't look down!

The scenery here at Picacho, although much different from previous hikes, was just as beautiful.  Some of the rock formations were awesome.  In some spots when you couldn’t see any of the parking or camping areas below, it really seemed quite prehistoric.  We continued after a brief rest and water break at the saddle and the trail led us to the backside of the mountain.  This is where the real test began.  We had to climb down with the use of cables almost 400 feet.  This is where that total accumulated gain comes into play.  You gain a little and you lose a little.  There are no straight paths up the side of a mountain.  It is combination of up and down and plenty of switchbacks. 

Cable to the summit

The last big push
Hunter Trail to the peak is only 4 miles round trip, but it was the most difficult hike to date for me.  The last push to the summit was one of those things that you have to tell yourself – “there’s no turning back, there’s nowhere to stop, people can’t get past you on this narrow, winding, cable filled trail….you have to go on” – and go on I did.  We sat for just a few minutes and had our lunch.  The views were awesome, but the wind was treacherous!  Gina said she felt like she was going to be blown off the top.  I didn’t feel like that, but I knew that there was danger in getting too comfortable.  It would just make it that much harder to start down. 
At the top








Usually the trip down on our hikes is really a piece of cake.  Not so on this one.  Every step of the way was just as challenging as the climb up.  In one of the spots with the cables, it was so steep the best way to get down was backwards with hands on both cables.  You have not lived until you are repelling yourself down a mountain backward.  OMG!  There was a spot where there was nowhere to grip with your feet.  You had to just trust that people before you had gone and made it, and you just had to let your hands slide down the cables until you reached a ledge.  Unbelievable!  I bought a new pair of hiking shoes 3 weeks ago.  I was glad to have the extra grip on the soles, but I just about wore out the toes looking for something to grip.  While you’re laughing at me, save a chuckle for JoAnn, whose legs were too short in some of the spots to reach the rocks or steps on the way back down and had to resort to sitting and scooting to lower herself and ended up with a little worn spot on the seat of her jeans. 
We reached the trailhead and parking lot in a little over 21/2 hours from the top.  We shared high fives all around for the wonderful feeling of accomplishment. 
More Pics From The Trail
 
Ernie surveying the view below









Gina - always out front







Me being silly, before things got REAL serious







Really Jim, a phone call?







Yes, this was the monster hike that they have told me about.  It lived up to all the hype as the most difficult hike of our group and I have all the respect in the world for it.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
The novice hiker is humbled…..and sore as heck!
Me at the summit.  What a view!!!
See you on the trails… 




Thursday, April 11, 2013

Beautiful Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains

View of Mt. Wrightson from Madera Canyon
We traveled only about 60 miles south of Tucson this week to Madera Canyon.  Madera Canyon is located in the Santa Rita Mountains in the Coronado National Forest.  Our group of eight hikers agreed that this is one of the most enjoyable hikes in our repertoire.  The hike is pretty moderate.  It is about 5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 800 feet. 
Beautiful day in the canyon
Madera Canyon is one of the places where you can enjoy multiple activities.  There is something for everyone.  You can enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching or simply staying at one of the rustic lodges and enjoying nature.  Madera Canyon is crisscrossed by many trails.  One guidebook states that there are over 200 trails.  JoAnn and I were standing and talking at one of our short breaks, and just looking across the expanse in front of us, we were able to make out quite a few trails.  Many of these trails are unmarked – another good reason for having a guide and seasoned hikers along. 

Lead us JoAnn!
Well, our hike was marvelous!  We started at the Whitehouse Picnic area and followed the trail to the nature trail.  This trail is absolutely wonderful because it has markers naming many of the trees and plants.  Since our resident “botanist” George did not join us, the signs were very helpful.  One of the most noticeable things once you start the hike is the difference in vegetation.  There were so many different types of pine trees, we lost count.  Arizona sycamores, Apache pines, Cypress, Ponderosa pines, and Alligator cypress.  Even though the saguaro cactus is usually present on most of our hikes, I don’t think I spotted even one on this trail.  


 The Pines....

Anyway, one of the other draws for Madera Canyon is the birds.  The brochure published by the Friends of the Madera Canyon states over 250 birds frequent the canyon and the large group of birdwatchers in attendance seemed to be enjoying a good day.  JoAnn and I shared a private joke when we came across one large group that were all staring up in one tree with their binoculars and when we asked what they saw, they answered “an Arizona woodpecker”.  We both have those pesky little critters in abundance in our backyards.  



 

Our trail followed a creek for a little while and we enjoyed the peaceful sound of the water.  The trails are beautifully maintained and there are foot bridges over the stream in some spots.  We only had one person come up with a wet foot in the spot that we actually had to climb over on stones.

Connie
Judy & Barbara

We also always enjoy running into fellow hikers on the trail.  They all have interesting stories or come from interesting places. This hike was no exception.
Barbara, Mike and Jim chatting with passing hiker
The views along the trail were breathtaking and we made many stops to enjoy the view of Mt. Wrightson.  Mt. Wrightson is the highest point in the Tucson area at an elevation of 9,453 feet.  It was named for William Wrightson who was a miner and business man in the area, who was killed by Apaches during the Battle of Fort Buchanan.  In 1958 three boy scouts who were hiking with a group died in a storm on Mt. Wrightson.  There is a memorial that was dedicated and is maintained in their honor.  Just as an aside – my husband and I spent Mother’s Day with a group of friends last year at the Crown C Ranch which is on the grounds of old Fort Buchanan.  
Mt. Wrightson
After lunch at the Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area we started our trek back to the trailhead.  We used the Madera Canyon Road on the return because on that route we were able to get a chance to stop along the way and take in the Santa Rita Lodge, the Madera Kubo B&B, and the Chuparosa Inn.  There was also a gift shop along the road. 

Poor Gina
How old do you think?






























Another beautiful hike completed, we headed back to civilization with our heads high, and hearts light.  I love hiking!

Beautiful Views

`
The stream

Santa Rita Mountains



Pretty wildflowers

View of the valley shrouded in haze below



Interesting rock formations
That's quartzite hiding under those trees

Now that's a happy hiker

See you on the trails......