I HATE SNOW!! Bill Williams Mountain

Weather:  ~35°, strong winds, snow

Time round trip:  ~3 hours to summit and back

About this hike:  After Grand Canyoneering on Saturday you'd think I'd have had enough punishment.  Think again.  After leaving the Canyon I opted for a hotel in Williams rather than drive 3.5 hours back to Phoenix.  Bill Williams mountain, right in the middle of town, was on my list of things to check out.

An easily accessed, no-fee trailhead is right by the ranger station.  The summit hike is 3 miles of beautiful alpine forest complete with pines, aspens, and more.  At the top are radio towers and a fire lookout.

On the trip up I was plenty warm.  I was dressed right and all around prepared for this cold hike.  I even commented that the ponderosa pines and snow looked Chirstmas-y.  Now I will admit it wasn't heavy snow but more like big graupel pellets.  It would start, then stop, sun would come out, snow would melt--repeat cycle.  The wind, while audible in the thick forest canopy, did not affect me much on the trail.

When I finally reached the summit it was a different story.  Within seconds I felt frostbite setting into my hands.  Gloves weren't much help.  The summit joins to a dirt access road, which I would've had to follow a little ways to get to the true summit where the fire lookout is located.  It didn't happen.

While disappointed, I suppose this gives me an excuse to come back--ideally in the middle of July when snow isn't likely anymore!  I am paying for this hike too.  What began as a dull ache in my right knee has turned into something debilitating.  Hoping it's just a strain...I'm too young for a knee replacement, and I expect to be at my beloved Camelback this Saturday morning!

So I hiked ~16 miles at Grand Canyon and another 6 at Bill Williams.  I am in pain, but the memories made this trip were worth it.

Ain't She Grand

Weather:  73°, sunny

Total time:  6.5 hours, from Bright Angel trailhead to Colorado River and back

About this hike:  I have been wanting to do this one for a while.  Warnings not to hike to the river abound.  I consider myself in decent shape and went for it anyway.  I know plenty of Canyon runners who go much further in a day than I did.

That said, it got tough right before I reached the river.  Inf fact, hiking along Bright Angel Creek I thought maybe that was the Colorado River due to drought.  I reached a stone shelter and was about to think about turning back...I went under the shelter and just a little ways ahead I could see the raging turquoise-blue Colorado.  I continued on and put my feet in her icy waters.

While at the river I chatted with a couple who were also day hikers and they told me all about heading back up along South Kaibab trail.  I was very tempted.  However, water spigots were said to be in-operable on the Kaibab and my car was parked at Bright Angel.  I could just see myself getting to the top after shuttles were done running for the night.  Not to mention I didn't have a shuttle schedule on me, meaning I'd be guessing in the dark which bus to hop on.  I opted to return along Bright Angel.  Good choice too as I filled up my water tank at Indian Gardens and was dry when I reached the trailhead.

My only regret is that out of an abundance of caution I started the trek back up after just a short stay at the river.  I wish I would've gone a little further on the river trail and seen one of the suspension bridges.  After a grueling hike up and a long rest at Indian Gardens, I was back at the Bright Angel trailhead by a little after 5.  Definitely enough time and daylight to have done the bridge.

Hikers in the Canyon and generally very friendly and will gladly share their adventures and war stories with you.  This has been a long-awaited trip that I can't wait to make again.  Perhaps next time I'll give South Kaibab a try.

Something Bugging me @ Piestewa Peak Tonight

Weather:  95°, sunset, breeze

Time to summit:  23:48 minutes

About this hike:  Unplanned evening hike up Piestewa.  I am so glad I did it--has been a stressful day and I needed the hike.  Despite the temperature reading of 95° from my car, I never broke a sweat...it honestly wasn't unpleasant temperature wise.  Gnats, on the other hand, were almost as bad as at Camelback yesterday.  Needless to say, I didn't hang around the summit too long.  I have no idea why the bugs are so unusually bad this year.

Gnat a Good Time at Camelback

Weather:  95°, sunny, breeze

About this hike:  I wasn't even going to mention today's hike because it wasn't that great.  Was with a friend and we did not make the summit.  I have never seen gnats in Arizona like I saw today.  We literally were eaten alive and just wanted to end this hike.  Unfortunate for an otherwise beautiful first day of May.

Great Holiday Weekend Hike

Weather:  78°, sunny, breeze

Time to summit:  29 minutes

About this hike:  No new record but it was a sub-30 hike!  It was crowded with tourists and I was constantly passing/dodging them, but made good time.  One man called me a "Rock Marathoner".  Whatever...I'll take it.  My special parking spot had the gates open today, so no drama with parking, despite the main lot being full (of course).  Rain's been in the forecast for today, yet it was clear skies and bright sunshine.  I wanted to get out to Superstition Flatiron today, but rain was in the forecast for Apache Junction, and from the looks of Superstition at the Camelback summit, I'd say it probably was raining out there.  Hiking Superstition in the rain--been there done that too many times.

Saw an ex's car in the parking lot today, but not the ex...

Introducing a Newb to Camelback

Weather:  78°, sunny, breeze

Time to summit:  Not Taken

About this hike:  Took a friend on a first-time tour of Camelback so today wasn't a time trial to the summit.  That said, it was a nice warm day out and we had a great time.  I always like to introduce (worthy) others to my favorite little zen spot in the Valley.

Parking was awful today.  As usual, the cops and park rangers stood around chatting and not moving the "Lot Full" sign, even as cars were driving out.  My secret spot had its gate closed today, which didn't stop me from "piggybacking" in when another car opened the gate.  It's getting tougher to park again...

Not the Best Saturday at Camelback...

Weather:  70°, sunny

Time to summit:  Not Taken

About this hike:  Woke up this morning feeling nausea and just not all that well.  Ironically it's the first time all week that I had a good night's sleep.  I guess I'll always need to feel lousy in one way or another.  I decided to take this hike slow since I definitely wasn't feeling my best.  It was a little tough, but I made it to the top and back without any trouble.  Ran into an ex on the way down, but we barely made eye contact and just kept on walking.  For the best.