Pyles Peak - Peak #10

Pyles Peak (via Cowles Mountain)
Elevation: 1,379 ft.
Miles: 5.5
Location: California, United States

Pyles Peak

Pyles Peak summit

Pyles Peak is just one bump in a series of distinct high points stretching between Cowles Mountain and Fortuna Mountain in East County's Mission Trails Regional Park. After reaching the summit of Cowles Mountain, set your sights on Pyles Peak, which lies more than a mile northward. From the edge of the service road just north of Cowles summit, find and follow the nicely maintained trail leading north toward Pyles.

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.

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.

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.