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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
700 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | 3 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.20 mph |
| 700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Picture Mountain has always been fascinating to me. I remember as a little boy staring up at that mountain from my grandparents' home in Tonto Basin, studying it intensely through binoculars, and constantly asking my grandparents and uncles to tell me stories about their adventures up there. But during my 5 previous trips up there, I'd never thought it would be possible to hike up to the summit. Today however, seemed a good day to try!
Having had to turn around 2 years ago near the top of the 609 road due to an extremely rough patch, I wasn't sure I'd get up there at all. To my surprise, the forest service had done some fine work on the road. I made it through a couple patches of snow and gooey mud in my 2wd truck, and parked in the first spot on top where I could turn around without getting stuck. I threw on my pack and headed off...
I tried unsuccessfully to find the 875 road up to the summit, so I bushwhacked up through the snowy forest, making my way towards the top of Picture Mountain. After 45 minutes of slow going, I suddenly came across a very primitive old road heading uphill through the woods: forest road 875. I soon made it to the top of Picture Mountain, where euphoria took over. I found a nice rocky bench on the south side of the peak to sit back and enjoy the views from. Of course, I had to call my dad for a "wish you were here" moment. After taking some video and exploring a little, I reluctantly headed back down the mountain. I explored the ruin when I got back, to see if I'd missed anything interesting from the last time I was there.
I considered camping out at my truck that night, but the thought of warmer weather sent me down off the mountain. What a perfect day! It's been 4 days, but I've still got summit fever!  |
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| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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