This peak is the 2nd highest point in the Phoenix Mountains. Only Camelback surpasses it in height and difficultly. These two mountains are the major hiking tourist attractions for visitors. Many hiking clubs also use these two peaks as weekday workouts to practice and train for weekend getaways. They are also peaks included in the annual Phoenix Summit Challenge.
One-Way Mileage: 1.2 miles
Elevation gain: ~1,190 feet
Top Elevation: 2,608 feet
Experience Needed: This is not a beginner hike. Although it is in the “must-do” category for tourists you should have some experience hiking before planning to conquer this one.
Difficulty: Strenuous and Difficult. If you are not used to hiking, you will suffer from a pounding heart and you may want to take breaks. There are benches placed along the trail, use them when needed.
Parking: The parking for this trail and others within the park is off Lincoln and 24th Street, just east of the 51, 2701 E Squaw Peak Drive. The Summit Trailhead has a limited parking lot right at the start of the trail, but it fills up fast. You may have to park farther east in the Park and walk a bit more if you want to hike at a popular time. Restrooms and ramadas are also available in the parking areas.
Pets: No pets are allowed on the summit trail. But don’t fret; there are other trails in this park system that allow dogs.
People Meter: Heavily traveled year-round. Many hiking clubs use this trail as a warm-up for harder hikes, many tourists also visit this trail as directed by friends or guidebooks.
Safety: Although this is a city hike you need to take just as many precautions as you would otherwise. Bring your cell phone, bring water, and wear the right shoes (ones that you can trample over uneven rocks in); bring a headlamp or flashlight just in case you get caught after dark. It’s a difficult rocky path in the dark. The trail is exposed in places, so be sure you take into account any fear of heights as you hike. Bring a granola bar or other snack in case you need a boost.
My experiences: I first hiked to the summit in October of 2006. My neighbors took me up just as it was getting dark. I remember thinking my heart was going to burst during the first ¼ mile. I had to rest and pull my mental state into balance to determine if I was going to chicken out or meet the challenge in front of me. I continued on, pulled forward by singing with Marie the song When You Were Young by The Killers, repeating the lyrics “Can we climb this mountain / I don’t know/ Higher now than ever before/ I know we can make it if we take it slow” And we did take it slow. When we finally hit the summit we were proud, exhausted and a little giddy. It was one of those moments in my life that helped me when I needed it most.
After that first summit, I knew I had a friend in the Phoenix Parks and I continued to go back week after week, summiting the peak some weeks and exploring other trails in the system other weeks.
Here is a sample of those experiences along the summit trail from 2008 – present time.
February 2008:
May 2008:
January 2009:
November 2009:
December 2010:
For more information, maps and guides, check out these sites:
Wikipedia
City of Phoenix park map
hikearizona.com
No comments:
Post a Comment