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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Humphreys Peak - Failed summit attempt

Humphreys Peak
Elevation: 12,633 ft. (only reached to 11,950 ft.)
Miles: 7.0 miles
Location: Arizona, United States

San Francisco Peaks with Humphreys Peak at the center

Trailhead at 9,282 ft.

Not the best trail conditions I had imagined

Humphreys Peak is the highest mountain in Arizona and resides in Coconino County, in the northern part of the state. It is the 26th most prominent mountain in the lower 48 states, rising over 6,000 feet. Humphreys Peak and the greater San Francisco Mountain range is part of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, which includes over 18,000 acres.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Picacho Peak - Peak #9


Picacho Peak
Elevation: 3,374 ft.
Miles: 6.2
Location: Arizona, United States





Picacho Peak sticks up out of the desert next to I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson. From the base it looks like it can only be done with ropes, as it is flanked with cliffs on all sides. Two trails exist leading to the peak. Hunter trail is the most difficult, steep and twisting, 2 miles to the summit. The trail heads up steeply to a pass then goes down the other side, loosing over half the elevation in a short amount of time. The trail then continues back up cut through the rock and there are cables to help you up the mountain. Sunset Vista Trail is 3.1 miles long and circles around the backside of the mountain.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Combs Peak - Peak #8

Combs Peak
Elevation: 6,193 ft.
Miles: 9.0
Location: California, United States

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The road to Combs Peak trailhead was not an easy one. It started with a narrow 5 mile dirt road leading to the PCT trailhead that veered off from the main paved road. It was recommended to utilize a 4 x 4 vehicle or high clearance vehicle. My vehicle did not fall under that category; however, I figured I'll give it a shot. It turned out to be a slow, bumpy ride. I was only able to make it half way through the dirt road due to a small rocky creek that had cut through the road. I decided to park the vehicle along the road and hike the remaining 2.5 miles to the trailhead making the journey twice as long than anticipated.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Garnet Peak - Peak #7

Garnet Peak
Elevation: 5,900 ft.
Miles: 5.0
Location: California, United States

Trailhead


Monument Peak

Located at the northern end of the Laguna Mts, Garnet Peak marks the boundary between the alpine mountains and the Borrego Desert below. Views include Monument Peak and Stephenson Peak to the South, the Borrego Desert and Salton Sea to the East, and San Jacinto and San Gorgonio to the North. The true magic of Garnet Peak is discovered by those adventurous enough to be on the summit for sunrise. The sun's warm rays slowly bathe the desert and the jagged peaks that rise from it.