Piestewa Peak

Weather:  ~80°  & sunny

Time to Summit:  30 minutes

About this hike:  Uneventful Saturday morning hike at Piestewa Peak.  Unlike two Saturdays ago when it appeared cops were looking the other way, cars parked illegally on Squaw Peak Drive were being ticketed today.  Glad I discovered easy and legal parking in surrounding residential neighborhoods.  Spring wildflowers in the Preserve are absolutely beautiful.

Piestewa Peak by Night

Weather:  ~85°  & sunny

Time to Summit:  ~28 minutes

About this hike:  Hiked up for the sunset, which was disappointing.  Hiked down in the dark, but I came prepared with my headlamp.  Since Piestewa Peak trails are open until 11pm (parking area closes at sunset, oddly enough), there were numerous other hikers.  Seeing all the flashlights coming down the side of the mountain was pretty cool, like when everyone puts their phones up during a dark concert.  Oh, and to mitigate the parking issue, I left my car in a residential neighborhood just off Lincoln Drive.  Numerous other hikers were in violation of the no parking after sunset rule, but it didn't appear to be getting enforced.

"Loved" My Hike Up Piestewa

Weather:  ~70° & rising. Sunny.

Time to Summit:  28 minutes

About this hike:  Haven't done Piestewa Peak since July (and even then I had some "excess baggage" that quit long before the summit!).  I did try a few weeks ago to access it via Dreamy Draw, but after over an hour of navigating labyrinthine trails that don't match the map (not a fan of Phoenix Mountain Preserve) and then finding the summit trail only to hit a "Trail Closed" sign, I gave up.

Had to fight for parking this morning, but learned that it is legal to park in the surrounding neighborhoods.  The Preserve (not the parking areas tho) stays open until 11pm.  I might have a use for that awesome hiking headlamp I bought last summer...

Despite having to dodge tourists and slow hikers, I made the summit in under 30 min.  While a few catch-my-breathe stops were necessary, Piestewa is almost too easy—Camelback please open again soon!!!

This morning a totally in love couple got engaged complete with picnic basket, wine, roses, candles and a ukulele.  Always something unique every hike...

Thompson Peak (~4K) is Off the List

Weather:  76° & sunny

About this hike:  Traffic  on the 101N to Gateway Trailhead in McDowell Sonoran was kind of heavy, but then again it's the weekend of Phoenix Open nearby in Scottsdale.  Parking was abundant at Gateway, and while the facilities are every bit as nice as Tom's Thumb, this one also has running water.

I have often gazed northward at the McDowells from atop Camelback wanting to conquer the mountain with the radio antennas on top (northward—don't confuse with South Mountain!).  I thought this was McDowell Peak, but I was mistaken—it's Thompson Peak.  Regardless, from the Gateway Trailhead it's a long hike up and over Bell Pass to the short Prospector Trail.  Prospector joins the service road that leads to the summit of Thompson Peak and the radio towers.

On the road up to Thompson Peak I encountered a MCSO deputy, but he ignored me, which is good as the language (road may be gated, county property), was unclear on whether or not hiking was allowed up there.  The maps all show the road and tell you the height of Thompson Peak, so I had to assume it was OK.  It was a very strenuous climb, and I nearly turned back at least once, but the view from on top is amazing.  The radio towers are massive and scary, and signs warn of radiation in the area.  I didn't stay at the top for long.

The surrounding scenery is typical Sonoran desert with saguaros, ocotillo, and lots of colorful rocks.  At times this hike was eerie quiet, and I saw some unidentified animal tracks on the trail.  Thankfully every so often I came across other hikers.  Being alone in this harsh desert can get scary.

Round trip, according to the maps I studied, I'd peg this hike at about 13 miles.  I am so glad to say I finally can check this one off the bucket list, but my gosh, I am so sore and paying for it tonight.

Tom's Thumb

Weather:  75º & sunny

About this hike:  I’ve heard so much about what an interesting rock escarpment Tom’s Thumb is.  I’ve also heard the recently constructed Tom’s Thumb trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve makes a hike to it easy.  I just had to check it out for myself.

The trailhead, like the rest of McDowell Sonoran, is nothing short of amazing considering it’s free.  Make sure you look at the maps on City of Scottsdale’s website and follow them carefully to find the trailhead.  It’s on a remote portion of 128^th St. way up in North Scottsdale.  Assuming you take the 101N, exit at Pima Rd. (the second Pima exit; there are two) and drive north for a while.  Turn right at Happy Valley Rd, right at Ranch Gate Rd, and one more right onto 128th St.  Reason I give these directions is because Google Maps, GPS systems, etc, will lead astray.  If you enter the address for the trailhead, you’ll end up on a ride through a gated community and to another gate with a big map posted that gives correct directions to Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.  Apparently this is a common problem.  Also note, Google will warn you that 128th St. is unpaved.  Since the construction of the new trailhead, this has changed.  It’s not great pavement, but it’s not dirt road either—easily passable in a sedan. 

Trailhead features paved parking, latrine toilets, interpretive signage, and seating areas.  There is no water at this time, but I noticed hookups on the building, so this may be coming.

I grabbed a map from one of the many boxes at the trailhead and hit Tom’s Thumb trail.  A challenging uphill climb, Tom’s Thumb is very smooth, well-graded trail.  I will admit the actual escarpment was nothing too special, but still glad I’ve done it.  After passing its namesake, Tom’s Thumb trail continues on for several miles and the desert scenery dramatically changes.  The soil shifts from sandy to a red color and from desert scrub to desert grassland.  However, I didn’t continue far beyond this. 

Returning to the trailhead, I also wanted to check out Marcus Landslide trail.  This path goes on for a few miles around what appears to be just more piles of rocks.  Interpretive signs along the way explain that this was a massive rockslide that literally toppled parts of the McDowell Mountains.  It also made some interesting rock formations.  The trail ends in a short loop and then returns to the trailhead.  Amazing views of mountains to the north and Superstition Mtn. and Weaver’s Needle to the east prevail throughout.  

Tom's Thumb up close

Tom's Thumb trailhead from high up on the trail 

Submarine Rock - Marcus Landslide trail

First Camelback Climb of 2013 & Probably Last for a While...

Hike time:  35 min. to summit

Weather:  ~40º & sunny

About this hike:  Tough!! I don’t know if I’m out of shape after having not done this the past few weeks, or if the colder weather got to me or what. Parking lot was full, but it wasn't too busy and I didn't have to deal with traffic jams and loads of tourists. That said, my time today was awful. I experienced pain in my throat, ears, and head which I can only attribute to the cold.

Upon reaching the summit I got to enjoy the Christmas tree (a little late!) that I've seen every year now since 2011.  However, I was sick to my stomach, and also found myself breathing heavier than normal today.  It's disappointing when you consider I was conditioned to make this hike in the 100º heat of summer. Regardless, this is one of the last weekends to tackle Camelback Echo Canyon trail before it is closed and majorly improved, including the parking nightmare. A little pain is definitely worth it in the end.

Weather's (a little) Cooler - Trails Even More Crowded

Hike time:  32 minutes to the summit

Weather:  65°, sun

About this hike:  Cooler weather, a week after Thanksgiving, the fact the trail's closing in little over a month—these are things that spur hikers on to Echo Canyon.  Needless to say, I took the shuttle today.  Was a crowded, but uneventful hike.  I was able to force my way thru the crowds and rarely stopped, so taking more than 30 minutes was a disappointment.  Summit was crowded and obnoxious...I heard an attempt at a capella group beltin out the Titanic theme song, witnessed an imitation of J.D. & Turk's (from Scrubs) pastime, "Eagle", and found some lost keys on the way down.  Glad they weren't mine.  I did report them to the ranger...such a nice guy :-)