The Cleaver.....almost

On the west side of the Catalinas, the main peaks are Table, Bighorn, Cleaver and Push.  The Cleaver is accessed from the east via at first Pima Canyon Trail prior to making an abrupt left turn into the wilderness.  It is serious bushwhacking.

The 1.6 miles on the trail are easy hiking and for this adventure I brought a hiking friend, Liane.  She is usually up for any hike but this proved to be a bridge too far.

Hey, see that small grove of trees having yellow leaves?  Fall has arrived in Tucson even though the 70 degree temperature suggested otherwise.

Descriptions I have read, stated to follow the trail for 1.6 miles and then.....

….plunge into a thicket of catclaw and other pointy plants.  The going was, in a word, slow.

Hey, how about that, animal bones.

My hiking buddy was not faring all that well.  I used every encouraging word in my vocabulary to try to keep her motivated.  I should have brought a book of synonyms.  

A Century plant that had toppled over leaves an interesting cluster.

Liane...Liane....some where in that brush is a hiker whose interest has waned.  On the other hand, having started at 9am, it was too late for a hike of this type.  While I gave her some good natured ribbing for wanting to turn around, had we kept going, it is unlikely we would have had time to make the peak.

I had double knotted my shoes and they didn't survive the conditions so had to retie them a time or two.

Wow, easier going as we emerged at the head of a boulder field.  Finished with 4.7 miles after hiking 4+ hours.