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| Hiking | 7.30 Miles |
4,200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.30 Miles | 4 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.62 mph |
| 4,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Can't figure out why I'd never done this! So many times I've looked over to Mummy from the summit of Camelback and wondered what it would be like.
With a busy work week, I was in the office all day Saturday, and again on Sunday. After a couple of hours I realized it just wasn't happening anymore and I needed a mental break. Not wanting to spend too much time away, and having already missed the various planned trips to the Supes, I decided to skip the monotony and crowds of Squaw, Cholla, and Somo. I did a little research, and decided to see if I could access this rarely visited little gem right in the middle of it all.
After looking up all the property owners on the Maricopa County tax assessor's website and speaking to each of them individually to gain permission, I headed for the Camelback Inn. I shared a few laughs with the sweet girl at the concierge desk in the lobby before getting a parking permit and heading up to the trailhead.*
I was surprised that Camelback Inn had an established hiking trail at all, but it certainly made it less suspicious looking for me to be heading out in hiking gear with a backpack.
The day didn't really turn fun until I descended peak 2233 where the scrambling was more fun. And I realized how far away the northern end of the ridge was. Climbing up 1936 was a blast. From 1807, the view back was a bit daunting. I didn't realize how far I had gone, nor how much lower the end of the ridge was. Nonetheless, back I went toward the summit.
I was beginning to tire, especially after the steep ascent up the north slope of 2233, and contemplating skipping the east ridge. Back at the summit however, I decided to go for it, knowing that it would add almost 3 miles to my journey.
Boy am I glad I did! This ridgeline was super fun! There are three sketchy sections that were really fun to navigate. The whole ridge is very narrow and new things were found around every corner. Occasionally some of the homes were a little close. There was one with a very nice bathroom with a huge window looking up the mountain from a jacuzzi tub. Luckily (unluckily?) for me, there bubbles in the bath this afternoon!
Not knowing where the ridge should properly end, I accidentally went farther than I had intended, and suddenly found myself standing next to a large saguaro ... on the roof of a home! Yup, the ridgeline runs right over a house built into the side of the mountain. I quickly retreated, not wishing to violate anybody's personal privacy.
The hike back up to the summit was equally fun, though I was getting really tired. I tried different routes up the three fun spots but otherwise just admired the views and solitude right in the middle of town!
The descent down Mummy to the trailhead was a pain in the butt. The scree makes for very slow going, and I fell once and now have a very sore and bruised palm. At least I didn't land on a cactus! The mountain is not particularly overgrown, and has only scattered flora, but my bare legs got torn up pretty good, primarily from plowing through small palo verde. There's not much catclaw or cholla.
When I got back I guessed my AEG to be over 3000, but the GPS track came out at just over 4! After syncing it on the HAZ route manager topo, it said 4200! Wow. That's why I felt the way I did! There were a LOT of ups and downs, and I guess they really add up over 7 miles!
I'll definitely be doing this again. Fun fun fun!! 
*Parts of this paragraph may or may not have occurred exactly as I remembered it. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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