Weather: 75ยบ, sunny
Time: ~90 minutes to the summit from junction with FR 1688
About this Hike: Normally I wouldn't record my time for a hike like this, but I feel it was significant for reasons to be shared shortly...
First, let me say I never would have expected to be doing this hike in May. The unseasonably 'cool' weather this spring has been a real treat.
Mt. Ord looms directly next to Highway 87 as one drives between Phoenix and Payson. Many a trip to Rim Country has left me wanting to explore this 7,000 foot+ peak. The communications towers and fire lookout are often directly visible from 87. It's rare that you can see a mountain peak so clearly from its base.
It is nearly one year to the day that Mt. Ord's base charred by the Potatoe Fire. For quite a time last summer Mt. Ord (and most AZ Federal lands) was closed. Admittedly, I was nervous and was considering a backup should the gate at the base be closed and locked. It was open upon arrival.
The road up Mt. Ord varies from rocky and rough to packed dirt. It's narrow most of the way, and coordinating with on-coming vehicles (rare on this Memorial Sunday afternoon) can be a tricky dance.
I reset the trip odometer upon pulling off paved Highway 87 and onto Mt. Ord Rd. The plan was to drive up about 3.5 miles, park in a turnaround, and hoof it up to the summit. I made it 2.5 miles when I encountered the junction with un-maintained Forest Road 1688. A grove of ponderosa and juniper made for a shaded parking spot and/or camping spot. I backed the Xterra in and planned on an extra mile hike. The bumpy road had gotten to me in just those short 2.5 miles (which doesn't say much; I have low tolerance for rough dirt roads).
If Google Maps is to be believed, it was almost 5 miles to the summit. I didn't hike particularly fast. Occasionally I had to hit the ditch when a vehicle choosing to drive to the summit went by in a cloud of dust. I stopped often for pictures of the wildflowers, greenery, and breathtaking views. Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Reservoir, Verde River, and the Four Peaks are strikingly visible as you get higher on Mt. Ord. Say nothing of the Mazatal Wilderness that surrounds you. Yet I was closing in on the summit in just over an hour...I must have hiked fast.
The final push to the summit requires a hike for all but the authorized personnel that have the key to the gate. There is a wide dirt area, and many a lifted Japanese truck was parked just before the gate.
There are multiple communications towers atop Mt. Ord. One was labeled as Verizon Wireless, another as AT&T. I had all bars and LTE service on this hike.
The Mt. Ord Fire Lookout is one of the biggest I've ever seen. Wind was booming through it's steel girders like a jet engine. A gate restricts access to the staircase, and a sign advises visitors to keep out. This is unlike fire towers I've visited on other National Forest land, but it may be Tonto Forest's policy. Regardless, with the wind, plus the height of that tower, I don't think my fear of heights would have let me climb it. I was satisfied with the views at the base of the summit.
Returning to the car, it was only mid-afternoon. I decided to explore FR-1688. This narrow, rocky mess of a road is really more of a hiking trail. It goes through some old, wooded ranch land, and works it's way up Little Mt. Ord. The summit of big Mt. Ord is visible in clearings on this hike. FR-1688 dead ends within 30-45 minute hike. On the way back a guy was attempting to drive the road in a first-gen Hyundai Tucson that appeared to only have front-wheel drive. He was at high risk of a tip over on the uneven road, and he was pin stripping the sides along the narrow road. I felt bad for him for even attempting such a feat.
All in all, Mt. Ord was an awesome hike and another off the bucket list.
Time: ~90 minutes to the summit from junction with FR 1688
About this Hike: Normally I wouldn't record my time for a hike like this, but I feel it was significant for reasons to be shared shortly...
First, let me say I never would have expected to be doing this hike in May. The unseasonably 'cool' weather this spring has been a real treat.
Mt. Ord looms directly next to Highway 87 as one drives between Phoenix and Payson. Many a trip to Rim Country has left me wanting to explore this 7,000 foot+ peak. The communications towers and fire lookout are often directly visible from 87. It's rare that you can see a mountain peak so clearly from its base.
It is nearly one year to the day that Mt. Ord's base charred by the Potatoe Fire. For quite a time last summer Mt. Ord (and most AZ Federal lands) was closed. Admittedly, I was nervous and was considering a backup should the gate at the base be closed and locked. It was open upon arrival.
The road up Mt. Ord varies from rocky and rough to packed dirt. It's narrow most of the way, and coordinating with on-coming vehicles (rare on this Memorial Sunday afternoon) can be a tricky dance.
I reset the trip odometer upon pulling off paved Highway 87 and onto Mt. Ord Rd. The plan was to drive up about 3.5 miles, park in a turnaround, and hoof it up to the summit. I made it 2.5 miles when I encountered the junction with un-maintained Forest Road 1688. A grove of ponderosa and juniper made for a shaded parking spot and/or camping spot. I backed the Xterra in and planned on an extra mile hike. The bumpy road had gotten to me in just those short 2.5 miles (which doesn't say much; I have low tolerance for rough dirt roads).
If Google Maps is to be believed, it was almost 5 miles to the summit. I didn't hike particularly fast. Occasionally I had to hit the ditch when a vehicle choosing to drive to the summit went by in a cloud of dust. I stopped often for pictures of the wildflowers, greenery, and breathtaking views. Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Reservoir, Verde River, and the Four Peaks are strikingly visible as you get higher on Mt. Ord. Say nothing of the Mazatal Wilderness that surrounds you. Yet I was closing in on the summit in just over an hour...I must have hiked fast.
The final push to the summit requires a hike for all but the authorized personnel that have the key to the gate. There is a wide dirt area, and many a lifted Japanese truck was parked just before the gate.
There are multiple communications towers atop Mt. Ord. One was labeled as Verizon Wireless, another as AT&T. I had all bars and LTE service on this hike.
The Mt. Ord Fire Lookout is one of the biggest I've ever seen. Wind was booming through it's steel girders like a jet engine. A gate restricts access to the staircase, and a sign advises visitors to keep out. This is unlike fire towers I've visited on other National Forest land, but it may be Tonto Forest's policy. Regardless, with the wind, plus the height of that tower, I don't think my fear of heights would have let me climb it. I was satisfied with the views at the base of the summit.
Returning to the car, it was only mid-afternoon. I decided to explore FR-1688. This narrow, rocky mess of a road is really more of a hiking trail. It goes through some old, wooded ranch land, and works it's way up Little Mt. Ord. The summit of big Mt. Ord is visible in clearings on this hike. FR-1688 dead ends within 30-45 minute hike. On the way back a guy was attempting to drive the road in a first-gen Hyundai Tucson that appeared to only have front-wheel drive. He was at high risk of a tip over on the uneven road, and he was pin stripping the sides along the narrow road. I felt bad for him for even attempting such a feat.
All in all, Mt. Ord was an awesome hike and another off the bucket list.
