Lone Mountain - Sycamore Creek, AZ

Overview
Lone Mountain is in the general Sycamore Creek area just west of SR87 as you head north to Payson. While Lone Mountain is not all by its lonesome, it seems like a lonely looking peak as you drive by on FR1096. There isn't anything special about it, but it was 'one more peak to climb,' so that's all it took to be worthy for me. That said, once at the summit, the views are fantastic. You can see Granite Mountain to the north, Four Peaks to the east, Sheep Mesa, and the Sycamore Creek valley to the southeast and south.


Hike
From the 'trailhead' wherever you park along FR1096, it's just a matter of picking the best route between the various cacti and thorn bushes, climbing to the summit. BTW, you'll pick up tons of fox-tail in your shoes/socks along the way, so I'd recommend wearing bare feet in Teva sandals. For me, the STEEP climb was strenuous but easier on the knees than the STEEP return downhill.The drive will take as much as four times as long as the climb to the summit, so once at the summit, you might want to cast an eye around for another goal to make the trip worthwhile. Sheep Mesa just to the east would be a great partner hike to this one.

2012-04-02 CannondaleKid