Piestewa Peak with Grand Canyon on the Mind

It’s training time for the Grand Canyon again which means I’m out to conquer Piestewa and Camelback multiple times before we leave. The last time I hiked Squaw was the day after Christmas and it was a-bustle of activity. Today I arrived around 11:30 and found the main parking lot about half full. 93° and midday midweek probably has some influence on this. Hikers were sparse, shade even sparser. At my first rest at the 2nd to last bench I had to eat some lunch to keep my energy up. I met a lovely fellow the age of 62 who was out hiking with heavy Nikon camera equipment in order to acclimate before he hikes to Phantom Ranch with half a dozen others next week. He was a nice Chicagoan man and we talked camera talk for awhile. We spotted a hawk but by the time he had his camera ready, the hawk had disappeared. I have to say looking at the weight and bulk of the fancy camera I am quite happy with my small and sleek Canon S95. It takes quality photos and is the perfect size for backpacking.


Up at the first handrail I noticed they’ve been working on the trail – at least enough to put in a “Stay Out” sign to try to keep hikers from making shortcuts around the handrail area. I think last November this was the area that someone on the trail ahead of me spotted a snake and people were scrambling down the side of the trail to escape the little black and white fellow (probably a harmless Kingsnake) before someone picked him up with a stick and flung him off the trail. This type of trail activity can really tear up and degrade the rock so the trail becomes less stable and sketchier, hence the sign now.

At the top I noticed new graffiti, the ever present orange peels, and a beautiful non-smoggy sky!

On the way down I heard a rustle in a bush by the rock you climb under as you summit. The not so sneaky Chuckwalla cursed himself as his rustling “outed” him and I proceeded to use him as a model. He was pretty patient with me though so maybe he’s hoping to be famous someday.

After the lizard photo shoot ended, I was behind a guy for awhile who drives in every other day from Sun City West! There are other hikes nearer him but he likes the ability to time his hike to the minute and be out and back with no risk of getting lost. If you are similar to this guy, check out the Sunrise Mountain Loop hike here – it’s not as far away and is still a good workout. He also mentioned that last year, after 20 hikes at Piestewa he felt the Grand Canyon was a piece of cake (his words not mine!). They went to the River and back on Bright Angel Trail. I don’t really recommend this. For one the rangers tell you not to do this because it’s dangerous and they have to perform rescues on hikers who don’t get out before dark and don’t have permits to camp but my main reason for not recommending this is because you don’t really experience the Canyon the same way as you do overnight. Why try to hike 22 miles and 4500 feet in 12 hours? Why not enjoy the canyon, take a break for as long as you want without looking at your watch? You still have a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you hike out.

For some the reasons might be that they don’t want to carry their tent and food on their back, and don’t want to prep for a trip like that. Or they are marathoners wanting to “up” their game. To each his own I spose but I’m mighty glad and incredibly thankful to have had the time I’ve had in the Canyon.

Other posts on Piestewa Peak:
http://www.outsideaz.com/2010/12/squaw-peak-aka-piestewa.html
http://www.outsideaz.com/2010/12/squaw-piestewa-peak-urban-oasis.html
http://www.outsideaz.com/2010/12/camelback-piestewa-peak-be-careful.html