|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 3.77 Miles |
2,655 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.77 Miles | 6 Hrs 30 Mns | | 0.90 mph |
| 2,655 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 20 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | I’d had Montezuma Peak on my list for a while, then finally decided to throw it out there publicly to see if anyone else was interested. Ended up with a good group, and Chumley was overjoyed to get the middle seat on the drive. On the way out, we watched temps dip as low as 25 degrees, but it was closer to 40 at our start point, which was about a quarter mile before the road ended.
As for the hike, we walked the final bit of road, then Bruce and Bob took a nap on some lounge chairs. After that, there is a trail to the ruins of Don Joaquin’s Mine. We looked at the old building for a few minutes, then dropped into the drainage. Poked around for the mines and found a few that were filled in.
The drainage got steeper and steeper as we slowly made our way up. Bob tried to lead us astray. The lower half of the drainage is steep, but not particularly difficult. The upper half is steeper, and more difficult in my opinion. At one point, Chumley and I stayed left, while Bob, John, and Bruce went to the right. Left was probably the better call. Once on the crest of the Estrellas, it was still a steep scramble up to the summit, but the best route was fairly obvious. The entire ascent had been in the shade, but the summit was sunny, and views were clearer than expected.
After a snack break, we carefully picked our way downhill, which took almost as much effort as the ascent. Loose rock/soil in the upper part threatened to send you sliding with every step. Lower down, the footing on the bare rock of the drainage was generally better, but the boulder hopping was tiring on the knees. During one break, we could hear voices, and eventually encountered an odd group of four other hikers who seemed to be wandering around with no particular, or realistic, goal.
Saw tons of bighorn evidence, but I’m guessing a chatty group of five hikers encouraged them to hang out elsewhere for the day. One fox leg. Feathers, and a bird (probably hawk) skeleton with an intact skull and jaw. The road from the powerlines starts out very sandy then becomes rocky. We parked right where the road deteriorates to serious 4wd.
Great day, with perfect weather, and a fun group with entertaining conversation. Despite the low mileage, this was one of the harder hikes I’ve done in recent memory. |
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
Route 
The muscle cars racing at 
On the drive out, I spent about an hour pruning some of the major desert pin-stripers along the approach road. One still needs to be adept, but it's better now than it was. I also find it strange that four wheelers can still drive vehicles into the wilderness area at the Montezuma Peak TH.
I ran out of daylight. Nighttime finish. I’m glad I own a headlamp. 
I got out and looked around to see where the person was to lend a hand but nobody was in sight. I drove back to the turn for Quartz and then turned back and headed out the south end. I was hoping to find the unfortunate one that got stuck and pull them out with the Cherokee. No such luck.
