Back to Hiking in AZ!

My first full day back in the ghetto and so I curiously decided to hike the beast, Pusch Peak. While I did hike a couple of times in Ohio, those hikes were really mild compared to this peak.  I concluded my legs were out of shape so do a really steep hike followed by a longer one and maybe I'd be back, or not.  

The west facing Pusch Ridge provided shade almost for the entirety of my hike.  The Tortolita Mountains in the distance.

I start at the Linda Vista trail head, hike .8 of a mile to the above sign.  This section has an average grade of 15%, the balance of the hike averages 30%.  It's a knee buckler for sure.

The social trail is easy to follow in most places as it parallels the above divine, then crosses in front of the stone wall, at the top of the image.

Soon, I encounter the "wall" which is fun to scramble up.  

Views to the southwest appear as I struggle higher.  Damn, I have lost some fitness.

Higher I go and I have always found this particular view to be spectacular and distinctive.  I think this is around my 8th time to do this hike.  I get bored easily with trails so rarely do any trail more then once a year (ok, this summer I did hike in the Santa Ritas frequently because fire closed the Catalinas and Superstitions) and am glad the region has so many options.

Just before reaching the peak, I get a good look to the northeast where the fire raged this summer.

Awesome to the north.

Looking down on "The Cleaver" as it casts a shadow.  Its southeast side was consumed by the Bighorn Fire as were the areas around it.  The damage is pretty obvious.

After just over 2 miles, I've gained 2700'.  The summit register, found in an ammo box, is missing so was not able to sign in.  I suppose someone removed it thinking this peak too would be consumed but it was spared.  I bade farewell and began a descent that takes longer then the ascent, finishing with 4.3 miles.