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11 triplogs
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Jan 08 2011
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Mohawk MountainSouthwest, AZ
Mohawk Mountain
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 08 2011
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,400 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   5 Hrs      1.20 mph
2,400 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
azpeavy
sbkelley
Came back for another climb up this bad boy with Scott Kelley. Not much new to report, though the ascent was more enjoyable with company! Great views from the top, less hazy than last time if my memory serves me. Perfect hiking weather.

As a sidenote: Scott tried the 30' waterfall and reported its upper reaches to have rather loose rock. It's probably best avoided.

We went on to climb the highpoint of the Sierra Pinta the next day, which makes this one feel like Camelback in comparison!
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Mar 15 2010
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Mohawk MountainSouthwest, AZ
Mohawk Mountain
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 15 2010
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking3.70 Miles 2,400 AEG
Hiking3.70 Miles   6 Hrs   17 Mns   0.59 mph
2,400 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is basically a more steep, more rugged version of "nearby" Sheep Mountain. I went with Scott Surgent, and we made it about halfway up before coming to the gully split; I went ahead on the L fork and found it to dead-end, then found the R fork to be a royal pain to get up. So did Scott, and he decided to call it a day there while I went ahead alone to the top.

If you have the equipment and the knowledge to use it, the 30' rock waterfall might actually be an easier alternative to the nasty loose scree to the R of it. If you can surmount/safely descend this waterfall, all that remains in your way are one or two easy class 3 waterfalls just above.

Beautiful part of the state, especially with all the greenery from our wet winter. Nice views of the Kofas, Castle Dome, and the band of dunes paralleling the approach road from the summit!
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Jan 15 2010
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Dixie Peak 2,429 - Phoenix PreservesPhoenix, AZ
Dixie Peak 2,429 - Phoenix Preserves
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 15 2010
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking2.50 Miles 924 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
924 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to check this one out while in the area. About the only downside was the surprising lack of solitude on the trail, especially for a weekday--I think people are starting to become aware of this hike! Views from up top were quite nice--think I spotted Woolsey and Graham. I also hit P1987 on the way back, which surprisingly had a faint, but cairned trail all the way to the summit!

This is a great hike for any jaded Phoenician who's been up Camelback and Piestewa a few too many times :)
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Jan 03 2010
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Woolsey PeakSouthwest, AZ
Woolsey Peak
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 03 2010
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking4.25 Miles 2,400 AEG
Hiking4.25 Miles   4 Hrs   40 Mns   0.91 mph
2,400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
azpeavy
Scott Peavy and I decided to attempt Woolsey as our first hike of the new year, and a worthy hike it was. Going at a relaxed but steady pace, we made it up in 1:40, and were treated to the beautiful views of surrounding mountains rising out of the haze and the veritable sea of teddy bear cholla on the summit plateau! Views extended to the Four Peaks, Bradshaws, Kofas, and Castle Dome, among others. On the way down, I hit P2030, a short side trip with a nice view back at the W face of Woolsey. I wore shorts for the trip, and did not regret doing so--the cacti really only show up in force for the last 50 feet to the top.

Our route: follow the road/fence to its end, cross over. Aim to the L of the saddle between Woolsey and P2030, ascending/traversing counterclockwise around Woolsey (and staying on the largest blocky rocks when possible). Past the saddle, and NW of the summit, you should see an orangish segment of cliff (with breaks in the cliff on either side) with browner scree made up of smaller rocks below it. Pass below or through the brown scree field and continue up to the bottom R edge of these cliffs. You should see a relatively wide gully filled with more blocky rocks. Simply follow this gully up, taking the way of least resistance (whatever's widest/least steep/rockiest), and it should lead to the summit area (between the N and S summits) through a weakness in the cliffs. If you're doing it right, you should have no cliffs to scale, and nothing trickier than class 2. I'm pretty convinced this is the easiest way up Woolsey.
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Dec 13 2009
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Sheep Mountain - Gila MtnsSouthwest, AZ
Sheep Mountain - Gila Mtns
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 13 2009
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking4.90 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking4.90 Miles   5 Hrs      0.98 mph
2,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
desert_boonie
sbkelley
Short but steep! Came in* with Scott and Ken after a fun ascent of Castle Dome the day before. The gully up to the saddle was a blast to rock-hop in, and the rocky ridge up from the saddle to the main ridgeline made for some enjoyable scrambling. Aside from one tricky class 3 downclimb upon gaining the main ridge, nothing was really worse than class 2+. Vegetation was minimal throughout, probably owing to the blistering temperatures in this part of the state during the warmer months. Gloves would be helpful for scrambling on the more rugged rock, but certainly aren't necessary.

We reached the summit just in time for the clouds to lift, revealing spectacular views of the jagged peaks of the Gila Mountains on all sides. The weather at times reminded me more of summer hiking on New Hampshire's high peaks than southwestern AZ! Descent was uneventful, and was followed by a delicious cactus+date shake in Dateland. :)

*If coming via I-8 from Yuma, as we did, avoid the Ligurta exit--the road was closed due to a washed-out bridge. Approach from Wellton instead. I don't know when the bridge will be repaired...
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Dec 12 2009
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Castle Dome Peak - KOFASouthwest, AZ
Castle Dome Peak - KOFA
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 12 2009
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   5 Hrs   20 Mns   1.13 mph
2,100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
desert_boonie
sbkelley
This mountain is not for the acrophobic! It is, however, a memorable peak to climb, with equally memorable views. The wash in was pretty easy to follow (though stay L at the beginning!). After leaving the wash, the gullies up to the saddle, and about halfway again to the gendarme, involve steep slopes, gravel, and often unstable rock--easily the least enjoyable part of the ascent! Once reaching the gendarme, however, the rock is solid and handholds are plenty. After the class 4 crux--which was not as bad as expected, and which can be bypassed if necessary--it's just semi-exposed class 2 and 3 scrambling to the summit ridgeline.

On the summit, the three of us enjoyed the expansive views, particularly of Signal Peak to the N. Smog lay in the valleys (thanks L.A.), but made for some interesting visual effects. I didn't set any speed records on the descent, but aside from a few slips on the loose scree crap we had a mostly uneventful descent. We made it back to our TH with enough time to relax and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon.
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Mar 27 2009
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 27 2009
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking6.00 Miles 3,000 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   5 Hrs   35 Mns   1.07 mph
3,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
2nd time up, hiked with my mother on a beautiful day that was--for March--refreshingly cool. We reached the top of the cliffy section in 2:30 (I tried going up the middle this time), and I proceeded onward to try to bag Peak 5024'. Missed the summit trail, ended up going around to a hoodoo-free side of the peak and brute force bushwhacking my way to the top. Eventually made it to the summit after receiving a few battle scars from some agaves...where I promptly saw the trail. Oh well, at least I know where it is now...ran over to the Flatiron and back afterward because we were pressed for time. Though we saw some other people on the ways up and down, we actually had the top to ourselves.

Until next time... ;)
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Mar 22 2009
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Hunter Trail - Picacho PeakTucson, AZ
Hunter Trail - Picacho Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 22 2009
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,374 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   1.23 mph
1,374 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Though I wouldn't call Picacho, or its surroundings, the most breathtaking in Arizona, it is nonetheless a very fun peak to climb. Did the main summit and the easy 5-minute side trip to the second-highest spot above the last cables. If you can do Camelback and have even an iota of upper-body strength, you can do this one. Just bring gloves to keep your hands from getting chafed on the cables!
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  1 archive
Dec 27 2008
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 27 2008
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking5.40 Miles 2,780 AEG
Hiking5.40 Miles   6 Hrs   10 Mns   0.88 mph
2,780 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My first--but definitely not last--time to the top of the Flatiron! Went on a gorgeous late December day with my mother and stepbrother's gf. We encountered a few small patches of ice and sprinklings of snow starting at the basin. The last flat bit of trail to the Flatiron is kind of icy--be careful. Seeing several of the higher, distant mountains crowned with snow was breathtaking! My knees are sore, but my heart is glad...
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Sep 21 2007
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 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Humphreys Summit Trail #151Flagstaff, AZ
Humphreys Summit Trail #151
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2007
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking10.25 Miles 3,313 AEG
Hiking10.25 Miles   7 Hrs   15 Mns   1.41 mph
3,313 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
So...my first state highpoint in almost 6 years and my first time hiking above 8200'--and I do this hike with an injured leg, three hours of sleep in the two nights previous, and from Phoenix, 11000' below, the day of the hike! Why do I do these things..? God only knows. :o

Anyway, got to the trailhead on what was truly a beautiful, crisp, cold September morn, exactly the way it should be. My mother and I hiked up slowly, pausing often to catch our breath on account of the oxygen shortage and not acclimating. My mom "hit the wall" just below the saddle (3 hours in), and she waited there while I continued to the summit with another hiker. We made our way to the top in 50 more minutes, my legs burning and my lungs gasping for air. The views were magnificent, and the summit breezy and cool.

After twenty minutes, we headed down to the saddle, and my mother and I practically ran down the rest of the trail. I was developing a nasty altitude headache which finally went away on the drive back to Phoenix. She didn't do too badly though for somebody who had a heart attack five years ago!

I will definitely be back to do this one again, but hopefully with the added comfort of acclimating beforehand!
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  1 archive
Mar 25 2007
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 27
 Triplogs 12

38 male
 Joined Dec 10 2006
 Aurora, CO (and
Brown's PeakPhoenix, AZ
Brown's Peak
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 25 2007
easternewbie • Triplogs 12
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,957 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   4 Hrs   5 Mns   1.22 mph
1,957 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I had my introduction to western mountains on Browns Peak, and it was a definitely unforgettable experience! On a beautiful March day I ascended Browns via the brushy gully N of the peak in both directions. Finally made the summit, which was in perfect conditions--slightly breezy and in the sixties. Found a few snow patches in the gully that helped more than hindered. My stepfather in his fifties made it most of the way up, but stopped a few hundred feet below the summit and waited for me, sitting on two cacti in the process :o

If you want to climb Browns, there's basically no "easy" route--you'll be doing at least class 2 scrambling. If you take it slow and only go where you feel comfortable, you should be slower but fine.

This will hopefully be the first of a great many western peaks! :D
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average hiking speed 1.06 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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