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| | | Eastern Piestewa Peak Park Loop, AZ | | | |
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Eastern Piestewa Peak Park Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.95 Miles |
1,327 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.95 Miles | 2 Hrs 47 Mns | | 2.57 mph |
| 1,327 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Another area trails to complete. I drew up a route using the Mohave Trail as it is the only one I hadn't done in the park. I almost stuck to the route.
I parked at the Ocotillo tiered lot. They sure have done a nice job with these areas. I even found the Mohave Trail right away from where I parked. However, the direction seemed wrong as I headed north but it soon switch backed to the south as you slowly proceed up the hillside. Once you're at the saddle, the Mohave Trail continues south but you veer to the east and north toward what I think is Mohave Ridge on what the Mtn Biking Site calls Redhorn Trail. You weave up the mountainside. In front of me, in the beginning, was a family of 7, all very young including a baby being carried by the father who was in dress pants and white shirt. I eventually passed by them and wondered why they chose this trail and how far would they make it, as it was pretty steep.
There's lots of curves on this one and a little false summit. It was fun to get to the top and look around. There was a long metal pipe railing up here  . The views were great. As I hiked down the flora was very nice all around me (leafed out ocotillos) and the views to the south and east were interesting too; especially of Camelback and I could see clear to the Supes as well. The trail was laid out before me including a nice little flat section where I could gawk a little more.
I got to another little junction and then thot to check RS. It seems the route I had put together and the one I was following had a divergence. I looked around and down where I could see a trail that went west which is not the direction I would want to go once I got down the mountain. I took a screen shot to see if I could figure it out when I got back. I can't remember where I got this part of the route but maybe from one of the bike sites. I can see now I was just below the spur trail that goes up to the top of RJ Peak and comes back down to the main trail I was on. (Per another website, they actually call this piece Redhorn Trail which includes the peak I missed.)
I continued on the only available trail and hoped that once I got lower and met up with the east/west trail (Mohave Connector 202A?) that I would be able to go east. Soon enough I would see a saddle below me where a trail continued south up a mountain but the east/west trail was also here and I could head east, whew.
I took the Mohave Connector Trail #202 east and could see quite a few hikers below. Once I got to the bottom I headed north on the Quartz Ridge Trail #8A. It's a long valley that is next to Tatum Wash (which I didn't realize until I checked the map on another website). I headed on up with the rest of the horde coming and going. Apparently this must be a popular hike; a lot more so than the north side. I came upon one of the largest and roundest quart boulders I have ever seen  , it was a beauty!! And then I saw lots of other larger quartz pieces on the hillside; thus why "quartz" is in the name.
The tread is pretty decent as is the grade. I didn't realize it was a mile to the top and about 444 ft gain. I can see why people choose it for a quick workout hike; like Shaw Butte. I, once again, enjoyed the flora (saguaros, etc) and the rock. There are some pretty good sized steps as you get to the top. Once I rounded the corner I saw a female ranger and commented to her that she was the first ranger I've seen out here in 20 years. She said that Camelback requires most of their attention. I continued east on Ruth Hamilton Trail #8B and about half-way I decided not to go back on it to catch up with 8A but rather go north on 36th Street.
Once I was at the intersection with 8 north, I had paused to change podcasts and a gentleman asked if I was lost. I told him "no, but thanks for asking". I decided to go west and head toward 8 and then walk north above Tatum Wash to 100 before circling back and across the wash. It was kind of what I mapped out. The clouds had started rolling above the western sky. I would see a lot more hikers and bikers until I started west on LV Yates Trail #8. I could see the saddle as my next goal.
I was getting some backlit cholla and more fun clouds  so I took more photos. The trail is interesting here as far as the tread and flora. The climb south up to the saddle is not bad at all. The side views of the mountainsides is nice here. As I hiked down Nature Trail #304 I started encountering lots more people.
When I got to the parking lot I thot I would continue on the 304 and then crossover toward Tonto 3. However, I thot I could see a trail over on the east side of the parking lot so I headed back only to find no trail but a road walk, oh well. The traffic wasn't too bad as I made my way to the sign at the Mohave TH/ Ocotillo Parking area. I checked out the sign to verify the trails.
The clouds continue to put on a show so I obliged by nabbing some more photos, as if I hadn't taken enough already. A good afternoon, but wish I had added a little more mileage on the north side. Anyway, another Area done as Mohave was my last trail on the Extreme Heat Restrictions list. I enjoyed my Huck beer with great views of Piestewa.
WATCH: 6.47 miles (1967 high point - 1483 low point). 134 avg bpm, max 164 (16% Zone 4, 34% Zone 3, 48% Zone 2) burning 1177 calories. Starting temp 64.3 and 24% humidity finishing at 4:51PM |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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