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

The Arduous Hike to Rincon Peak

11/11/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I drive about an hour to Benson where I meet a group of 8 who have come down from Phoenix to hike Rincon Peak.  I drive my car, thinking I can make it to the trail head as I did a couple of years ago.  The final 12 miles to the Miller Creek trailhead is dirt.  I observe a truck in front go through a creek crossing above its axels.  I stop.  Can't risk that and am picked up by a following SUV.  
Picture
Among this Phoenix group was Gina, 2nd from the left and next to Elaine.  She is the real deal.  Ultra trail runner and hiker.  Everyone knows who she is.  Our host to her left, Bill.  The guy has an encyclopedia knowledge of Tucson area trails and very fit too.  This is a new group with whom I just became a member, "Arizona Strong Hikers."  How about that for a name!!!  I had to show I was worthy and I had Strava segments to goad me too. That's like the perfect cocktail mix for me.
Picture
We begin the hike with a fairly flat crossing and recrossing of Miller Creek.  We reach a sign-in post and Bill asks me to mark the appropriate boxes.  A couple of guys take off (Gina began running at the beginning and so was far ahead) so now the game is on.  This trail has few views beyond.....
Picture
…..the dense vegetation but those that are there are very nice of distant peaks and the valley below. It is 4.5 miles to a respite known as "Happy Canyon" so my plan is to hit it hard to that point and then evaluate.  Geesh, the miles to the canyon floor above are a twisty morass of boulders/sand/rock hopping, but at last I pass through a shady and lush riparian zone that comprises Happy Canyon.  The trail is bound my by mature pines. What a relief after the steep climb.  I reach a sign for the "Rincon Peak" trail and soon, even more serious climbing begins.....
Picture
….in earnest.  This is what a 25% grade looks like and I know, the image gives no suggestion of the slope.  The final mile is an average of 25% and the final half mile is 30%!!!!  Having not done a hike of similar distance since spring, I thought about spitting the bit and turning around.  Eventually, I spot sheer granite rock and know I am close. I crawled at times, no kidding as I was in agony.  My previous longest hike this visit was only 9 miles.
Picture
I sign in to the summit register the usual way, "GO BUCKEYES" and my name.  Nooooo. You can barely see it upper center but the peak is still so far away.  Now vegetation slips away and I'm navigating through boulders but finally......
Picture
….the peak.  8 miles and 4500+' of climbing.  The rock pile has been assembled over time by hikers as a monument of sorts and is 6' tall.  It provides a good wind break as it is very windy and cold too!  I'm the first to reach the top but frankly, I am pretty sure had she been motivated, I would have been 2nd to Gina.  
Picture
Sheltering behind the monument, I load the ascent on to Strava and am thrilled with the results but the leaderboard is kind of small.  Probably only on average, 1 group a day attempts this hike. I can see all the way to at least Iowa from here!
Picture
The real prize is the views and the feeling of accomplishment that goes with finishing the effort.  After 15 minutes of gawking, I begin the steep descent.  I assume I will barely be able to walk the next day after this joint pounding effort.
Picture
A final look around.  I descend and meet the others coming up who wisely chose not to go into death march mode. The descent takes longer than the ascent and there were many piles of bear scat although later I was told they were from Javelinas.  Well, Javelinas can be dangerous too!  Finally, the grueling descent ends and Gina takes pity on me and gives me a lift to my car. About 2 hours later, I was sitting in the spa.  Damn did that feel good.  I was surprised to discover my legs felt pretty good this morning so will do a short ride.  A cold front moved through Sunday evening so the highs for a couple of days will only be in the 60's.  
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 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.