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| Hiking | 4.40 Miles |
946 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.40 Miles | | | |
| 946 ft AEG | | 3 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | I've driven by Glassford Hill (6178') a million times... from any street around Prescott Valley it looks like a "little" hill. No trails. No trip routes. No hike description. No respect. An extinct volcano its been resting there for 10 to 12 million years....like the SF peaks...is a "ring" or horse shoe shaped with what we are calling the "nub" on its inner summit. The north ridgeline outer ring starts from the east (5989' USGS summit) and curves SW to the GH summmit; then loops around to the southeast onto its south ridgelne curving SE (6125' USGS summit). Quick history of this famed hill: http://www.sharlot.org/library-archives ... glassford/
The Town of Prescott Valley is in process of carving out road like switchbacks to the saddle between the south ridgeline summit and the GH summit. It reminds me much of North Mountain in Phoenix....I suspect it will be paved to be a sanitized hike. The road terminates at the south ridgeline summit. We noted a series of survey flag stakes for the "GH Trail". I found only a town council approval of the proposed development of making GH a city park (August 2015). Full article here: http://pvtrib.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1& ... leID=63674
Graders and back hoes were diligently working on the switchbacks so the Town is going full throttle on development for the future city trail.
For those off trail enthusiasts or hikers that like to hike with their dog with "no leash"...your days are numbered before this becomes a regulated "no off trail" hiking and all dogs must be on a lease environment. It was almost sad to see the large switchbacks being permanently carved into the side of the mountain. Ehh, now for the triplog....
Five of us launched about 7:20 am. Two HAZ'ers (and TLC Hiking) and three from the Prescott Outdoor Adventure Meet Up group.
We took the road in and passed a large water tank from here straightlined east to the drainage then up the "nub". The grassy topography is probably not a hike ideal for spring, summer or fall if your afraid of snakes. Word from many locals is GH is a snake haven. On the assault up the nub was a sole green tree to keep our line. This gentle bushwack offered lots of chaparral but nothing thick at all, all very easily navigable around. Once we approached this lone tree (easily spotted on Google Earth satellite imagery), we banked slight left and onto a rock climb boulder hoppers playground. Of course my hike partner is a magnet to rock climb and advanced on.
We summited the inner nub which had a large outcropping of boulders and crevices. Satellite imagery showed the GH summit to be in a fenced compound with 3 cell/radio towers and lots of solar panels. Assuming it would be "no public access" we decided to leave a summit register container here atop the nub. We left an unopened deck of playing cards, a gift for the next HAZ'er to bag and tag. Although we forgot to pick up a log register so feel free to drop one in.
On the assault, icy hard snow was prevalent on the north face. From the nub, we dropped down, then back up to the GH summit. There is a rock pile with a "monument sign" which is the high point for GH. This rock pile is within the confines of the barbed wire fenced compound taking up an acre or so of the top. We were shooshed out of the compound by a worker who was working in one of the tower buildings outside the area. He explained that is for health reasons we had leave (EF's). What are EF's?
From here we straight lined SE for the South ridgeline which the under construction road leads up to the south ridgeline summit. I can only suspect the Town plans to put ramadas and tables at this site in the future.
From here we descended north to find the cave. We jettisoned north from 6125' to find the cave.... The cave was actually about 1/4 or 1/3 mile further SE. Here is a video of the cave: [ youtube video ]
After taking a quick break at the cave we continued east northeast along the southern ridgeline. We made for a straight line back towards the bridge and parking area. On the return we saw a flock of Antelope (did I say that right, a flock?) heading north. Team saw a deer that I missed. |
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"Before there was a trail..... there was no trail" |
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