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| Hiking | 25.79 Miles |
6,345 AEG |
| | Hiking | 25.79 Miles | 12 Hrs 45 Mns | | 2.20 mph |
| 6,345 ft AEG | 1 Hour 2 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Several years ago, my friend Jeremy devised this walkable route through the Phoenix Mountains Preserve that climbs the five peaks: Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, North Mountain, Shaw Butte, and Lookout Mountain. The route is a bit over 25 miles and German for 25 has fun in it twice, so that's why this is named Funfundzwanzig.
Six of us started just past 5 am, at the Cholla Trailhead and worked our way up Camelback Mt in the dark using our headlamps. Once on top, we took in the views for a few minutes. There were only a couple others at the summit while we were there, but on our way down the Echo Canyon trail, there were many people on their way up for the sunrise.
By the time we reached the Echo Canyon trailhead, it was light enough to stow our headlamps, where we then worked our way through Paradise Valley and into the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. We took a short break at the top of the Piestewa Peak Park, then made the short jaunt down to the summit trail where it got really busy with people heading up. Once on top, we took another short break before heading back down. It was nice to turn off of the summit trail towards Dreamy Draw and get away from all the people.
A friend was waiting for us with some water and Gatorade at Dreamy Draw. We took a short break there and fueled up. Our friend joined us as we got on trail 100 and headed towards North Mountain. Two of us were slowing down through here so we made a few stops to let them catch up and to eat and rest a bit.
We reached the North Mountain trailhead/park at 7th St. & Peoria, just as Jeremy's wife drove up with food and drink and chairs. The trail magic was much appreciated. We had travelled about 18 miles to here and the two that were slowing decided to call it a day, and the one that joined us at Dreamy Draw was done too, so we were down to four for the final three peaks of the day.
After the lunch break, the climb up North Mountain went fairly quick. From the summit, we had a good view of Piestewa Peak and our next two peaks. Camelback was out of view. The drop from North Mountain down is pretty steep and rocky but went quick enough and not long after, we were starting to climb Shaw Butte. The climb up the butte was easier than anticipated since it joins the old road to Cloud Nine and then levels off for awhile before finishing the ascent to the summit where we rested for a few more minutes before heading down the antenna service road.
When we reached the Visitor Center, we were getting pretty tired and sore and a bit chafed too since the day was humid and we had been sweating a lot. We got some water and took a short break, but we all wanted to get this hike finished so we didn't tarry.
It was a relief knowing that we only had a few miles left and one more peak. Our target was in sight and it was nice to see it near as we closed the distance. As we approached the climb, a lady was on the side of the trail and mentioned what a nice time of day it was to be out. We all thought that was funny since we had been out since before sunrise. The climb up Lookout Mountain was as steep as I remembered it, but even though I was tired, I knew it was the last effort of the day and worked my way to the top.
Lookout is a great mountain to end this hike on since the four other peaks we climbed are in view: Camelback, Piestewa, North Mountain, and Shaw Butte. We did the celebratory fist bumps and made the obligatory badassery comments to eachother, then headed down to the Lookout Mt. trailhead where one of the guys that bailed at North Mountain was waiting for us with celebratory beer. What a funfundzwanzig day! |
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