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| Hiking | 3.00 Miles |
1,374 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.00 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 0.75 mph |
| 1,374 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | We were supposed to meet up with the ABC group but ended up at the TH 45 minutes early so decided to start. My second and much younger cousin was visiting from HI so this was going to be her first hike in AZ. I really didn't have too much of an idea what this hike would be like but I can tell you, she seemed to be having a blast.
The trail starts up and up and up  just as billed. It's not too bad though. It was a bit breezy and chilly. I just kept remembering that I had read it gets worse after you get to the saddle. I had no doubt I could make this "worse" part, it was just a matter of how long it would take. Well it turns out the "worse" is just the cables and the exposure not the UP. I mean granted the "UP" in some parts involves pulling yourself while holding on to the cables. It was hard work at times but not my kind of "worse"  . I let Jaelyn lead cuz she's younger and has very long legs and then I could see which way to go. A couple times though she would say, "Oh I guess we came up the wrong side of the cables". 
This hike has lots to offer, especially the vistas. Unfortunately, the haze was hanging around so the views were not as clear. We did run into a gentleman that hikes the Peak a lot and lives just to the southwest of it. He was able to confirm some of the mountain ranges to me and point out others that I wasn't as familiar with like where the Silver Bell Mining operation is to the south and the Sawtooth Mtns to the SW.
Before making the last cable run, you come up to a circular valley that is totally cool with lots of plant life including some rather large saguaros. The trail got crowded at times. We encountered a rather rowdy boyscout troop along the way and at the top. After they left though, we got to enjoy the solitude of the Peak for about 10 minutes so that we could take our photos and soak in the views. On the way back down, we ventured over to the little Peak just to the west of Picacho. On the way back from there we ran into Sarae and a couple other members of the ABC group. I had owed Sarae a hug from several months ago so I was finally able to pay up and add another for good measure plus book a spot on a trip she's leading in April.
The hike back to the TH on the cable side of the mountain was almost as exciting as the hike up. We made decent enuf time I thot. And just before the last climb back up to the Saddle, Jaelyn asked me if she could "rally" to the saddle. It meant she wanted to make a mad dash instead of slowly negotiating up that last bit. Never heard it called that before but I like it. And before I knew it, she was out of sight so I huffed and puffed and pulled myself up to meet her at the Saddle.
We hiked down the rest of the way to the TH taking in the sights around us. Jaelyn was intrigued by the various cacti and the lichen she saw along the way. It was a great first AZ hike for her and she even got into the "wendy"s. Wendy was supposed to come but sprained her ankle. I'd say Picacho is the perfect full-body workout as my lats and upper back were just a little sore.
Moving times:
Saddle 1/2 hr 1 mile 2898 feet
Picacho Peak 40 min from Saddle (total 1 hr 10 min)1.84 mile 3351 feet
TH (including walk out to secondary peak just below Picacho) 3.71 Miles 2003 feet
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzgXzawFOzE |
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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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