HikeArizona.COM

Update:
I've been putting off doing this peak for so long they put in a trail while I was waiting! (Thanks coanbru).
It looks like the route will be Walkin' Jim Trail to Big Jim Trail to the saddle, then offtrail to summit 3465', for a 12.2 mile roundtrip and 2778' AEG.
Depending on how that goes, 3392', a crazy ridgeline, and Pikes Peak are within striking distance. My topo program was so far off on estimating 3465' that it's hard to say what that might entail. Mileage might only be 2-4 more, but AEG will be closer to 4000'.
I'm flexible on start time, but sunrise is at 6:55 , so leaving the 33.903792N 112.326072W trailhead at 5:30 would put us around the saddle at dawn's first light.
If that's the case, I'll be leaving the Beuf Center on Pinnacle Peak west of I-17 at 5:00 and have room for 1 unless you like open-air seating at 70 mph.

It's trail most of the way... My son and I cairned a route from the saddle where the trail ends.

http://hikearizona.com/gps=9729

See if you can find this up there => http://hikearizona.com/photo=167521

I still need to get to Pikes Peak

@coanbru
Thanks for the info.
To be honest I'm a little disappointed to find out about the new trails. When I first set foot in the HCW 12 years ago, it really did feel like wilderness. Maybe I need to go back to 1902. ;)

I was back there earlier this year. Just watch out for wild donkeys.

My 62 yr old uncle and I did it in 5.15 hrs in Feb of 2012. If I get off work Barrett, I'd like to go - 3 mph sounds good to me

My avatar photo is taken at the saddle of 3465 - compliments of Kingsnake!

@burntlizard
"My avatar photo is taken at the saddle of 3465 - compliments of Kingsnake!"
Small world. Maybe you should lead.
5.15 hours at 62 - impressive. Maybe getting old isn't so bad.
Hope to see you there.

Barrett wrote: Maybe getting old isn't so bad.

Tell That to Bob, Joe, Nick, and Denny please......

coanbru wrote:Tell That to Bob, Joe, Nick, and Denny please......

Why would they need to hear it? They're not old, only you are.

@chumley

What time do you think you will be done? Need to be finished by 11:30 at the latest to make a family function in time on Saturday afternoon.

@SpiderLegs
A 5:30 start followed by a Burntlizard Uncles pace (2.3 mph) would see us back at the parking lot at 10:39 if we stick to 3465' and approach using the Walking Jim/Big Jim trails.
I removed the Morgan City Wash option - it saves hiking mileage, but requires high clearance vehicles, almost all off trail hiking along with off trail in the dark. Probably best to keep this straightforward.
If people want to explore further, bag 3392', Pikes Peak, etc., the return time will be after 11:30. If you feel comfortable returning to the trailhead on your own, that would be an option. Standing on top of 3465', it's hard to say whether it will be "This was cool, lets head back.", or "That stuff to the west looks wild, let's do it!".

I've been up there once before but would like to hit some of the other peaks. Let me double check my plans for the afternoon and see when I need to be back in town. Just so we are on the same page, meeting in the parking lot on Castle Hot Springs Road where Walking Jim Trail starts?

@SpiderLegs
Yep. I'll be at the trailhead at 5:30 am on Saturday. Headlamps, flashlights, or night vision goggles recommended.
From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway (SR 74). Turn left on Carefree highway and drive west to Castle Hot Springs Rd (Lake Pleasant exit). Turn north and drive for approximately 5.1 miles to a large pull off on the left side of the road. Careful of deep sand in the parking area. The hike begins at the northwest corner of the parking lot on the other side of a fallen barbed-wire fence.

Barrett wrote:@SpiderLegs
Yep. I'll be at the trailhead at 5:30 am on Saturday. Headlamps, flashlights, or night vision goggles recommended.
From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway (SR 74). Turn left on Carefree highway and drive west to Castle Hot Springs Rd (Lake Pleasant exit). Turn north and drive for approximately 5.1 miles to a large pull off on the left side of the road. Careful of deep sand in the parking area. The hike begins at the northwest corner of the parking lot on the other side of a fallen barbed-wire fence.

That's where I parked the last time I did it. Will confirm later today if I'm coming.

I'm in and I don't care about the alpine start. Just need to be in my car heading to town by noon.

I'm disappointed :tt: - We have a 800 Yard, midnight pour Saturday. Sorry Barrett, maybe next time.

@burntlizard
My darling wife Karen asked who was going on Saturday, and I read her your post. She doesn't know what you do for a living, and she replied "I got your 800 yard midnight pour right here". ;)
God, I love that woman.

I'll see you on the trails...

Funny - sometimes I forget, we often speak our own language in the ready mix concrete business.

burntlizard wrote:Funny - sometimes I forget, we often speak our own language in the ready mix concrete business.

Every industry has it's own language, used to be in the printing business and always talked about PMS colors and doing gang runs.

Overslept this morning :tt: