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| Hiking | 12.00 Miles |
2,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.00 Miles | 9 Hrs | | 1.33 mph |
| 2,000 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | On 3/31/07 we started at 8AM from the parking lot near the top of Mt. Lemmon, just short of the gate to the research area. There were 3 of us - male - ages 34, 45, 70. The elder gent was a mountain climber/hiker with many 14ers under his belt - far more than the younger guys. From the time we got out of the car to the end of the hike, we did not see another person all day. Wonderful hike with lots of ups and downs - we estimated about 11 - 12 miles round trip with a net gain/loss in each direction of about 3800 feet (2600 ft down and 1200 up on the way out to the peak).
There were tremendous views of Pusch Ridge from a northerly perspective, and it was possible to see "The Window" from the right vantage point. . We started our scramble to the top of Samaniego Peak from Walnut Spring. We did this hike at the end of March 2007 and water was present in Walnut Spring and water was flowing. Snow was still visible on the Northwest faces of the mountains. There was no well-defined trail up to Samaniego Peak from the main trail, but it was a fun and not-too-difficult scramble. We came across a route to the peak marked by red ribbons in trees, but by our estimation this did not seem to be the best way up to the peak.
It appears that the Samaniego Ridge trail sustained a lot of damage from the Aspen Fire of 2003. With the new undergrowth the trail can be difficult to follow at times, although there are enough trail markers, cairns, and red ribbons to guide you through most of the areas. Nonetheless, pay attention and be alert as it is not too difficult to wander off the trail. Clearly not too many hikers make it out here. The footing itself is quite good considering the fire that came through here just a few years ago.
The views from various points of the trail and Samaniego peak itself were outstanding, and looking towards the origins of the Canada del Oro down below created a true longing in us to visit these remote origins someday. A trail leads there, but we have heard it too has been damaged by the Aspen Fire of 2003 and may be hard to follow.
Overall, this was an outstanding hike that involved elevation changes that challenged/surprised us, despite having carefully read the topo maps prior to the hike and "knowing' what to expect. Hmmmmm. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
. The nasty catclaw, honey locust, whatever it was, took its pound of flesh. 
