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| Hiking | 6.05 Miles |
1,726 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.05 Miles | 5 Hrs 25 Mns | | 1.83 mph |
| 1,726 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 7 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Glad now I waited until after this all-afternoon hike to read the 30 triplogs (2009-2013). In them, you see confusion about Daisy Mountain's location and whether it is higher than "the flag peak" on the little range's north end. I parked near the intersection of Navigation Way and Livingstone in Anthem completely ignorant of the problem, feeling I knew exactly where my goal lay. By looking at a CalTopo contour map of the area, Daisy, at 3,176', is clearly marked at the south end of the range, not the north, and is the highest peak in the area. The flag peak's contours do not reach 3,100'. That was good enough for me.
I left the TH at 1320. Did not see any signs or a map board. Walked N toward the volcanic plug Gavilan Pk and was relieved to see the trail finally headed E in the direction of Daisy. I cut short AZ Wandering Bear's official route at 1.55 mi, believing a faint trail to the right would be a short-cut. It was longer. In any case, I reached the trail junction with the wood post and a small orange flag in decent time, averaging 3 mph from the TH. From there I headed S on a steepening contour trail that led up to the ridgeline south of Daisy. This southern route was described by ajclem74 as "the harder route due to more elevation gain and steepness." pritchie also called it "the hard route." Didn't know there was another route. Once up on the ridge, you face the prospect of going up another 700' el in less than a half mile on loose rock and mostly straight up.
Reached the Daisy summit at 1600, or in 2:40 from the TH. The summit is long and fairly flat with three rises. The one on the S end with the large rock cairn is about 10 feet lower than the highest points farther north. To the NNE I saw a man standing on the flag peak and attempted to shoot a photo of him with a short zoom. There is a trail leading over to the flag from Daisy along the ridgeline. Found no triangulation discs or register but didn't look hard. I'm surprised so much attention is given to the flag peak since it appears lower than Daisy. Great views up here in all directions, including a glimpse of Picacho Pk far to SE. With dread, I headed down on the same route I ascended. Loose rock, steepness and tired legs did not seem an appetizing prospect.
Reached my car just before sunset, traveling the offical route this time. In 5 1/2 hours on the trail, I passed no others. In all, I saw three people, all no closer than a half mile. Two with a dog were going in a different direction than I and of course the man on the flag peak. chumley's assessment that this is "an easy walking trail" will not hold true for the average hiker. I imagine this will be a tiring, rugged hike for most, requiring strong legs, good cardio and stamina. That's probably why, for me at least doing it solo, this was a tremendously rewarding afternoon. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Phacelia, desert marigold, poppies, rock daisy, ocotillo, creosote, brittlebush. Buckhorn cactus buds are swollen and about to burst. |
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Route Editor
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