HikeArizona.COM

The Finger Rock trail to Mt Kimbal will do just that. It is only 10.2 miles round trip but it gains 4200’ in the first five miles and that’s the way you come back so you have a 8400’ elevation change on this one. Straight up and straight down with no smooth path at all, just granite boulders strewn everywhere in your way and coming down was harder than going up (going up wasn’t that easy either). The trail head starts at the end of Alvernon at the Catalina mountains in Tucson.

We walked under granite cliffs.

Soaring Cliffs

Gazed on beautiful flowers.

Flowers on Granite

And we were stalked by fierce predators.

Fierce Hairy Predator

We walked eight hours on this one. Yes after all the remodeling we are a little soft but a good time was had by all. The views over the north side of the mountains were excellent. Next time we will take more than three liters of water apiece as we ran out in the last hour. We did have a few food breaks to keep up the energy.

If you Phoenix folks ever get down in Southern Arizona, be sure a check out the awesome trails in the Catalina Mountains. This spot is only six miles north of my house.

I agree on the shuttle idea, but I sure don't recall any trails that are tougher in the Catalinas. Luckily.

Esperero is *much* harder than Finger if you go all the way over the peak and to its end on the Ventana side.

Esperero is the wicked witch of the Catalinas, to be sure.

Man I love that trail

I'm not so sure about Esperero so we'll have to agree to disagree. Esperero's not exactly nice, either. It's certainly as steep as Finger Rock, but I don't remember it being as loose. Both are doozies that make Old Baldy (Mount Wrightson) look easy.

The section of Esperero that seals the deal is the portion after the little saddle about two miles beyond the junction with Cathedral. You need a hedge trimmer to get through there and then you start up a scree-laden set of switchbacks into the peak that are lined with catclaw and loose rock.

Despite it all, I love that trail. I'm like an abused spouse, I keep going back for more

oh yeah, it never gets old...hey MacE want to climb Cathedral soon?

Yea, we should go do that. That would be an awesome snow hike, too...

Jeff MacE wrote:Yea, we should go do that. That would be an awesome snow hike, too...

yeah, find a way to make it even harder..

nickfraley wrote:

Jeff MacE wrote:Yea, we should go do that. That would be an awesome snow hike, too...

yeah, find a way to make it even harder..

Try it naked!

PageRob wrote: Try it naked!

I really don't see the big deal about Finger Rock Trail, never noticed exposure being much of a problem, etc. It's a trail. It's not bushwhacking. Bushwhacking in the Pusch Ridge/Front Range is what is challenging. And I like Esperero, too, but haven't hiked past Bridal Veil Falls.

You want hard hiking though, come out here to Yuma. I am not prepared to solo hike off-trail on some of these peaks--need companions! These peaks in the Gilas and other ranges are unbelievably steep and gnarly. They seem to be constructed of very sharp, very loose rocks. There are few trails, alas. Canyon hiking is relatively easy around here, but peak bagging is serious hiking!

PageRob wrote:Try it naked!

can i at least wear socks?