Clouds were moving in – it was humid, but cooler than many previous days, and it seemed just cool enough for a hike on the Pusch Peak Northwest Side Route – I made it 2 miles and 1700+’ up the trail before the rain and the dark gave me good reasons to stop, take a picture, enjoy a break and return down to the city.
The storms have been amazing the past few weeks! A few shots from a hike up to the first vista off of the Pusch Peak Northwest Side Route…
The idea was to take some night pictures of the Oak Fire from the San Pedro Vista and then get a workout on the Incinerator Ridge Trail – the Oak Fire was not as bright/visible as I hoped, but the storm, clouds and lightning were beautiful and and I sat for awhile about 1.5 miles up the trail taking pictures and enjoying the night.
Southeast, and above, the Molino Canyon Overlook there is an impressive ridge – I have been up to the ridge a number of times to climb at The Ruins, but had never spent any time hiking or exploring in the area… Arriving at the Molino Canyon Overlook at 5pm meant we had just over 2.5 hours to get to Point 4831 and see the sunset on this long summer day – plenty of time for several breaks in the shade along the steep climber’s trail to the ridge.
Ridge – Point 4773 (above the Ruins) – and then on to Point 4831. The trail is – mostly – easy to follow, only occasionally disappearing. The top seems so close! False peak… We continue along the path, under Point 4831 to a great rocky ledge with an old fire ring – a nice spot to sit and enjoy the sunset.
We watch the cars and city light as it gets dark –
and eventually turn on our headlamps and head down… 3.5 miles, 1000′ of elevation gain/loss – there is a well used climber’s trail from the Molino Canyon Overlook up to the ridge but note that it is not an official trail.
Hiked the Pontatoc Ridge Trail to the ‘End of Trail’ sign – Sunset and darkness on the trail with Alison. We were later than planned and returned to find one of our car windows smashed – nothing of note to steal so just glass shards and insurance to deal with – not the only time we know of this happening at this trailhead.