Picacho Peak Summit

Picacho Peak State Park,
Pinal Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Hunter Trail

Total Time: 3:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4 Miles

Pros: Very intense climb with cables and great views
Cons: $7 Entrance Fee

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

I had made a trip to Arizona to attend a tradeshow, and I ended up taking a few hikes during my trip. I was fortunate to travel with my good friend and hiking partner Yehudah Koblick. We had great weather during our Arizona trip, with bright sunny days and a high 80 or above.

I have passed Picacho Peak many times driving from Phoenix to Tucson, but have never had a chance to make it up the mountain for a hike. I figured that this trip, together with Yehudah, I would get it done. The mountain doesn't look so big, ut when you look closely at it and are close by it is actually foreboding with very steep cliffs and vertical terrain. I was surprised just how difficult this mountain is, and at the same time how rewarding it was.

We started at the Hunter Trail parking area, and took the Hunter Trail steadily up to the saddle. This part is steep and vertical but was easy being a typical climb. Once we got to the saddle, we continued along the Hunter Trail and were surprised to see it descenting down the mountain. We asked someone coming up why the trail is going down; he said it was to go back up again. This down part is extremely steep and on cables. We almost turned around at this point due to the difficulty and the late hour, but we still forged ahead.

We continued along after the descent back on the ascent and up to the top of the mountain. There are many excellent scrambles are rope-requiring areas because of the scrambles and cliffs. We took a well-deserved break at the very top of the mountain, and then headed back down using the same route.

Map of the Route

Hunter Peak Trailhead Plaque with Picacho Peak in the Background

Yehudah Koblick and Myself at the Trailhead

Calloway Peak from the Trailhead

Another View of Calloway Peak

Me Climbing up the Hunter Trail

Yehudah Climbing up the Hunter Trail

Yehudah with the Cliff Face Behind Him

View of Peak Above the Cliff Wall from the Saddle

Picacho Peak Saddle

Yehudah at the Picacho Peak Saddle

Saguaro Cactus at the View at the Saddle

Me at the Saddle

Steel Cables Descending from the Saddle

View from the Western Side of the Mountain, with a Large Cactus

Mountains in the Distance Along the Western Side of the Mountain

Yehudah Ascending a Steep Part with a Steel Cable

Near the Final Ascent of the Mountain

Yehudah at the Picacho Peak Summit

View from the Summit, with I-10 in the Valley

View from the Summit, Facing Southeast Towards Tucson

Me and Yehudah at the Summit

Me on the Picacho Peak Summit, Facing Southeast

Me on the Picacho Peak Summit, Facing Northwest

Northern Ridge of Picacho Peak

View of the Valley and Highway done Below

Yehudah Descending the Mountain on Cables

Me Descending on Cables

Me and Yehudah at a View on our Descent

Yehudah with Saguaro Cacti

Saguaro at Sunset

Another Perspective of the Above Picture

Picacho Peak Trailhead at Dusk

Soliders Delight Serpentine Barrens

Soldier's Delight Natural Environmental Area 
Baltimore Co.,
Maryland

Hiking Trails:
Choate Mine Trail: Red blaze
Serpentine Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.9 Miles

Pros: Very interesting ecological and ecological area
Cons: Lacks good climbs

Hiking Partner:
David Cynamon

I had been visiting family in Baltimore, and went with my friend David of Baltimore for a regional hike. David did the planning and has hiked most of the trails in the Baltimore area. It had started snowing as we started the hike, and it eventually changed over to slete and eventually rain when we were nearly done with the hike.

We parked in trailhead parking area alongside Deer Park Road, and we crossed the road. We took the Choate Mine Trail to the mine and inspected the pits and surrounding area. We then turned around, and took the Serpentine Trail to the Nature Center. We visited the Nature Center, which was surprisingly open in the winter. It has artifacts and interesting information on the surrounding area and is a worthwhile visit. We completed the Serpentine Trail loop, passing through the grassy barrens to the end of the trail.

Map of the Route

Overlook at the Parking Area

Looking Towards the Serpentine Ridge from the Parking Area

Me at the Parking Area and Overlook

Kiosk at the Trailhead

Information Plaques and Trailhead Information

Choate Mine Trail Entrance

Choate Mine Trail through the Barrens

Mine Pit. These Mines were Mined for Chromium Ore (Chromite)

Another Mine Pit

Snow Accumulating on the Serpentine Trail

Soldier's Delight Nature Center

Information Plaque on the Serpentine Preserves Inside the Nature Center

Plaque Explaining the Serpentine Barrens, on the Trail

Serpentine Barrens

Another View of the Serpentine Barrens

Trail Going Through the Serpentine Barrens

Me and David Cynamon at the end of the Hike