Leading a Hike & The Cleaver

Prior to bellow's Thanksgiving Day ride, I led a hike to Sombrero Peak.  Only 2 people showed up but they were fit and fun with whom to hike, Jerry and Krista.

The trail, short at only 1.5 miles to the peak is very steep, rocky, lots of loose rock so a bit of a challenge.

At the top. we spent a few minutes to rest and sign in to the trail register.

Since the hike started at 1:00pm, the sun was low in the sky on the return, putting part of the trail in shade.  The high today was only 67 so it was a relief when we emerged from the shade in to the sun.

On Wednesday, I decided to hike to the Cleaver, above in the middle.  At only 5.5 miles round trip, it's not the distance but something else that makes it tough.

I follow the easy to follow Pima Canyon Trail for 1.6 miles, leave the trail up this creek bed with water flowing and....

....at this cairn, leave the creek bed and.....

....into the wilderness I go.  Every hike report I have read describes this as, "There will be blood." type hike.  All off trail bushwhacking through dense brush.  I am making progress but it is slow when I hear animals growling and fighting.  Oh boy, not what I wanted to hear and so pack it in.....

....on the hike out, I call a fellow hiker, who also carries a lightweight Ruger pistol.  A woman, Amy,29 and grad of FSU on a cross-country scholarship is all for the hike.  I tell her she will be my bodyguard and to practice by target shooting.  She says she is a crack shot but keeps the magazine separate from the gun and is a little shaky on quickly inserting the mag in to the gun in an emergency.  Not sure if she could get it done while a bear is charging.  Then Amy begins reading the hike reports, "Hey, have you read these reports?" (yes)..."Hey, I can't sleep thinking about this hike." (Amy, it's just a hike I reply), "Hey, I am freaking out thinking about this hike and am backing out." (Whatever, sissy).  But, I have a back-up plan and boy is it a good one for a Friday hike.....