Pinal Mountains/ Pinal Peak Qs

[Jim]

For those familiar with Pinal Peak and the Pinal Mountains, I have some questions.

What is the deal?

B/C: Most trail GPS routes stop well before the peak, and it appears from descriptions that trails like 6 shooter and Telephone Ridge do not reach the summit.

Is it road walking to reach the summit?


Is is better to hike down the Telephone Ridge trail for the views, than up?

Birds, is this area as lavish with avian diversity as the Pinalenos are?

Lastly, and I realize this may be a long shot, but is there any chance that someone has a recommendation for good Mexican food in Globe? Ha! No, I won't be eating in Globe.

[PatrickL]

Signal Peak and Pinal Peak are both road-walks once you top out on the trails. My guess is most people are more interested in the trails than the antenna-infested peaks.

[Jim]

Well, thanks for the info. Looks like there are some small trails near, but not all the way to the summit. as long as there is a view, I don't care what is on the summit.

[trekkin_gecko]

having done all four trails at least twice, and both peaks twice, last fall we opted to go up icehouse, up to signal peak, along ferndell and down sixshooter
signal peak has a fire tower, fewer antennas and better views
but yes, a short road walk to the peak
http://hikearizona.com/trip=123271

[outdoor_lover]

Birds, is this area as lavish with avian diversity as the Pinalenos are?

I would say that in the Summer, there's a pretty good Selection going on up there. As good as the Pinalenos??? Probably not, as the Pinalenos are a Sky Island and they have a lot more Water. For the Local Birding, Birders tend to go up to Mt. Ord before they would go to the Pinals....There have been a couple of nice Finds in the Pinals this Spring though, so it can vary.

[JimmyLyding]

Here's a link to a GPS track from a trip that went up Six Shooter, visited both peaks, then went down Icehouse. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=9350

I think the best hike would be up Icehouse, road walk up to Signal Peak, take Pineline to Middle, then road walk up to Pinal Peak, Ferndell from Pinal Peak to Six Shooter, then Six Shooter back to the trail head.

[gummo]

The bird life is limited at Six Shooter Canyon. I don't think you'll like it too much, but it is worth going to see the coatis and deer. It is worth doing once, though.

Your best bet is to drive to Six Shooter and hike it. Then camp or stay in Globe's $25/night motel. Then the next day drive to Pinaleno or do Picketpost or the eastern Superstition Mtns.

[Jim]

Nah, these will be day trips.