HikeArizona.COM

Hope one or more enterprising HAZ members will file some sort of report or review of the 'new and improved' Pinnacle Peak TH, trail, parking and various other infrastructure reportedly opened for public usage April 20.
There's been a lot of brou-ha-ha recently in the Phoenix newspaper about this particular locale and we'd like read some 'independent' reporting from HAZ members. So, please, if you went there yesterday, write up a report. If you haven't, then by all means, go there and let us know the 'skinny.' We'd go do it ourselves but we're too far away for a 'casual trip' to the area. THANKS!

J&S in RR

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We really appreciate the report. We both had been speculating that's what was going to happen--major control episode--. There's no way they can keep up that level of Type A control there. We're going to wait for the 'dust to settle' in more ways than one on that trail before we go there but, we must add, we are sure looking forward to a trip there. We just don't want to get involved in scenes such as you described. THANKS A MILLION for the note.
J&S in RR

Hiked the Trail the day after it opened and I experienced nothing like what Dustwatcher describes. There was one person at the office/trailhead. Saw no other authority type figures, hired or volunteer. The trail did have gravel but it was a far cry from what you would find in someone's yard. My hiking companion and I had no problems with it. We even commented that it is similar to some portions of the North Kaibab Trail.

I enjoyed the trail. My only regret is that it is 49 miles from Litchfield Park.

I hiked the trail a couple days before it opened, yep I trespassed! :twisted:
Thought it was very neatly (too neat!) done and not technical in any way. We went off trail and did some bouldering, of course minding the vegetation and keeping to the rocks, that was pretty cool. The trail is not for the adventurous, but would be a good routine-in-the-morning type of hike, IMO. I thought Tom's Thumb was a much better hike/alternative to Pinnacle, and it's very close to that area. I also would like to say that I totally agree with Dustwatchers post!

I have read that the trail does not go to the top. Is it possible to get off the trail and head to the top? I dont like hiking mountains if the trail comes up short from finishing the peak and I am not allowed to jump trail to finish the mountain. :

The Trail does not go all the way to the top and there are posted signs advising hikers to stay on the trail. There are 3 rock climbing areas. It is possible that one of these areas goes all the way to the top, but I do not know.

Before there was a park or even a paved road, I used to climb routes on Pinnacle Peak, reaching the summit via several routes. The routes are still there and can be used. The easiest way to the top is a high class 4.

[quote='Unvamp']I have read that the trail does not go to the top. Is it possible to get off the trail and head to the top? I dont like hiking mountains if the trail comes up short from finishing the peak and I am not allowed to jump trail to finish the mountain. :[/quote]

Yeah, that's the way I feel about trails too! Why bother if you can't get to the top? We went off trail and climbed to the top, the only thing that you need to worry about is the fragile desert ecology, just watch where you tread....

I never worry about damaging the environment. I just be carefull and jump over all the flowers. I did that on Agassiz peak near Flagstaff. The peak is illigal to hike because of the tundra. The thing I am concerned about is that it is class 4. Ussually class 3 is my limit. I know sometimes ropes are prefered on class 4 climbs and sometimes they are not. How are the hand holds and how is it getting down? Should I hike up the trail, jump trail and head for the top or is there a better route? should I be with anybody or is hiking by myself fine?

[quote='Unvamp']I never worry about damaging the environment. I just be carefull and jump over all the flowers. I did that on Agassiz peak near Flagstaff. The peak is illigal to hike because of the tundra. The thing I am concerned about is that it is class 4. Ussually class 3 is my limit. I know sometimes ropes are prefered on class 4 climbs and sometimes they are not. How are the hand holds and how is it getting down? Should I hike up the trail, jump trail and head for the top or is there a better route? should I be with anybody or is hiking by myself fine?[/quote]

I think you'd be fine w/o ropes. We made it up with little fear of falling... it's pretty featured, and the climbing was fun....you'd be fine by yourself doing the hike/climb, IMO. That Peak has been around for a long time, there's got to be alternate routes up to the actual rocks (if you can get around the rich folk!)... I don't know of any but maybe 'SidHayes' knows of a way up that doesn't involve the new trail??? Hmmmm?