Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Panther Peak

11/22/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
We arrive at Sanctuary Cove, an 80 acre preserve that borders Saguaro West National Park. Tracy, recently admitted to a SAR team, carries the same pack she would if on a search mission.  It's rather heavy.  We pause so everyone can get a look at the labyrinth then we take the preserve's main trail, ascend a steep slope and enter the Park.
Picture
Only now, at a ridge, do we get a look at Panther Peak, there in the distance.  Panther and its sister peak, Sombrero, are prominent features to the southwest of Oro Valley.
Picture
We then descend a steep slope that is kind of treacherous with lots of loose gravel and rocks.  No trail to follow, just head to the west of the White Stallion dude ranch where there is a fence and along it, a trail.  I think the trail was put in by the ranch so guests can hike or ride it on horses.
Picture
Another look at our destination.  Doesn't look like much but it's a good hike with a fun ascent of a ravine.
Picture
How about that?  A horseshoe.  I know to look for a cairn after about 1.6 miles from the parking lot and sure enough....
Picture
....find it.  Now we turn toward the peak and begin following a series of well placed cairns.
Picture
The climb is gradual until it isn't.  Then it becomes quite steep with fun bouldering up the final section.  Two of our group are struggling and take a couple of breaks, which is fine.  I was in my guide mode but I made a fluid mistake.  I consider the distance, temperature and climbing and decide how many bottles to take so 2 for today's 5.5 mile hike.  What I sometimes fail to do is consider the added time when leading a group who hike at a slower pace. At the last minute, I had added a 1/2 bottle to my pack.
Picture
We gain on the saddle to the left of Panther and have enjoyed some hiking in the shade but the sun was gaining on us.  Now we are in the steepest section.  I'm leading the way when I'm told.....
Picture
....the two who had been struggling have decided to stop, for good.  Since the hike is an out/back they urged us to continue and they sit and wait.  Tracy, Amy and I continue and soon....
Picture
....reach the aforementioned saddle.  Great views to the south and west.  Each of us felt a little guilty about leaving the other two behind.  Knowing the next 1/2 mile to the peak was relatively easy to follow, I suggested they continue since they were first timers. I've visited the peak about 3 times so I would descend to the other two hikers, get them headed back and count on Tracy and Amy to overtake us before we reached the off trail ascent. to the first ridge we encountered coming out of the parking lot.
Picture
I spend a few minutes, gawking and taking pictures.  Once the ladies disappeared from view, I descended.  The following images were taken by Amy....
Picture
....as I am somewhere in the above image, watching them.
Picture
Reaching the peak, they look back and can see Sombrero in the foreground, the Catalinas in the background.  Meantime, I'm escorting my two hikers, taking an occasional break before reaching the end of the official trail and deciding to wait for Amy & Tracy to overtake.  We sit on some comfortable boulders and wait and wait.  Hmmmmm I'm running low on water and really glad I had that extra 1/2 bottle.
Picture
The gals take their last picture, of a distant copper mine and head back.  Where we are sitting, a slight ridge prevents us from seeing much more than a couple hundred yards.  We begin to worry but both have gps devices to follow, both are experienced hikers so what could go wrong?  Well, a fall or a snake bite but we'd know that when a helicopter came swooping in.  Finally, we could see them approaching, let out a few whistles, regrouped, ascended the steep slope and returned to the parking lot.
Picture
Above is our route, 5.5 miles and 1900' of climbing, well for two of our group.  I had something a bit less but it was still a lot of fun.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.