Picacho Peak - Done!

Sign at start - note the saddle - got as far as
left side of highest part of peak

Yesterday Dave and I hiked up to Picacho Peak, yes, the peak right by us at our RV park!  It is something I wanted to try to do, and have to say that I am not disappointed that we didn't make it all the way to the top - we made it to the saddle, which I will explain shortly.  The Hunter Trail that leads up to the top of the Peak is rated difficult, an elevation gain of 2400 feet from the base start, but I told Dave I wanted to go as far as I could just to see what it was all about.  Many folks here at the park have gone to the top and I wanted to know.  The trail is 2 miles long one-way, rated difficult, but what the heck - if some of these older folks have done it - I need to try.
We chose a day that wasn't hot and not cold.
Perfectly blue skies, starting out at 10am was 60 degrees.  By the time we got to the saddle it was 75.  I was concerned for Dave and his arthritic knee and he was concerned that I couldn't do it - the steps at places was a very deep climb - I have too short of legs he thought.  And I haven't been hiking for the last couple of weeks.  So obviously, was even more concerned.

Notice Hand rails?

View after climbing 800 feet of the 2400 feet - looking east

More Hand rails.  This one was tame!

Well, we got to the saddle - which from this point on is considered very difficult.  I could see why.  We started out on it and I got scared of the steepness and not knowing if I could get back to the saddle.  You see, you have to go almost straight down at that point - very steep, around the
peak at this point to the back side, using a cable hand-hold to keep you from falling, and then go almost straight up to the top from there.  Ah, no. Nope. Enough.  I was elated I made it to the saddle.  For those that have seen Picacho Peak, it's the area where it looks like a horse saddle - the flat part near the top.  The only mishap was me - of course - I fell a few feet coming down from the saddle and tore my pants and scraped my knee.  I slightly twisted my ankle also at the same time and it was uncomfortable for me on the way down.  Lots and lots of people hiking up and down.  Hindsight - we should have waited till during the week when we really could have taken our time.  Saw poppies just beginning to bloom - hope in another month this Peak will be in full bloom - they say the Peak turns a bright yellow from all the flowers.  Would be lovely to see!
 

Poppies beginning to bloom!

I have to say that coming down was much more difficult (forget about the ankle) because the gravel and small stones made it so unstable.  We weren't out of breath like we were going up and had to stop to rest - just very unsure of our footing.  Glad I did it!  I have now put two more things on the list to do before we head out in a couple of months. 1. A tortoise(s) is living on the slopes of the Peak, we need to find this area which means hiking around the Peak from the south side, and 2. we found a sunset trail which starts on the north side of the Peak and is for those that want to see a fabulous sunset from the western side of the Peak.  Will do!

We begin a couple of weeks of being with the 3 grandgirls, living at their house in Chandler helping take care of them while Jill travels for a week and the second week which is the start of their spring break.  We are beginning to think and plan for our departure to Washington (state) come May 1st.  Getting exciting!