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| Hiking | 10.93 Miles |
6,448 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.93 Miles | 8 Hrs 29 Mns | | 1.38 mph |
| 6,448 ft AEG | 34 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | I've been eying this one for a while, but I always seemed to find an excuse for not scheduling it; i.e., not in shape, nobody will go with me, I need take out the trash, etc. But, four hiking buddies (unfortunately not HAZ people, so their track and pics won't show up here), decided to take it on a couple of weeks back, purportedly to "train" for doing a moonlight R2R2R at the Grand Canyon, despite there being absolutely NO similarities between the two hikes. I had just returned from a trip where I got horribly out of shape, so I didn't go with them. So, after hiking Pusch Peak (almost never reaching the top) every other day for two weeks, I felt a little stronger and convinced Niel and Matt to go with me.
Our route differs from the official (Sirena started at Catalina St. Park) in that it started from the trailhead at the terminus of Rt 643, which is reached (2WD okay) off Golder Ranch Rd. You intersect the Trail Link Trail at the Sutherland Wash, proceed east past the junction trail coming out of Catalina St. Park and up Cargodera Canyon. This portion of Sutherland #6 to where the ATV road ends, parallels the power line but has to be the angriest, most ankle-killing trail hike on the planet. The actual trail doesn't start til you reach the sign in my pix, but then you're in for a relentless climb on endless switchbacks up to a ridge at about 6700 feet.
If you make it this far, you only have another 2100 feet to climb (and I would say, past the point of return), but the trail gets much harder to follow. However, there is evidence of some use, and the cairns are well spaced. If you take your time and stay on the trail, the hike across the ridge to intersect Samaniego Trail #7 is scenic and not extremely difficult. No. 7 and up to Radio Ridge is well used and in good shape.
Thanks to Matt and Niel for an outstanding day. Excellent views of Pusch Ridge with Cathedral, Window Peak (the window is visible for a long time), Table and on down. It took us over 8 hours, but my body has no permanent damage. I may never do it again, but it was not as horrible as I expected. I'll stop short of recommending it, but it is sort of a quest for serious hikers in southern AZ. |
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| Check out my Instagram posts at "cartershift", and videos on my Rumble channel "rvcarter". |
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