A couple of weeks ago, Tom and Lola tried, unsuccessfully, to climb Squirrel Peak. If you know Tom, you understand that if he "doesn't succeed the first time, he'll try, try again." If there's another option, and it has possibilities, he'll be back. So was the case with Squirrel Peak.
When he sent pictures of the new route he was going to try the next time, it looked interesting to us and so we asked if we could come along. We're "fortunate" that he didn't make it the first time or we would have missed out on sharing this amazing hike with a great friend! What an excellent way to start off the New Year!
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| A beautiful morning for a hike . . . what better way to start off the New Year! |
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We managed to cross over Water Canyon Creek without getting our feet wet!
(Thanks to being partially frozen and some stepping stones) |
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| Tom had our route all planned out . . . breaks included! |
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We quickly worked our way up to some great views
(This is looking south . . . down Water Canyon toward Colorado City) |
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There is no trail . . . just a lot of loose rock and a fair amount of sand
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| Once we reached the saddle, it became apparent, we still had a ways to go! |
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From here it got interesting . . . a little bushwhacking and using all fours!
(Our plan was to get up on the spine and follow it to the top) |
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| This volcanic rock really seemed out of place |
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| It looks like we are getting close! |
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| On the spine . . . at times, it was narrow and had drop offs on both sides |
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| Looking back down the spine toward Arizona (Mt. Trumbull in the far distance) |
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The landscape was like being on another planet
You would think the summit was in sight, but it's behind the one pictured here |
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Finally, we are on top of Squirrel Peak . . .
Low and behold there was an angel waiting for us!
Just kidding, it was Allison taking the picture!
Water Peak towers over Kent and The Beehive is on the right |
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| Moqui marbles! |
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| Tom and his best buddy Lola |
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Tom took a picture of us in front of The Beehive . . .
So Allison could prove she hiked Squirrel Peak! |
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We have plans to come back after The Beehive
Our first attempt, in April, failed . . . bzzz!
(Tom has a different route planned for this one, as well . . .
Should be interesting . . . stay tuned!) |
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| Kent and Tom are looking down toward Water Canyon |
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| This sandstone formation is the actual Highpoint on Squirrel Peak |
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Being the Peakbagger he is, Tom had to bag this "Squirrel" once and for all!
(Man, does this guy look satisfied or what?)
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Time to start back down the spine . . .
Heading for the scary part . . . thankfully, it's just a short section!
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If you're afraid of heights, this section might give you the willies!
(Looking down on the Water Canyon Trailhead) |
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| A squirrel-y manzanita bush with colorful red bark |
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This is the section where Kent would have turned around . . .
With Tom's assurance (and help) we were able to negotiate the narrow chute |
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| This was a welcome sight! We're almost home free! |
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The red line shows the route we took . . .
(Click on the picture to enlarge the view)
Little did we know the actual top of Squirrel Peak is not visible from this angle |
This was an exceptional hike - one we would highly recommend! All told it took us around five hours, due mainly to the loose rocks and some route finding, but was only about 3.5 miles in length. If you would like a topo map with GPS tracks of our route, you can click
here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger post.
