Picacho Peak

After coffee in Hobie’s casita, Bob, Cathryn, Matt and Mackenzie left for Picacho Peak, an hour northeast of Hobie’s home. This trail is amazing! Picacho Peak is a volcanic cone in the middle of a desert plain, unimpressive surroundings in almost every aspect, other than the ostrich farms. However, this pile of rock soaring 1500’ feet above the plain, is spectacular to view even from the adjacent freeway, Interstate 10. We left the parking lot at the trailhead at 9:15 a.m. and immediately began ascending a rocky, steep trail into the rocks. Shortly the trail became steeper, and in the shadows of the peak, out of the sun, which was welcome relief from the sun. Upon reaching a saddle about 1000’ feet and one mile above the trailhead, we started downhill, so steeply that there was large gauge steel cable strung along the rocky trail to hang onto, and leather gloves were recommended gear, which we had available courtesy of Hobie. After a 300’ drop, the trail again ascended, and continued to the summit steeply, heavily steel cabled, scrambling territory, and achieving the summit after another 30 minutes. We passed a group of 20 students aged 8 – 15 on our way up, and got to the summit 30 minutes before they did, so had lunch, enjoyed the view, then headed down the trail as soon as the group of students arrived. It was an absolutely unusual, incredible trail, unlike anything we’ve every hiked before, and sunny and warm. We got back to Hobie’s house at 2:30 p.m. in time to take showers, do laundry, take a tour of his property, Mackenzie and Matt dozed a bit in the hammock, and Bob and Hobie did chores. Shortly, we had cocktail hour and sunset, followed by dinner courtesy of Mackenzie and Matt (a fabulous dish featuring couscous, broccoli, chicken, garbanzos, feta, red onion, raisins, garlic and some other ingredients I’ve forgotten) then amiable conversation before heading to bed. Life is good in Arizona in March!!! Tomorrow we leave Hobie’s house for mountains and caves south of here.