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62 triplogs
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Feb 09 2019
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Bushmaster Peak - TMPTucson, AZ
Bushmaster Peak - TMP
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 09 2019
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking2.00 Miles 1,200 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   0.80 mph
1,200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went with the girlfriend (her first bushwhack!) up Bushmaster from the little parking lot about a mile east of Gates Pass. As we approached the mountain we stuck to the southeast ridge, which was a little rocky, but not too tough. Running into cliffs near the top, we turned right and contoured around to the north side, and from there picked up a cairned route to the summit. On the way down we followed the same cairns to the nearby saddle and descended through the wash. Pretty dull day weatherwise, but still a fun adventure!
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Dec 12 2018
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 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Buster MountainTucson, AZ
Buster Mountain
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 12 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking4.66 Miles 1,862 AEG
Hiking4.66 Miles
1,862 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Glad I went and bagged this one before the sheep closures kick in. There's a trail for most of the route, the rest is cairned, or simply follows the ridge.
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Nov 22 2018
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 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Bear Mountain Trail #54Sedona, AZ
Bear Mountain Trail #54
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 22 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking5.00 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.67 mph
2,100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did this Thanksgiving morning as part of my very first trip to Sedona, and it was an awesome introduction. Pretty stunning canyons, geology, and vistas to check out along the whole route. And it was tough enough to work up that appetite, but not so tough that I didn't feel like exploring town in the afternoon. Can't wait to get back...
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Nov 12 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Cat MountainTucson, AZ
Cat Mountain
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking2.60 Miles 1,183 AEG
Hiking2.60 Miles   3 Hrs      0.87 mph
1,183 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Finally sacked one I've been eyeing from town for years. We went up the northwest ridge from Starr Pass, which entailed some scrambling and catclaw encounters. The summit is great, but don't touch the transmitter rock! It's covered in vulture poop, and you'll stink for the rest of the hike. The route down, first along the southeast ridge, and then turning left to meet the Explorer Trail, is well-cairned, and requires almost no scrambling. Next time - soon I hope - I'm just gonna go up and down that way.
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Oct 19 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Finger Rock Guard 6475Tucson, AZ
Finger Rock Guard 6475
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Oct 19 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hike & Climb7.40 Miles 3,894 AEG
Hike & Climb7.40 Miles   6 Hrs   30 Mns   1.14 mph
3,894 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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jrousoshammond
My birthday hike, and a lot of fun. The route from the final saddle up to the summit takes you through a neat little complex of cliffs, pillars, and chutes, and though the heights frayed my nerves and the scrambling proved a little tricky, it was definitely worth it.
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Sep 02 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Sycamore Canyon Trail #40Tucson, AZ
Sycamore Canyon Trail #40
Tucson, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Sep 02 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Canyoneering3.00 Miles 250 AEG
Canyoneering3.00 Miles   2 Hrs      1.50 mph
250 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did a little trek as far as the first swimming hole, about a mile and half from the parking lot. Flowery meadows and an incredible multitude of butterflies dominated the short hike from the car to the creek. From there it was open riverbed, punctuated by brushy, riparian forest. Some of the vegetation would have been easier to negotiate in long pants, but on the other hand a good deal of the walk was through ankle-deep water. We swam and chilled before heading back. Very nice area, and the drive is was beaut.
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Aug 05 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Humphreys Summit Trail #151Flagstaff, AZ
Humphreys Summit Trail #151
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 05 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking10.25 Miles 3,313 AEG
Hiking10.25 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   2.28 mph
3,313 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Six years of hiking AZ and I finally bagged the capital :y:
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Jul 29 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Cochise Stronghold Trail #279Tucson, AZ
Cochise Stronghold Trail #279
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 29 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking9.00 Miles 2,200 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   2.00 mph
2,200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The first new-to-me hike I've done around Tucson in a while, and it really defied my expectations. I was looking forward to an easy-on-the-eyes, Wilderness of Rocks type stroll, and it was indeed like for the first few miles. But as you approach Cochise Divide (about three miles in) an extraordinary complex of massive spires and domes comes into view. Continuing down into the valley from there is essential, I'd say, because you're treated to ever-evolving perspectives on these awesome formations. Easily one of the coolest hikes I've done in southern AZ.

Cochise Stronghold Campground is currently closed and barred to vehicles, but we had no trouble parking by the side of the road right next to the gate.
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  1 archive
Apr 16 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Manning Camp via Douglas SpringTucson, AZ
Manning Camp via Douglas Spring
Tucson, AZ
Backpack avatar Apr 16 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Backpack26.00 Miles 6,300 AEG
Backpack26.00 Miles1 Day   5 Hrs      
6,300 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Went up to Manning Camp from Douglas Spring trailhead on Monday, spent the night, then retraced our steps down on Tuesday. Getting up there with packs was a lot of work, but I'm happy to suffer a bit for that beautiful, one of a kind, Mica Mountain forest.

The first leg, to Douglas Spring Campground, is really nice right now. Lots of flowers in bloom. There was a trickle at Douglas Spring. The next leg, to Cowhead Saddle, is my least favorite part - fine at first, with open views of Reddington Pass and Helen's Dome, but soon things get brushy and constricted. Trail's still easy to follow though. From the saddle the views open up again, but the going gets tougher and steeper. After about two miles you start getting into the forest, and it's a dream from there on.

Plenty of water at Manning Camp. Didn't meet anyone else up there (though we did see one other tent). It was chilly and windy overnight, but tolerable. We had planned on spending Tuesday hitting the Mica Mountain attractions, then coming down Wednesday, but I realized I'd forgotten to leave my house key under the mat for a friend to come by and feed the cat ](*,) . Wasn't about let my baby go three days without food, so we cut it short. No big deal really - still got a great dose of the Rincons.

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Apr 02 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 02 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
2,375 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Made it to the real summit of Thimble for the first time :y: (somewhat to my surprise cause heights and scrambling generally aren't my bag :scared: ) It was well worth hitting both towers, and the chain ladder on the south one seems solid.
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Feb 20 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon TraverseTucson, AZ
Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon Traverse
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 20 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking11.90 Miles 4,850 AEG
Hiking11.90 Miles   7 Hrs      1.70 mph
4,850 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
With nasty weather bearing down all day we were lucky to avoid any fog or rain on this one. Watching the clouds roll over the top of Cathedral and Lemmon was pretty cool.

Although we chatted on the way up Pima about sheep restrictions with respect to Pusch, Table, and other things, I don't think it occurred to either of us that the side trip to Pima Saddle and the little peak nearby was not kosher. To be honest, the thought of those views (which are even cooler than those from Kimball, in my opinion) makes it a bit difficult to be too regretful...still, I support the sheep project and wont make that mistake again.
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Feb 12 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Mount Wrightson via Gardner Canyon, AZ 
Mount Wrightson via Gardner Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 12 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking18.00 Miles 4,300 AEG
Hiking18.00 Miles   8 Hrs      2.25 mph
4,300 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Gardner Canyon Trail #143
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Been doing a lot of little local not-worth-posting hikes lately, so it was great (and challenging) to get out and bag a big'n.

I was worried about the state of the road, so we parked pretty far out, just past Apache Springs Ranch, where the AZT crosses Gardner Rd. From there we followed Gardner Rd, which itself follows Cave Creek. Beautiful stroll, even if our destination looked impossibly distant. There were two crossings that made me glad we left the car behind - otherwise the road was in good condition.

It was intensely windy up on the main ridge, and I had to keep moving to stay warm. The views east as we made our way to Baldy Saddle were awesome and enduring. Spent less than a minute up top. The first half of the descent was the toughest part of the day. Got a second wind later on when the air warmed up and the sun came out. The long walk along the road back to the car, which I was sure was gonna be a pain, ended up being really pleasant and lovely.

Snarfed a 14 inch cheesesteak afterward.
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Nov 12 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
The Window via VentanaTucson, AZ
The Window via Ventana
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking12.80 Miles 4,310 AEG
Hiking12.80 Miles   6 Hrs   30 Mns   1.97 mph
4,310 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Ventana Canyon Trail #98
Esperero Trail #25
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Back at the Window for the first time in a while. The whole trail's in good condition - almost no blowdowns or overgrowth. The ridgeline portion of Esperero leading up to the Window is one of the coolest stretches of trail in the Catalinas, in my opinion. Short on time and strength, we skipped Window Peak. Probably a wise choice cause we were groaning by the end - Ventena is a much longer canyon than its western neighbor, Finger Rock.

Two hikes over the weekend and a number of short ones during the week (unposted) made this an 11000+ foot week for me :sweat: .
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Nov 11 2017
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 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Pontatoc Trail #410Tucson, AZ
Pontatoc Trail #410
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 11 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking6.00 Miles 3,000 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   1.33 mph
3,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Made it for the first time to the "End of Pontatoc Trail" sign. Beautiful area - shame it's such a pain to access.

Trail's easy for about two miles (from the FR trailhead.) Then it drops back into Pontatoc Canyon and starts to get hairy. A little trail leads up the opposite (east) side of the rocky basin, and after a few hundred years links back up with the main drainage. So far so good. From there I guess the route's supposed to lead up the hillside, but I've had trouble trying to go that way in the past, and this time I bushwhacked up the drainage. It's about half open rock, half nasty thicket. There were 3 or 4 dry waterfalls, which for me, a poor climber, were tricky. At one point, as I hauled myself clumsily over the top of one of the falls, I looked up and saw a coati staring down at me from the next crest. I thought of this meme: i0.kym-cdn.com/entr ... .jpg

After about a half mile of bushwhacking I came to the sign. From there I picked up on a route leading forward and followed it for another half mile before turning back (it was already late afternoon and I did not wanna be messing around up there after dark). On my way back I hit the nearby saddle, between peaks 5391 and 5783. At the sign, my hope was to find a route leading down over the hills, but I couldn't find anything, and ended up retracing my steps down the drainage.
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Oct 01 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Samaniego PeakTucson, AZ
Samaniego Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 01 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking12.73 Miles 3,842 AEG
Hiking12.73 Miles   7 Hrs   58 Mns   1.70 mph
3,842 ft AEG      30 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Mount Lemmon Trail #5
Sutherland Trail #6
Samaniego Ridge Trail #7
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
A deceptively tough hike to one of the coolest peaks in the range.

It's relatively smooth sailing out to Walnut Spring. Some blowdowns and catty overgrowth along Samaniego Ridge put us a slightly off track once or twice, but no big deal. We rested at the spring, which is a little ways past the metal sign that identifies it. From there we headed directly toward the peak, tooth-and-nailin' it every step of the way. I found a good stick and did my best to beat down the bush before pressing through, but still we got thoroughly minced, and they could probably hear us cursing and howling down in Saddlebrook. After a few hundred yards we found a cairn, which to our great relief marked a clear route up. Views from the summit were top shelf, and we were able to follow that route all the way back to the ridge trail.

Don't make for the summit from Walnut Spring itself. Instead, you wanna turn left at the metal sign. Follow cairns and natural paths through a lovely, meadowy area, and then to the summit. You may not have a cairn in view at all times, but you shouldn't go too far without spotting one, and you shouldn't have to do any hard bushwhacking.
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  3 archives
Sep 24 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Wasson Peak LoopTucson, AZ
Wasson Peak Loop
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 24 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking8.00 Miles 1,775 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   3 Hrs      2.67 mph
1,775 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice medium-sized hike to do in the late afternoon/evening. I'd picked up a really decent bottle of red the day before from a vineyard near Dos Cabezas, and the cool, clear summit was just about the perfect spot to enjoy it.
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Sep 03 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Miller Peak via Miller CanyonTucson, AZ
Miller Peak via Miller Canyon
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 03 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking10.00 Miles 4,052 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles
4,052 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
My first trip to the Huachucas did not disappoint. The first few miles are nothing to call home about, although there are some bits where the trail runs 50 or 100 feet above the creek but still beneath the trees, which makes for nice strolling. It gets awesome when you start to climb out of the canyon and the views of Miller and the crest open up. We rested in the shade at the bathtub where the water was clear and plentiful. The crest trail - through pine, aspen, and brilliant flowery meadows - was a breeze. We expected the final push to be a killer but it ended up being pretty painless 8) .

One unusual and persistent feature of the hike was the DHS radar balloon - could almost make a guy paranoid :scared: .

The drive down from Tucson (through Sonoita and Rain Valley) was also a beaut: pastoral ranchlands; morning mist; a number of very enticing small mountains...
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  1 archive
Aug 27 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Pusch PeakTucson, AZ
Pusch Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking3.90 Miles 2,676 AEG
Hiking3.90 Miles   3 Hrs      1.30 mph
2,676 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Always a challenge, always a pleasure. Started at 7:00 and the temps were perfect all the way up. That moment when Bighorn comes into view does not get old. Looking north from the summit we could make out Weaver's Needle and Four Peaks.
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Aug 20 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
McCleary Peak via Florida CanyonTucson, AZ
McCleary Peak via Florida Canyon
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 20 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking11.00 Miles 4,400 AEG
Hiking11.00 Miles   6 Hrs   30 Mns   1.69 mph
4,400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Good day, even if my buddy and I failed to make it to the summit ](*,) . Things were straightforward up until the last saddle where we missed the cairn which marks the normal route to the peak. Instead we went over to the left where it looked less brushy and more rocky. This was rough, particularly without long pants. After about 120 yards and in quite a carved-up condition we came to a rocky outcrop. There for the first time we spotted cairns leading forward, but the route didn't appear to ease up, and we decided we couldn't reasonably press on. No great disappointment cause the views of Madera Canyon, Wrightson, and Elephant Head were already great. There was another cairn leading back, and the route it marked was an absolute walk in the park compared to the way we'd come up. Back at the saddle we took a few minutes to build up the cairn we'd originally missed. Gotta try again soon with proper attire and a better idea of the way.

Love the wide open forest down in Florida Canyon!
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Aug 13 2017
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Green Mountain SummitTucson, AZ
Green Mountain Summit
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 13 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking1.50 Miles 900 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   1.00 mph
900 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did Green Mountain and some other little things around there. Beautiful, verdant afternoon. I rested up top at one of the fire rings, and as I stood up I saw a little bear just as he disappeared to the other side of the hill.
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average hiking speed 1.62 mph
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